252 The Manafjement of Sheep Stock 



lamb to scour. Constant attention is required to ascertain that 

 the lamb thrives, for great evil results if it goes wrong only 

 for a day or two. The lambs, now some weeks old, may lie out 

 at nights during fair weather ; but if it is very rough and wet, 

 some shelter is most desirable. A few thatched hurdles properly 

 fixed will form a useful shelter.* There cannot be a more insane 

 policy than underfeeding ewes and lambs ; if, therefore, our 

 natural produce run short, we must increase the quantity of 

 artificial food. Bruised oats and bran, when cheap, are excellent 

 materials to add to the mixture already named. As soon as the 

 lamb can eat, it shoukl be allowed to run through lamb hurdles, 

 and nibble the turnip-tops, or have the first pick at the natural 

 grass, rye, or whatever food we are consuming, and at the same 

 time be introduced to artificial food. A mixture of dust oilcake, 

 nut-mea], bran, and bruised oats will be very suitable, to which 

 we might add a small percentage of ground locust-beans, malt, 

 or coarse sugar. 



The troughs should be so made that, whilst the lamb can freely 

 feed, it cannot get into the troughs. I have effected this by nailing 

 round spars from the side to a middle rail, at such distances as 

 to allow the head only to enter. The (juantity of such food at first 

 consumed will l)e very small, but the animal soon learns to eat; 

 and this knowledge is a solac{> when the milk lalls off, or when 

 the critical period of weaning has arrived. Before that time has 

 come we may safely let them have as much artificial food as they 

 can consume, taking care to have plenty of trough room. 



It is desirable that the ewes and lambs should have a 

 change of food. On an arable farm we should have rye, or, 

 perhaps, Italian rye-grass, Trifolium incarnatum, mixed seeds, 

 and the earlier crops of winter vetches, to be followed by spring 

 turnips. With all these crops a feed of mangold may be advan- 

 tageously used. 



Weaning may take place when the ewes and lambs are on 

 winter vetches. Early weaning is best for both ewe and lamb. 

 If the lambs at three months old can cat corn, and we have a 

 prospect of supplying suitable food, then wean. But rules are 

 useless, as different breeds require diffierent treatment, and we can 

 only state what we believe to be generally true. Castration should 

 take place before this. I prefer searing at about eight or ten 

 weeks, as a safer and more humane practice than drawing. The 

 success of the latter process is much influenced by weather ; when 

 the wind sets in very cold losses are common ; whereas, whatever 

 the weather, I have never lost a lamb from searing. Another 



* An old Avaggon, half loaded with straw, forms a useful addition to these 

 shelter hurdles.— P. H. F. 



