316 



Feeds and Feeding. 



ment. This is supposing that the coats of the cattle are kept dry. 

 It is probable that the radiation of heat by an animal with a wet skin 

 is in excess of the heat produced incidentally or as a natural result 

 of the mechanical and chemical processes occurring in the body. In 

 that case a portion of the food would have to be used to supply the 

 heat to keep the animal warm. It is of more importance that fatten- 

 ing animals lie down regularly and during a large portion of the 

 time than that they be protected from the cold. Abundance of sun- 

 shine and fresh air, a comfortable place in which to lie, and freedom 

 from all external disturbances are ideal conditions for large and 

 economical gains." (93, 104, 828) 



496. Loose v. tied steers. — At the Ontario Station^ Day found 

 that box-fed steers made larger and cheaper gains, had better ap- 

 petites, and did not get off feed as easily as tied steers. Trials at 

 the Ottawa Station- by Grisdale were decidedly in favor of loose 

 box feeding. 



497. Self-feeder. — By the use of a large receptacle called a self-' 

 feeder, cattle may be supplied with concentrates twice a week. At 

 the Illinois Station'* Mumford and Allison fed 2 lots, each of 17 

 fleshy 3-yr.-old steers, the following rations for 89 days. Lot I was 

 fed whole clover hay and concentrates separately at regular feeding 

 periods twice daily, while Lot II was supplied chaffed (cut) hay 

 mixed with the concentrates, the whole being fed in a self-feeder to 

 which the cattle had access at all times. 



Value of the self-feeder for fattening steers. 



The table shows that the self-fed steers made larger gains than 

 those fed by hand, and required 61 lbs. less hay for 100 lbs. gain. 

 The self-fed steers consumed a heavier concentrate allowance, and 

 were brought to full feed in a shorter time without any setback by 



Rpt. 1907 



- Ept. 1904. 



Bui. 142. 



