GENERAL CARE OF SHEEP AND LAMBS 579 



perament and frets all the time when away from the flock. Where 

 ''hand coupling" is not practiced, to determine whether a ewe has been 

 bred and at what time, the ram should be painted on the brisket with 

 some compound which will leave a mark on the wool of the ewe. A 

 vigorous ram will serve 35 to 50 ewes a season, if allowed to run with 

 them all the time. Where "hand coupling" is practiced or the ram is 

 turned with the ewes only a short time daily, 50 to 75 ewes may be bred 

 to one ram. 



In winter the ram may be kept in thrifty condition on 0.5 to 1.0 Ib. of 

 concentrates a day, with good roughage. Some succulent food is de- 

 sirable, but mangels and sugar beets should be avoided. (864) Ram 

 lambs need a liberal ration containing plenty of protein but should not 

 be allowed to become fat. Lack of exercise injures the ram's procrea- 

 tive powers. Except during mating time the ram should be kept away 

 from the ewe flock, so that he cannot annoy them. 



881. The flock in winter. Before going into winter quarters, it is 

 advisable, especially in large flocks, to divide the flock into groups 

 of the same size, sex, strength, and general characteristics. To give the 

 highest returns a division of mutton sheep should not contain over 50 

 members. Each member will then have an equal chance with its fellows 

 at the feed trough and in enjoying attentions from the shepherd's hand, 

 and the ration may then be adapted to the special needs of each group. 



The quarters for the flock in winter should be dry, well-ventilated, and 

 sunny. Drafts must be avoided, or trouble is sure to result. Warm quar- 

 ters are not only unnecessary, but inadvisable. (830) From 10 to 15 

 square feet of ground space should be provided for each ewe. There 

 should be wide doorways, lest the animals suffer injury when all attempt 

 to rush thru at once, in true sheep fashion. Conveniently placed feed 

 racks should furnish 15 to 24 inches of space per head. Salt and plenty 

 of water should always be provided for the flock, as has been pointed 

 out previously. (837, 838) 



To insure a crop of strong, healthy lambs, exercise for the ewes is 

 essential. In winter the flock should have access to a dry, sunny yard, 

 well protected from wind and storm. To force the ewes to exercise 

 on all fair days, roughage may be scattered in small bunches over a 

 nearby field. If the snow is deep, paths should be broken out with snow 

 plow or stone boat. On stormy days the sheep should remain indoors, 

 for wet fleeces dry but slowly in winter. 



882. Fall and winter feed for breeding ewes. Quite commonly stub- 

 ble and stalk fields can form the chief feed for the band of ewes in the 

 fall, after the grain and corn crops have been harvested. The sheep will 

 clean up such fields, eating the grass along the fence rows and the 

 weeds and waste forage that was not gathered in harvesting. This will 

 utilize feeds which would otherwise be wasted and will materially re- 

 duce the cost of maintaining the flock. It is wisest to use such feed 

 as early as possible, before the fall rains and frosts have lessened the 



