FATTENING SHEEP AND LAMBS IN WINTER 219 



jected because of coarseness or for other reasons. Lawes 

 and Gibbert found that sheep consumed food approx- 

 imately in proportion to their respective weights. It is 

 probably true that breed exercises no other influence on 

 food consumption than that which results from variation 

 in size. 



The following observations, general in character, ap- 

 ply to the feeding of sheep on a finishing ration in winter ; 

 (i) The aim should be to have the feeding racks placed 

 under cover except in climates dry and comparatively free 

 from winter storms. The rack space for lambs should 

 give from 8 to 12 inches to each lamb, and for older sheep 

 proportionately more. (2) More commonly the food is 

 given in two feeds daily — that is, morning and evening — 

 and the aim should be to give the food after morning has 

 dawned and before the darkness of night has come. The 

 work of feeding is thus more expeditiously done, and the 

 resting of the sheep is not thus disturbed. (3) Care 

 should be taken to clean out all the food usually before 

 giving other food. The remnant left, if any, may be used 

 for bedding or fed to other stock, according to the quality. 

 The influence on food consumption will be helpful. But, 

 of course, when sheep are fed on the self-feeding plan 

 such removal of rejected food is not entirely practicable. 

 (4) Much care should be exercised in observing regular- 

 ity in feeding. Sheep cannot be made to consume food 

 exactly fitted to their needs when they are fed irregu- 

 larly. (5) The aim should be to keep them as free as 

 possible from disturbing influences. They are very timid, 

 and unless accustomed to the presence of strangers, as 

 when fed at experiment stations, such visitations, and in 

 a greater degree the presence of dogs, will hinder their 

 gains. (6) They should be given access to salt at all 

 times, kept in boxes under cover, and in a condition free 

 from incrustation. When given irregularly the animals 

 will then drink too much water to make good increase. 

 (7) Water must be plentifully supplied, and of good 



