192 LIVE STOCK MANAGEMENT. 



robust and greedy individuals get about equal shares of the 

 ration. 



Ewe lambs may be fed a ration similar to that of the 

 breeding ewes, but, if possible, a greater variety should be 

 given, as such is always relished by young things. The ram 

 lambs and breeding rams may be fed a liberal supply of grain 

 in conjunction with roughage, preferably of a nitrogenous 

 rather than of a carbonaceous nature. Corn should form a 

 small proportion of the grain ration, if other grains, such as 

 oats, wheat and barley, are available, or can be obtained as 

 cheap. Many other kinds of feed might be added to the 

 above, and several variations might be necessary in order to 

 comply with the conditions and feeds in some local districts. 



Pure water should be supplied at all times; and salt should 

 always be kept where the sheep have access to it. It is a 

 great mistake to salt sheep only once a week, or at long 

 intervals, because they are apt to eat too much, thus often 

 causing heavy drinking, which sometimes brings on derange- 

 ments of digestive system or scouring. 



Although the flock has access to the above variety of grain 

 and roughage, yet the success of the flock will depend almost 

 wholly on the cajre they receive. Without the care of an 

 intelligent shepherd a flock will return rather small profits. 

 When the flock is brought into their winter quarters they 

 should be divided or graded into several groups. That is, 

 the breeding ewes should be separated from the lambs, rams 

 and sheep which are intended for mutton, etc. The weak 

 or old thin ones should also be separated from the young 

 robust ones, so that they may receive better care and food. 

 The rams can be kept in small lots of ample size to allow 

 them plenty of exercise. Never allow rams to run with the 

 pregnant ones. 



Regular feeding is very essential, and sheep will often do 

 better on a poor ration fed regularly twice a day than a good 

 one fed in a haphazard way. Exercise is important, especially 

 in care of breeding ewes. If ewes do not receive sufficient 

 exercise during pregnancy the offspring will often come forth 

 weak and puny. A ewe having insufficient exercise will usu- 

 ally experience more or less trouble in lambing. A good plan, 

 and one which many of the flock masters use at present, in 

 order that their flock may obtain plenty of exercise, is that 

 of making the flock walk about half a mile daily for part of 

 their roughage. If the flock is unable to obtain their exercise 



