FARM ANIMALS 275 



since the expense of such operations cannot be 

 covered by the price obtained for the scrub lambs. 



Exercise. While in actual experiments to test 

 the value of open lot and pen feeding for sheep, 

 somewhat contradictory results have been ob- 

 tained there seems to be little reason to question 

 the proposition that sheep of all sorts require some 

 exercise other than what they can obtain when 

 housed or penned too closely. The results secured 

 in testing this matter in Wisconsin were not always 

 the same in different years, sometimes being in 

 favor of exercise and at other times in favor of 

 non-exercise. As a rule, however, the best results 

 have been obtained in practice from allowing 

 sheep considerable freedom, even during the 

 height of the forcing period. In order to make 

 a success with sheep it is necessary to start with 

 vigorous lambs, since otherwise they will not thrive 

 and cannot make an economic use of their food. 

 The strength of the lambs depends in turn on the 

 care and management of the flock in winter. As 

 shown by experiments in Minnesota one of the 

 most common mistakes in sheep management 

 and one which always brings disaster in its wake 

 is to keep sheep in too warm and close quarters. 

 Sheep are covered with a heavy coat of wool in 

 winter and readily endure any ordinary degree 

 of cold without harm, provided they have dry 

 places in which to lie down. On the other hand, 

 crowding in close quarters with the temperature 

 too warm and the air too moist causes the sheep to 

 sweat. The best results are commonly obtained 

 in allowing sheep in open yards even in the coldest 

 days of winter with a protected place in which 

 they may lie in time of cold rain storms. 



Shrinkage in Shipment. It has already been 



