EQUIP.MEXT FOR FEEDIXG 



241 



the cattle and the way the feed is prepared. If whole 

 corn is fed, one pig per steer is about the right proportion. 

 Equipment. — Feeding beef cattle does not require ex- 

 pensive equipment. All tests show that steers do best 

 under conditions where they have plenty of freedom. The 

 fattening steer is protected by a heavy coat of hair, and 

 when he becomes fat, the layer of fat is of itself a protec- 



Fig. 89. — Typical heavy load of fat steers. 



tion against cold. He is also evolving a great deal of 

 heat in building up tissue and taking care of his food. 

 The experience of feeders is that the steers do better in 

 steady, cold weather than in warm, soft, muggy, or change- 

 able weather. 



Barns or Open Sheds. — Barns are handier for feeding, 

 but an open shed, well bedded and dry, with a south and 

 east exposure, gives the best satisfaction. Some feeders 

 prefer to provide the cattle only with windbreaks. This 

 is good practice in the southern part of the corn belt, but 

 on its northern edge the cattle are better off if provided 



T. .\XD L. .^XIMAL HUSB. 1 5 



