FATTENING SHEEP AND LAMBS IN WINTER 225 



usually irrigated which produce alfalfa in great abun- 

 dance. In some instances they are fed somewhat similarly 

 in states which border on the range country to the east. 

 Many thousands are fattened simultaneously at some of 

 these feeding stations. 



Usually the yards are so arranged that only half the 

 number are occupied at one time. This arrangement is 

 intended to furnish the opportunity to replenish the feed 

 racks in the yards not occupied. In other instances the 

 grain is fed in self-feeders, but the sheep are only allowed 

 to eat for a limited time, when another lot is admitted. 

 In many instances the yards are arranged on both sides 

 of a driveway for convenience in feeding the hay. No 

 shelter is provided other than what will ward oflf the 

 wind. Salt is continually before them and water is always 

 accessible. In each yard from 400 to 500 sheep are fed. 



In some instances the hay is fed on the ground on the 

 two sides of the driveway. From day to day it is strewn 

 along the fences. The sheep eat it by putting the head 

 through a 7 or 8-inch space between the boards in the 

 fence. In other instances it is fed in wide racks in the 

 yards, as wide as, say, 12 to 18 feet. The 8-inch boards 

 that form the sides of these racks run lengthwise, and the 

 sheep take the hay through the openings between them. 

 As the hay is eaten it is pushed forward. In yet other 

 instances the stacks are placed close up to the outer fence, 

 and as it is eaten it also is pushed forward. 



More commonly the grain is fed in limited supply. 

 The necessity for feeding it thus arises from the fact that 

 usually corn is fed with sometimes a small percentage of 

 oilcake in it. Unlimited access to such food would be 

 attended with hazard. It is fed at first in small quantities, 

 and in few instances does the amount fed exceed one and 

 one-half pounds each day for mature sheep when on full feed. 



As the food is all dry, large amounts of water are 

 consumed, which is usually pumped up fresh by wind- 

 mills from day to day. When fattening sheep and lambs 



