8G2 THE FARMERS HANDBOOK. 



(c) Adding a little hay to the above ration. If hay is added even only 

 once or twice a week the stock would resist the adverse conditions 

 more successfully. 



It will be noted that in some cases sheep do not relish the scrub when 

 freshly cut, but later, when it is drier, they eat it readily. 



Ensilage — Feeding should commence while there is still a little dry feed 

 about, and about 1 lb. should be given daily. This quantity can be increased 

 as required up to 3 lb. per sheep per day, which is sufficient to keep the 

 sheep in condition. Where practicable, the addition of a little grain twice 

 a week is an advantage. 



Hay, Chaff, and Straw. — On the whole these do not appear to be- 

 favourable as fodders for sheep when used alone. Hay feeding is not 

 economical, as the hay is scattered and trampled into the dust when fed ; 

 moreover the initial expense is very great if it is purchased at drought prices. 

 Chaff may be fed from troughs, but it is liable to be blown about and to get 

 into the sheep's eyes unless damped. These fodders are of course preferable 

 to scrub, but on lucerne, oaten or wheaten hay, ewes (even if they keep fair 

 condition) do not secrete sufficient milk to rear their lambs. With the 

 addition of some grain, and damped with brine or molasses and water, 

 better results have been obtained, as in this case the ration contains more 

 nutriment material and the salt and molasses help to correct the con- 

 stipating effect of a continuous ration of dry food. 



Bush hay may be cut and stored from the natural pastures. It is common- 

 to see fine crops of native grasses allowed to go to seed and dry up, when 

 with a little labour they could be saved and stored. While such hay is 

 not so satisfactory as ensilage (which contains much of the original moisture), 

 it would nevertheless be the means of saving stock during a dry season. 



Straw is a food that is much neglected in our wheat-growing districts; 

 while its nutritive qualities cannot be compared with those of hay, its value 

 is very great as an emergency fodder. Even though straw that is not stored 

 performs a useful service if it is returned to the soil, it must be urged 

 that if some of it were saved it would be of incalculable value to the sheep 

 in time of drought. Soaked in or sprinkled with molasses and water, straw 

 will readily be taken by sheep. Where possible the straw should be steamed 

 immediately before using to make it more palatable. Grain is a necessity 

 with any hay or straw if the sheep are to be kept in condition. 



Grain. — Grain food has many advantages, possibly the most important 

 being that it is concentrated and is easy of transport ; but as already pointed 

 out, grain alone is not a good fodder unless the stock can pick up some 

 roughage to make up the bulk of the food. Generally speaking, maize has- 

 given the best results ; as a drought food it is superior to other grain. Four 

 ounces daily appears to be a usual ration per sheep, but this is rather 

 small, and 8 oz. daily is much to be preferred. 



The question of crushing or soaking the maize is also worthy of attention. 

 A healthy adult sheep should be quite capable of masticating the grain 

 without treatment, but where the sheep are young or poor it is advisable 

 to soak the grain so that it may be more easily assimilated. The disadvan- 

 tage of soaking is that if fed from the ground the dust and dirt adheres to the 

 grain and is ingested. To some extent this may be overcome by soaking 

 in a limited amount of water, so that all the moisture is absorbed. Soaked 

 grain should be fed at once, as it will become sour if kept for any length of 

 time. If it is desired to break the maize it should only be cracked — not 

 ground. 



