370 A STUDY OF FARM ANIMALS 



corn to every 86 pounds of alfalfa hay. This ration pro- 

 duced a prime market finish and was satisfactory in all 

 respects except that it required close watching at times to 

 keep the lambs from going 'off feed'." Prof. Coffey also 

 calls attention* to the fact that "lambs fed 100 pounds of 

 corn to every 203 pounds of hay for a period of 98 days 

 were graded as prime." 



FEEDING THE BREEDING FLOCK 

 The breeding flock is represented by the ewes, one or 

 more service rams, and the lambs reserved for flock increase 

 or sale. Such stock should be kept in attractive, vigorous 

 condition, but not fattened to any marked extent. 



Figure 165. Oxford Down ewes on a field of rape in England. Note the 

 hurdle fencing. Photograph by the author. 



Feeding and caring for the breeding ewe require watch- 

 ful attention from the shepherd. The ewes to be reserved for 

 breeding should be carefully selected during the summer, 

 when on pasture. If ewes are to be brought in for winter 

 shelter, they should be kept on pasture or forage crops as 

 late in the fall as possible. Any good standard pasture 

 grass will suit their needs; but, if rape or green legumes can 

 be had, they will prove very satisfactory. Rape forage 

 makes an unexcelled pasture for sheep of any kind, and 

 they may be turned in any time after the plants have at- 

 tained a height of eight or ten inches. But very little grain 



*Productive Sheep Husbandry, 1918. 



