

Live Stock Breeders' Association. 177 



We have yet much to learn regarding the fundamental facts of 

 animal nutrition. The farmer would like to know, for example, 

 whether it is on the whole more profitable to feed calves, colts, 

 lambs and pigs a generous ration of nutritious concentrates like 

 grain, from birth to time of selling, or whether it may not be more 

 profitable to feed animals on cheaper rations requiring a longer 

 time to properly develop the animal. The feeder is also interested 

 to know what is the profitable amount of grain above mere main- 

 tenance which can be fed profitably. 



While there are still unsolved problems the stations have suc- 

 cessfully established certain principles of feeding, which are of 

 great value in determining the most profitable methods of feeding 

 all kinds of domestic animals. It will not be possible in the limits 

 of this article to cover completely the whole subject of sheep feed- 

 ing. We can but hope to point out some of the principle facts which 

 should govern our practices. In general, we may divide the sub- 

 ject of sheep feeding into three classes : 



(1) The feeding of breeding animals. 



(2) The feeding of young lambs. 



(3) The finishing of partly grown lambs or of wethers by full 

 feeding with grain. 



FEEDING OF BREEDING EWES. 



There are certain fundamental principles which govern the 

 care and handling of all breeding animals. It is a mistaken idea 

 that sparse feeding is favorable to reproduction. It is, however, 

 true that a method of feeding which induces excessive fatness is 

 unfavorable to reproduction. A full and generous supply of food 

 throughout the year is the best possible practice for handling the 

 breeding ewe. 



-Another point that is often overlooked in the handling of the 

 ewe flock, particularly in winter feeding, is exercise. It is in the 

 highest degree unwise to take a flock from summer pasture, where 

 they have enjoyed unlimited freedom and constant exercise, and 

 shut them in a small yard and keep them there the entire winter. 

 The ewe flock should be insured a constant and regular amount of 

 exercise throughout the year. 



SUMMER FEEDING OF BREEDING FLOCK. 



Under ordinary conditions there is no need of feeding grain 

 to breeding ewes in summer. The sheep is one of the most success- 



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