We are indebted to Mr. Cole, editor of the New England Farmer, for the
following article, which is worthy the attention of the reader:--
"Quietude and warmth contribute greatly to the fattening process. This
is a fact which has not only been developed by science, but proved by
actual practice. The manner in which these agents operate is simple, and
easily explained. Motion increases respiration, and the excess of
oxygen, thus taken, requires an increased quantity of carbon, which
would otherwise be expended in producing fat. So, likewise, _cold robs
the system of animal heat_; to supply which, more oxygen and more carbon
must be employed in extra combustion, to restore the diminution of
temperature. Nature enforces the restoration of warmth, by causing cold
to produce both hunger and a disposition for motion, supplying carbon by
the gratification of the former, and oxygen by the indulgence of the
latter. The above facts are illustrated by Lord Ducie:--
"One hundred sheep were placed in a shed, and ate twenty pounds of
Swedish turnips each per day; whilst another hundred, in the open air,
ate twenty-five pounds each; and at that rate for a certain period: the
former animals weighed each thirty pounds more than the latter; plainly
showing that, to a certain extent, _warmth is a substitute for food_.
This was also proved, by the same nobleman, in other experiments, which
also illustrated the effect of exercise.
"No. 1. Five sheep were fed in the open air, between the 21st of
November and the 1st of December. They consumed ninety pounds of food
per day, the temperature being 44 deg.. At the end of this time, they
weighed two pounds less than when first exposed.
"No. 2. Five sheep were placed under shelter, and allowed to run at a
temperature of 49 deg.. They consumed at first eighty-two pounds, then
seventy pounds, and increased in weight twenty-three pounds.
"No. 3. Five sheep were placed in the same shed, but not allowed any
exercise. They ate at first sixty-four pounds, then fifty-eight pounds,
and increased in weight thirty pounds.
"No. 4. Five sheep were kept in the dark, quiet and covered. They ate
thirty-five pounds per day, and increased in weight eight pounds.
"A similar experiment was tried by Mr. Childers, M. P. He states, that
eighty Leicester sheep, in the open field, consumed fifty baskets of cut
turnips per day, besides oil cake. On putting them in a shed, they were
immediately able to consume only thirty baskets, and soon after but
twenty-five, being only one half the quantity required before; and yet
they fattened as rapidly as when eating the largest quantity.
"From these experiments, it appears that the least quantity of food,
which is required for fattening, is when animals are kept closely
confined in warm shelters; and the greatest quantity when running at
large, exposed to all weather. But, although animals will fatten faster
for a certain time without exercise than with it, if they are closely
confined for any considerable time, and are at the same time full fed,
they become, in some measure, feverish; the proportion of fat becomes
too large, and the meat is not so palatable and healthy as when they are
allowed moderate exercise, in yards or small fields.
"As to the kinds of food which may be used most advantageously in
fattening, this will generally depend upon what is raised upon the farm,
it being preferable, in most cases, to use the produce of the farm.
Sheep prefer beans to almost any other grain; but neither beans nor peas
are so fattening as some other grains, and are used most advantageously
along with them. Beans, peas, oats, barley, rye, buckwheat, &c., may be
used along with Indian corn, or oil cake, or succulent food, making
various changes and mixtures, in order to furnish the variety of food
which is so much relished by the sheep, and which should ever be
attended to by the sheep fattener. This will prevent their being cloyed,
and will hasten the fattening process. A variety of food, says Mr.
Spooner, operates like cookery in the human subject, enabling more
sustenance to be taken.
"The quantity of grain or succulent food, which it will be proper to
feed, will depend upon the size, age, and condition of the sheep; and
judgment must be used in ascertaining how much they can bear. Mr.
Childers states that sheep (New Leicester) fed with the addition of half
a pint of barley per sheep, per day, half a pound of linseed oil cake,
with hay, and a constant supply of salt, became ready for the butcher
in ten weeks; the gain of flesh and tallow, thirty-three pounds to forty
pounds per head. (One sheep gained fifty-five pounds in twelve weeks.)
"This experiment shows what is about the largest amount of grain which
it is necessary or proper to feed to New Leicester sheep, at any time
while fattening. The average weight of forty New Leicester wethers,
before fattening, was found by Mr. Childers to be one hundred and
twenty-eight pounds each. By weighing an average lot of any other kind
of sheep, which are to be fattened, and by reference to the table of
comparative nutriment of the different kinds of food, a calculation may
be readily made, as to the largest amount, which will be necessary for
them, of any article of food whatever.
"When sheep are first put up for fattening, they should be sorted, when
convenient, so as to put those of the same age, size, and condition,
each by themselves, so that each may have a fair chance to obtain its
proportion of food, and may be fed the proper length of time.
"They should be fed moderately at first, gradually increasing the
quantity to the largest amount, and making the proper changes of food,
so as not to cloy them, nor produce acute diseases of the head or
intestines, and never feeding so much as to scour them.
"Sheep, when fattening, should not be fed oftener than three times a
day, viz., morning, noon, and evening. In the intervals between feeding,
they may fill themselves well, and will have time sufficient for
rumination and digestion: these processes are interrupted by too
frequent feeding. But they should be fed with regularity, both as to the
quantity of food and the time when it is given. When convenient, they
should have access to water at all times; otherwise a full supply of it
should be furnished to them immediately after they have consumed each
foddering.
"When sheep become extremely fat, whether purposely or not, it is
generally expedient to slaughter them. Permitting animals to become
alternately very fat and lean is injurious to all stock. Therefore, if
animals are too strongly inclined to fatten at an age when wanted for
breeding, their condition as to flesh should be regulated by the
quantity and quality of their food or pasture."