386 



A STUDY OF FARM ANIMALS 



an inch and a half from the body. Holding firmly to the 

 lower part of the tail, which is then depressed, a quick up- 

 ward stroke is given with the knife, which easily separates 

 the tail, leaving it in the operator's hand. Occasionally a 

 lamb may bleed quite a bit, but bleeding usually stops soon, 

 and fatalities are not common. Bleeding may be stopped 

 by tying a string tightly about the stump for an hour or so, 

 or the wound may be seared with a red-hot iron. Lambs 

 are also docked by other methods, as chopping off with a 

 chisel, using a red-hot pincers, etc. The method described, 



Figure 172. A good feed rack for sheep. Reproduced from Farmers' Bulletin 

 810, United States Department of Agriculture. 



however, is commonly used and is very satisfactory. The 

 wound, after it stops bleeding, should have an antiseptic 

 applied to it, and it should be watched to see that it heals 

 rapidly. Tails are useless, they accumulate filth, and on 

 the ewes interfere with breeding operations. Docked sheep 

 are also more attractive than those with tails. 



A hurdle for handling sheep is an adjustable or temporary 

 fencing. Hurdles are universally used in Europe where sheep 

 are grazed on forage crops or valuable pastures. Types of 



