242 Animal Husbandry 
890. Fattening lambs in winter. — By far the greater number of 
lambs are fattened during the winter season. The methods 
employed differ fundamentally in different localities. In the 
West, little or no attention is paid to shelter; in the corn-belt, 
much attention is given to the shelter, at least to protect the lambs 
from the rain, snow, and storm, and to provide them dry footing 
and exercise; in the East, where lamb-feeding is rapidly develop- 
ing, shelter is considered essential. 
391. Feeding in the semi-arid West. — Large flocks of lambs 
are shipped from the ranges to points where alfalfa hay is available. 
Here the sheep are confined in corrals which are divided into lots 
containing approximately 500 head. No shelter is provided other 
than that furnished by the fence, or the alfalfa hay, which is often 
stacked near by. Rain and snow storms are rather infrequent, 
and it is felt that the loss occasioned by the lack of protection is 
less expensive than shelter. These corrals provide accommoda- 
tions for many thousands of sheep. To save labor in feeding, the 
lots are arranged in rows, with feeding lanes between. In these 
lanes the hay is stacked and fed out each morning and evening. 
Sometimes the fence has a space between the first and second 
boards large enough for the sheep to introduce its head, and the 
rack is arranged on the stack side of the’ fence. In each lot are 
placed rows of grain troughs sufficient to accommodate the entire 
flock. These lots are provided with water, often pumped by 
windmills, though sometimes by hand or with an engine. Salt 
is kept before the animals at all times. In this way, one man can 
care for 2000 or more head of sheep. 
392. Feeding in the corn-belt.— In the corn-belt the prac- 
tice is entirely different; few sheep are fed by great numbers 
of farmers. Here feed, both grain and hay, is very abundant, 
but the climate is the objectionable element. Sheep need dry 
coats and dry footing. The dripping skies’ of the corn-belt 
make this impossible, without providing shelter from the rain 
and snow. 
