578 FEEDS AND FEEDING 



compiled by Humphrey and Kleinheinz from the records of the flock 

 at the Wisconsin Station, 1 consisting mainly of ewes of the English 

 breeds. The gestation period for 1,142 ewes ranged from 140 to 156 

 days, the average being 147 days. The greatest number (19 per ct.) 

 dropped their lambs on the 146th day, followed by the 147th and 145th. 

 Over half the entire number yeaned on these 3 days, Tessier of France 2 

 reports that the average gestation period of 912 ewes, doubtless of the 

 Merino breed, was 152 days, over 75 per ct. lambing between the 150th 

 and 154th days. This agrees with the Wisconsin records, which show 

 that the Merino and Cheviot ewes carried their lambs longer than those 

 of the English breeds. Also, the gestation period for Shropshires and 

 Southdowns was shorter than for the larger English breeds. 



879. Flushing the ewes. Experienced shepherds have found that 

 ewes which are gaining rapidly in flesh at breeding time are more apt to 

 produce twins and triplets than those in poor flesh. Ewes bred when in a 

 thrifty condition are also more reliable breeders and more certain to 

 produce vigorous lambs. Accordingly, with the farm flock, it is ad- 

 visable to "flush" the ewes for 2 to 3 weeks before the desired date 

 of breeding; i. e., to supply an abundance of palatable, nutritious feed, 

 such as rape, cabbage, good pasture, or grain. This is especially needed 

 if the ewes have run down in flesh during summer, as is common with 

 ewes having large milk flows, even tho they have had good care and 

 pasture. Another advantage of flushing the ewes is that the flock will 

 all breed within a briefer time, thus shortening the lambing period with 

 its anxious hours. Flushing the ewes is a common practice with English 

 flockinasters. 



Where the ewes and lambs are well fed, twin lambs will make nearly 

 as rapid gains in weight as single lambs. 3 Therefore twins are advan- 

 tageous under favorable farm conditions. On the other hand, on the 

 western range where but little attention can be given to the individual 

 ewes, single lambs have given the best results. 



880. The ram. A well-built, vigorous pure-bred ram should be chosen 

 and then be so fed and cared for that he will remain virile. He needs 

 no grain while on good pasture during summer, but beginning at least a 

 month before breeding time some concentrates should be fed. During 

 the breeding season he should be kept in good condition by feeding at 

 least 1 Ib. a day of a mixture fairly rich in protein, such as 3 parts 

 of oats and 1 of wheat bran. This amount is for a ram of average 

 size. The ram should never be allowed to run down in breeding season 

 thru insufficient feed or over use. On the other hand, he should never 

 become fat. In purchasing, avoid a ram that has been fitted for shows, 

 for such high living tends to result in impotence. 



During the breeding season the ram should run with the ewes but a 

 short time daily, or at ni^ht only, unless he is of very nervous tem- 



^npubllshed data. 'Craig, Wis. Rpt. 1899, Ritzman, N. H. Tech. Bui. 14 

 2 Coleinan, Sheep of Great Britain. 



