396 Missouri Agricultural Report. 



Seventh — Feed ewes green food, such as ensilage, turnips, 

 carrots, mangels, etc., with some corn." 



After the ewe has gotten with lamb her care during preg- 

 nancy, which is during the summer months, is comparatively 

 simple. Good pasture is essential, and this may be supplied by 

 clover, alfalfa, blue grass or forage crops of some sort. A pasture 

 of any of these will furnish ample feed, but here, as with the or- 

 dinary flock there is danger of parasitic troubles. This is with 

 all sheep best avoided by frequent change of pasture. Good, pure 

 water is a requisite best supplied by clean watering troughs filled 

 from an underground source, or a reservoir, which has not been 

 subject to contamination. Shade must be supplied, but whether 

 it be trees or shed, the ground beneath it should be frequently dis- 

 infected to prevent the development of parasites, which are sure 

 to be present where sheep spend so much time as they naturally 

 do during summer under shade of any kind. 



LAMBING TIME. 



Ewes do not need grain before lambing if good pasture is 

 available. They should approach their parturition in strong and 

 healthy condition, but not too fat. This care should be similar to 

 that of any ewe at lambing time. She should be given a pen to 

 herself. Close attention on the part of the shepherd is essential, 

 yet ewes at this time should be alone, unless they need help. As- 

 sistance should be given only after unsuccessful attempts on the 

 part of the ewe to give birth to her offspring, and, when necessary, 

 no time should be lost in administering aid. After lambing, the 

 ewe's udder should be watched closely, and any milk not taken by 

 the lamb should be hand drawn to prevent udder trouble. 



CARE OF LAMBS. 



The care of fall lambs does not greatly differ from that of other 

 lambs. Mother and offspring should be kept by themselves until 

 the lamb is strong enough to be turned with the other ewes and 

 lambs. The object is to grow and fatten these lambs as rapidly as 

 possible, consequently they should have a grain ration as soon as 

 they will eat. A satisfactory grain ration consists of oats, corn 

 and bran, one-third each, by weight, the oats being crushed and 

 corn being ground. This should be fed by building a lamb creep in 

 which the grain is placed. A creep may be made by fastening up- 

 right boards six or eight inches apart, as a partition between two 



