326 MANUAL OF FARM ANIMALS 



EQUIPMENT FOR WINTER FEEDING 



The equipment for feeding cattle in the winter deserves 

 special attention ; not that it is difhcult or expensive but 

 that the proper kind of equipment is often neglected and 

 much money expended for items that are not only unnecessary 

 but positively objectionable. The most particular item is 

 that of efficient shelter. Other items are the feed-lot and its 

 location, the racks from which to feed dry forage, and the 

 like. 



Shelter for winter feeding. — While it is essential to provide 

 warm winter quarters for the dairy cow, because she is thin in 

 flesh and because of the nature of her product, such warm 

 quarters are not necessary for the fattening steer. The fat- 

 tening steer possesses a coat of fat or flesh which serves to 

 protect him from the cold, and when on full feed the heat gen- 

 erated in the body by masticating, digesting, and assimilating 

 the food is sufficient to maintain the body temperature. No 

 doubt the needs of the fattening animal are such as to make a 

 reasonable amount of cold air beneficial rather than detrimental. 

 But it is very desirable that the fattening steer be kept dry 

 and provided with a comfortable dry bed. Dry quarters are 

 far more important than warm quarters. A structure which 

 protects the animals from the rain and snow and provides 

 them with a dry comfortable bed is sufficient. 



Waters, who has thoroughly investigated the shelter prob- 

 lem, concludes his work as follows : "Apparently then the only 

 shelter required for cattle of this class is that which will protect 

 them from rain and snow and break the northwest winds and 

 furnish a dry place in which the animals may lie down. It is 

 more important that the fattening animal lie down regularly 

 and during a large portion of the time than that he be pro- 

 tected from the cold. An abundance of sunshine and fresh air, 

 a comfortable place in which to lie, and freedom from external 



