518 Feeds and Feeding. 



at that time. Well-fed ewes have more twin lambs than those 

 poorly nurtured. 



791. At lambing time. As lambing time approaches the shep- 

 herd should take quarters in the sheep barn or close by, and re- 

 main in attendance until the season is over. Lambs of mutton 

 breeds are often in need of quick, intelligent attention from the 

 shepherd as they enter the world. If the young lamb is unable 

 to draw milk within a few minutes after birth, it should have 

 help to secure this first and most important feed. To this end 

 the ewe must sometimes be held and the lamb aided, the whole 

 being accomplished by that patient skill so characteristic of the 

 good shepherd, but so impossible of description. With twins, 

 one is usually weaker than the other, and frequently the mother 

 cares for only the stronger one; here the shepherd's tact serves 

 well in promptly helping the weaker member to its full share of 

 food. Lambs can be successfully reared on cow's milk, though 

 close attention is necessary in its successful use during the first 

 month. Warm cow's milk can be fed from a teapot over the 

 spout of which a rubber "cot" with opening in end has been 

 placed; or a nursing bottle may be used. At first the lamb should 

 be fed fifteen or eighteen times a day; later, half a dozen times. 



The shepherd, rooming close by the lying-in quarters, should 

 be in attendance every two or three hours in the night when the 

 lambing season is on, to help the weak ones and see that all are 

 prospering. With the first fill of milk from the dam the new- 

 born lamb becomes comfortable and is usually able thereafter to 

 take care of itself. Lambs of the mutton breeds are often weak 

 at birth, but under good management gain rapidly in strength. 



For two or three days after parturition the ewe should be sup- 

 plied sparingly with dry food of the same character as that given 

 before lambing. Succulent feed should be supplied with the de- 

 mand for more milk by the young. 



792. Teaching the young lamb to eat. When about two weeks 

 old the lusty young lamb will be found nibbling at the feed trough 

 beside its dam, and the shepherd should provide specially for its 

 wants in order to early accustom it to take additional food. This 

 is accomplished by having an enclosure or room adjoining the 



