CHAPTER XXXVII. 



JUDGING FEEDER SHEEP. 



FEEDER sheep are those that are purchased in thin flesh, 

 to be fed and finished as fat mutton. When classed as 

 prime feeders, they furnish fine examples of mutton sheep. 

 However, nearly all of the feeder sheep in the large markets 

 are from the western ranges, and they contain considerable 

 blood that is not representative of what has been described 

 as mutton type. Therefore, when one is purchasing feeder 

 sheep, he should bear in mind that he is selecting what is 

 to be finished off, when fat, into a high class mutton type. 

 The feeder sheep should possess certain essentials if the 

 desired finish is to be secured. 



The conformation of the feeder sheep should show a 

 wide, short head and neck; full chest; strong, wide back 

 and loin ; long, level rump ; wide leg of mutton, and com- 

 paratively short legs. At time of purchase this sheep will 

 have a strong frame, full in its points, but lean of flesh. 

 A deep middle, showing digestive capacity, is highly im- 

 portant. This frame is finally to be smoothed over and 

 rounded out with flesh, presenting quite a different appear- 

 ance from that seen in the same sheep four months before. 

 In selecting this feeder, one must not lose sight of the es- 

 sentials required in a fat animal. In judging this class, 

 place a premium on size with quality, consistent with 

 market demands. Look for a low-set type of lamb, broad 

 and deep, of medium length, and showing strong consti- 

 tution. The lamb of medium length promises more in the 

 way of early maturity than either the long or abnormally 

 short-bodied one. The former often feeds somewhat slowly, 

 while the latter has a conformation that lacks the stretch 

 that goes with the more responsive, profitable feeder. It 



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