HOTHOUSE LAMBS 235 



Quality and high finish are essential to the securing 

 of high prices for this product, and this method of 

 marketing them avoids the loss of quality which is 

 sure to follow the marketing of milk-fed animals on 

 the hoof. 



WEIGHT FOR MARKET 



Winter lamb production is not a difficult proposi- 

 tion, although the farmer must be prepared to take 

 the best of care of his sheep, and must be willing 

 to spend considerable extra effort upon details. 

 Lambs properly managed and well nourished 

 should gain one pound per day from the day of 

 birth until marketed. Just what weight is best for 

 marketing is a matter of some uncertainty, rang- 

 ing from 45 to 60 pounds. 



PROFITS 



Since not infrequently as much as 25 cents per 

 pound dressed weight is realized for them it can be 

 seen that the profits are quite large. Each lamb 

 may net from $8 to $12. These prices can be 

 secured only by having the lambs ready for market 

 at the time when the greatest demand exists. If 

 they are finished too early and sold during the 

 holiday season they come in competition with the 

 immense quantities of poultry annually fattened for 

 the Christmas market. On the other hand, if they 

 are offered for sale too late in the season, they will 

 have to compete with feed-lot lambs and thus the 

 high prices will not be realized. This period be- 

 tween the holidays and the first appearance of corn- 

 fed lambs, including January and most of February, 

 is the time when farmers should plan to market 



