BREEDING FARM ANIMALS 561 



It frequently happens that desirable pure-bred animals are grown on the 

 farm, but their registration is not completed. Such practice is well enough 

 where only market animals are being produced. There may come a time, 

 however, when the breeder will desire to sell animals as breeders. Buyers 

 of pure-bred cattle require the registration to be complete in order that 

 they may sell any offspring produced from such animals for breeding pur- 

 poses. Registration involves only a small amount of time and expense, 

 but is a practice that is well worth while. 



Preparation and Shipping of Livestock. — All livestock, whether 

 breeding animals or market animals, should be in the very best of con- 

 dition when shipped. If pure-bred stock is shipped by express, it should 

 be properly crated. If shipped by freight, it should be properly tied 

 and bedded. If the animals arrive in good condition, the purchaser will 

 gain a good impression of them upon first inspection. If they arrive in 

 poor condition due to careless preparation, the buyer as a rule will not be 

 satisfied and probably will not make another purchase. In selling pure- 

 bred livestock by mail, it is always a wise plan not to praise too highly 

 the animals that are offered for sale. It is much better to have the pur- 

 chaser find the animals that are shipped him better than he expected. 

 Such practice usually makes more sales and is a good means of advertising. 

 If a customer is not satisfied with the animals shipped, the breeder should 

 always make it a point to satisfy his customer either by refunding the 

 purchase price and the expense of shipping or by shipping another animal. 



Cattle, hogs or sheep when shipped to market should be started in as 

 near normal condition as possible. Some farmers salt heavily before ship- 

 ping in order to get the proper "fill" on the market. Cattle salted just 

 before they are shipped will arrive on the market in poor condition. They 

 will be feverish, will drink very little water, will not eat much hay and will 

 also be apt to scour. Cattle in such a condition usually sell at a discount. 

 The car in which the livestock is to be loaded should be well bedded and 

 in the case of cattle, the racks should be filled with hay so they can eat 

 while en route. Always ship the livestock so as to reach the market early 

 in the week, as there is usually more active buying at that time than later 

 in the week. 



REFERENCES 



"Manual of Farm Animals." Harper. 



"Types and Breeds of Farm Animals." Plumb. 



"Beginnings in Animal Husbandry." Plumb. 



"Productive Feeding of Farm Animals." Woll. 



"Animal Breeding." Shaw. 



"Feeding and Management of Farm Animals." Shaw. 



Farmers' Bulletin 350, U. S. Department of Agriculture. "Dehorning of Cattle." 



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