18 FITTING SHEEP 



feeding. Ewes, as a rule, fatten more readily than either rams 

 or wethers. Aged ewes are apt to take on soft, blubbery, 

 superfluous fat, unless very carefully fed and abundantly ex- 

 ercised. 



The Feeding of Lambs. 



The first few days after parturition is a very critical time 

 among high-bred, blooded stock, and great care should be 

 exercised in the feeding of the dam, as most assuredly any 

 irregularity of her system will be transmitted to the off- 

 spring. Again, I would warn the novice of the ill effects of 

 the over-feeding of grain. Over-rich milk, sometimes the 

 result of grain feeding, means poison to the newly yeaned 

 Jamb. Plenty of ordinary fodder is the best food for a ewe 

 that has recently yeaned. Grain can be fed with good results 

 as soon as the ewe and lamb are "up and getting thar." 

 Scours and constipation are the most common source of 

 trouble to the new-born lamb. If the lamb appears dull, 

 and sleepy, constipation is usually found to be the cause. 

 Give an injection of warm soapy water, and change diet of 

 ewe; this will quickly rectify this trouble. 



Bran, oats and oil-cake, mixed to suit the temperament, 

 and constitution of the animal, cannot be surpassed as a 

 .grain ration for milking ewes. One pound a day will be 

 found ample where clover hay and roots are in abundance. 

 As soon as the lambs commence to eat they get bran anc 

 oats, mixed, and clover hay ad libitum, fed in troughs, anc 

 racks set in a pen partitioned off from where the ewes can 

 get access to it and the lambs can get it, by going through 

 "creeps." After a while say three weeks oilmeal should 

 be added to their grain ration. 



