LECTURE XLVII. 



FEED, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE BREEDING 

 FLOCK, THE WINTER SEASON. 



Sheep will eat and do well on almost any of the common 

 grains and roughage that are grown on the average farm. 

 The great trouble, however, is to get fodders in a palatable 

 condition for them. If the flock enters winter quarters in 

 good flesh, and have access to well cured fodders, such as 

 clover and alfalfa hay, native and millet hay and roots, very 

 little, if any, grain need be fed until near lambing time. 

 On the other hand, if the flock is in thin condition when 

 they enter their winter quarters, no time should be lost in 

 getting them in better condition if a good crop of lambs is 

 expected. 



There is a wide variation in the rations which are fed 

 throughout the country. For instance, the shepherds of the 

 east think the roots are indispensable, while in the west 

 many shepherds think they can winter their flocks fully as 

 well without roots. No doubt too many roots or other foods 

 of a similar nature are not advisable; however, the most 

 practical shepherds find that a few roots judiciously fed in 

 connection with nutritious foods, such as bran, oats and clover 

 hay, make a splendid ration for ewes in lamb. A ration com- 

 posed of equal parts oats, bran and corn, with a small quan- 

 tity of oil meal, will give surprisingly good results. About 

 one-half pound of the above mixture fed daily to sheep in 

 conjunction with plenty well cured fodder will be sufficient 

 to keep the flock in a thrifty condition. Clover and alfalfa 

 hay are the best kinds of roughage; however, corn fodder 

 may be fed in the corn belt section of the country very eco- 

 nomically and satisfactorily. When corn fodder is fed it 

 should be scattered in large lots, or better still, in sod fields. 

 Sheaf oats also make a very desirable grain and fodder ration, 

 if cut and cured while they are still a trifle green. When 

 the grain is fed in this manner the weak and strong or 



