The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1884-11-07
Feeding Sheep for Market.

A subscriber at Superior, Neb., writes
us to give an article upon this topic.
and, although we have often discussed
it, vet we must run the risk of some
repetition, that all our widely distribut-
ed readers may find the instruction their
specialties require. Our correspondent
is in Nuckolls County, which lies along
the Northern border of Kansas, and is a
fine grazing county, having nutritious
pasturage, where sheep should thrive
finely. and be in proper condition at the
beginning of cold weather for winter
fattening for market. When drafts are
to be made from flock for fattening in
winter, only the best feeders should be
selected. Thin, unthrifty sheep should
always be started by extra feeding upon
pasture, and this should be done early
in fall. The extra food will then have
much greater effect than in cold
weather.
When the fattening sheep have been
selected, they should be sheltered in
corrals. The best results from feeding
can never be had in the open air during
cold winter, or in storms. Great regu-
larity in feeding and uniform ration
must be observed, If steady progress il
to be made.
Success in fattening sheep for market
depends very largely upon the sheep to
be fed. and therefore the exercise of the
best Judgment in the selections is most
important. Our correspondent has, no
doubt, large numbers of sheep to select
from, which will give him the best facil-
ity for choosing successful feeders. 1t
is very important for regular feeders of
sheep for market to establish reputa-
ton for sending only the best fattened
sheep to market. This reputation gives
standard value to his brand. greatly
facilitates sales, secures top prices, and
decidedly adds to the profits Of the BUSH
ness.
Having selected the sheep for feed
ing, and provided proper shelter, we
must determine the method of feeding
for market. The details Of this will de-
pend somewhat upon the length of time
the locality has been settled, whether
the fodder consists of straw or hay.
With plenty Of good hay, Of cultivated
or wild grasses, corn alone may be sue
cessfully used as the grain food. The
hay will supply the lack of albuminoids
in the corn. One pound to one and :
half pounds of corn, according to size
of the sheep, viii be required, with
what hay they win eat clean. This
corn ration should be divided. half
given in the morning. and the other at
four p. m.
II the feeder he's good troughs, the
best wsy i to spread . thin layer of
hay in the bottom Of the trough, and
then spread the corn on this, so that
the sheep win eat some of the hay with
the corn; this will cause most Of the
corn to be remastic4ted with the cud.
If wheat bran and middlings are cheap
er than corn, then feed one-haH pound
of these with one pound of corn.
Should hay be scarce and straw plenty,
straw may be successfully used to fatten
sheep. hut with straw some very nj
trogenous food must be given-such as
one-half pound Of oil meal with one
pound of corn per day, and all the straw
they will eat, with water regularly
given. Oil cake or meal ought to be
purchased At the western mills ut about
$40 per ton. But If oil meal is not to
be had at = reasonable prise, then feed
oats and corn half and halt, or wheat
middlings and corn. Buckwheat is
often fed to sheep when cheap. The
celebrated New York sheep-feeder,
John johnston. eften successfully fed
buckwhcat. The feeder can never feed
too great variety Of food. It's good
plan to mix three o. four kinds Of grain
together for feeding sheep. Sheep are
fond of : variety q food, and will keep