268 



PRODUCTIVE FEEDING OF FARM ANIMALS 



Use of Self-feeder. — A self-feeder is a labor-saving device for 

 feeding grain feeds to stock (Fig. 6-t). It consists of a feed box that 

 holds a considerable quantity of grain or other concentrates ; the feed 

 passes from the box into the feed trough below as this is emptied 

 by the cattle, and the supply has only to be replenished at inter- 



■!■-. n\ «jji <gg^»2g4sj ESSE 



-■'-' •' Lammas' 



Fig. 63. — Beef cattle fattened on corn, fed in large, flat troughs. ("Productive Farming," 



Davis.) 



vals. It may also be used for feeding steers a mixture of grain 

 feeds, or cut hay mixed with grain. The self-feeder is used by 

 cattle men in different localities with varying success ; no automatic 

 system of feeding cattle or other animals can, however, give the best 

 results for any length of time, for " the eye of the master fattens 



Fig. 64. — The self-feeder is used by many farmers in the corn belt States for feeding 

 corn or grain mixtures to fattening steers. Hogs are generally kept with the steers. (Breed- 

 ers' Gazette.) 



his cattle," and the self-feeder can only be looked upon as an aid in 

 economizing skilled labor in feeding operations. Cattle men have 

 reported both success and failure with self-feeders. It appears 

 that, on the whole, they may serve a useful purpose if properly 

 constructed 18 and the cattle are put on a maximum grain feed 



18 See Mumford, " Beef Production," p. 149. 



