862 AgriGultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. 



likely it is to have unfavourable results. Experience with the particular 

 fodders used and the conditions existent on each holding must serve as the 

 owner's guide. 



It is plain that prevention of such mortality as is under consideration 

 depends on the supply of food which will counterbalance both the lack of 

 nutritive quality and the astringent nature of the scrubs and rough, dry 

 fodders. Although to prevent all ill effects this must be undertaken 

 throughout the period of dry feeding, it is remarkable how rapidly sheep 

 will recover from very severe loss of tone and impaction — even after deaths 

 have occurred in the flock from these causes — if the food is changed. Loss 

 of lambs through deficiency of milk in the ewes (an indirect effect of the 

 trouble discussed) may also be guarded against at the same time by use of 

 the same measures. 



The most useful way of considering the question of measures likely to 

 prevent losses will be to take in turn the various feeding materials used in 

 carrying sheep through a dry time and to note their value, and the most 

 satisfactory method of utilising them. In doing so it must be borne in 

 mind that financial considerations and the number of sheep to be dealt with 

 must modify the decision on these points to a degree varying with any 

 particular case. 



Oats. — While this is a very ^ood grain food for sheep, it does not appear 

 to equal maize; as a sole food, owing to its larger husk content, it is superioE 

 to wheat. It is usually fed either by scattering or in troughs, but (as with 

 all grains) scattering has considerable drawbacks, as a certain quantity 

 is wasted, and in picking it up off the ground the sheep are bound to become 

 sanded to a certain extent. In some instances sanding has increased the ill 

 effects of impaction, if it has not directly caused mortality. It may be said 

 here that no grain alone can be a satisfactory feed for a ruminant animal 

 over long periods, and the fact that sheep have been brought through certain 

 periods of drought on a grain ration does not invalidate this fact. Owing 

 to its comparatively high nitrogen content oats form a useful adjunct to 

 silage, straw, and chaff feeding. 



Maize. — This appears to be about the most suitable grain to feed to 

 sheep, and owing to its larger size there is probably less lost in scattering 

 it than is the case with oats and wheat. It does not alone provide such a 

 balanced feed as oats, however. It will give better results if fed with 

 lucerne chaff than with oaten or wheaten, or a small ration of meal may 

 be combined with the wheaten chaff to create the balance. 



Wheat. — Much used in feeding sheep by both methods. Pretty well 

 equal in value to maize. Best if fed with lucerne chaff. General remarks 

 on oats as feed apply to maize and wheat also. 



Bran. — A most valuable feed for breeding ewes. Keeps the digestive 

 tract in good order, and, being fairly rich in nitrogenous matter, can be 

 used with oaten or wheaten chaff without the addition of graiu. A small 

 chaff and bran ration of roughly equal parts, troiigh-fed, is very useful 

 when sheep are on scrub or dry innutritious fodder. 



