CHAPTER XIII. 



LENGTH OF THE FEEDING PERIOD 



WHAT SHOULD BE THE LENGTH OF THE FEEDING 

 PERIOD ? 



If this question were to be put to sheep and lamb 

 feeders there would be but little difference of opinion. 

 Experienced mutton producers look upon ten to fourteen 

 weeks as about the proper length of time to feed. Horse 

 feeders think one hundred days a desirable period for 

 fattening heavy horses for market. The length of the 

 cattle fattening period is extremely variable, ranging 

 from ninety days to twelve months, and either of these 

 periods or any time between these limits, may be con- 

 sidered good practice under certain conditions. If, for 

 example, six to eight months old calves were purchased 

 with a view of exhibiting at a fat stock show a year 

 hence, it would be necessary to get the calves on full 

 feed as quickly as it would be safe, and continue full 

 feeding up to show time. In case of "warmed up" or 

 fleshy feeders possessing considerable age they can be 

 put in marketable form in from ninety to one hundred 

 and twenty days. 



FACTORS AFFECTING LENGTH OF FATTENING PERIOD 

 The principal factors affecting the length of the feed- 

 ing period are, method of feeding, grade, condition, and 

 age of feeding cattle used. 



Method of Feeding: Where it is desired to feed a 

 large proportion of roughage to grain to feeding cattle, 

 the fattening process is slow. On the other hand the 

 feeding of large proportions of grain to roughage, or, in 

 other words, the feeding of a highly concentrated ration 

 usually shortens the fattening period. Forced feeding 



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