MANAGEMENT OF LAMBS. 123 



iiig, in a well-strawed, comfortable stable, is not worth rais- 

 ing. Some breeders make a practice of going round once in 

 two hours through the night during the lambing-season. 

 This may possibly be necessary among coarse breeds which 

 are accustomed to have twins ; for one of the pair is less 

 likely to be missed by its mother if it gets separated from 

 her. But, if the sheep are not extremely tame, more harm 

 than o^ood would result from disturbiuG;' them in the ni^ht. 



The best of care should be taken of ewes having lambs, 

 when shut up on dry feed, to produce a good flow of milk. 

 The best grain we ever tried is oats and corn, ground (two- 

 thirds oats), as it produces a large flow of milk, and keeps up 

 the strength of the ewes. Lambs, also, should be taught 

 to eat meal, which is easily done, when they are a week old, 

 as they will do far better, and are not as liable to die for 

 the lack of their natural hourishment (milk). Special care 

 should be taken to give your ewes an abundant supply of 

 Avater while suckling their lambs, as it is of the greatest 

 importance to keep up their flow of milk. 



Our experience in the care of new-born lambs may be of 

 some benefit to those not having had that experience, and 

 we desire to add a few words to our already too lengthy 

 report. If a lamb can help itself from the outset, it is much 

 better not to try in any way to assist it. If a ewe has an 

 abundance of milk, and stands kindly for her lamb to suckle, 

 and the latter is disposed to help itself, there is little danger ; 

 but if the lamb is weak, and makes no effort to help itself, 

 the shepherd should at once go to its aid. The ewe should 

 not be thrown down, if it can be avoided, but should stand 

 in her natural position. The teat should be placed in the 

 lamb's mouth, and its back and rump, about the roots of its 

 tail, rubbed lightly with the finger, which it mistakes for the 

 licking of its mother : this almost invariably produces an 

 effort to suckle. If it does not, a little milk should be milked 

 into its mouth, still keeping up the rubbing of its back with 

 the finger ; and, if this does not produce the desired effect, 

 the lamb is either a fool, or very obstinate ; but perseverance 

 and gentleness will always triumph. We should never use a 

 spoon or sucking-bottle, as it will cause the lamb to rely on 

 that kind of food, even if the mother has a full udder of 

 milk, which is far more natural, and much less trouble, than 



