392 Feeds and Feeding. 



stockman, prevents proper exercise, and conduces to a filthy ap- 

 pearance of the animal, thus working against the best gains and 

 the highest sale price. Crude as has been much of the open-yard 

 feeding in the West, the cattle so fed have really experienced 

 more comfort than had they been confined in the stable, as is 

 common in the East. The fattening steer places the excess food 

 in an increasing layer of fat under the skin, which retains the 

 heat. His food is heating in character, and, being in a plethoric ^ 

 condition, he much prefers the open air and sunshine with the 

 freedom of the yard, even in winter, to the confinement of the 

 stable with its foul air and cramped quarters. 



601. Feed racks. — Let the sheds be so constructed as to aflford 

 protection from the winds and driving storms. Either under the 

 shed, where accessible by wagon, or in an open lot which the shed 

 faces, and close by, arrange racks for fodder and boxes for grain. 

 It is not well to have feed boxes and fodder rack combined, since 

 the litter from the forage falling upon the feed renders it distaste- 

 ful to cattle with dainty appetites. 



602. Frequency of feeding. — There is nothing helpful on this 

 point from experiments, and when we turn to feeders for light we 

 find a diversity of opinion as to the proper practice. It is rea- 

 sonable that all young animals should be fed at least three times 

 a day, while those approaching maturity and not heavily fed are 

 amply provided for in two feeds. Maturing cattle prosper, and 

 perhaps do their best, when supplied grain but once a day, with 

 roughage to run to at pleasure. It is certain that many of the 

 best feeders at the West supply grain but once a day. The once- 

 fed steer goes to the trough with paunch well emptied and ap- 

 petite at the best; filling himself to the utmost, he has ample time 

 for rumination and subsequent digestion. 



603. Getting cattle to full feed. — The fattening steer should be 

 brought to full feed gradually, the time required in reaching that 

 point varying from one to two months. Steers which have pre- 

 viously been fed grain take to it readily, while those which have 

 always lived on roughage avA pastures must be carefully managed 

 in this particular. Young cattle are more difficult to bring to 

 fiill feed than mature ones. By supplying an abundance of rough- 



