182 LIVESTOCK ON THE FARM 



externally as lice affect other animals. Ticks can be removed 

 by dipping. Commercial sheep dips can be used for this 

 purpose. This material, diluted with water according to 

 directions, is put into a deep and narrow vat and the sheep are 

 driven through. An incline is provided so the sheep can be 

 slid into the solution without injury. It is said that three 

 dippings at intervals of fourteen days will clean a farm and 

 the sheep of this parasite. 



Internal parasites such as worms are more difficult to dis- 

 pose of than ticks. Turpentine, gasoline and other similar 

 remedies are frequently used but prevention is better than 

 cure. To avoid internal parasites sheep should not be kept 

 on the same pasture two years in succession. Lambs also, 

 when weaned, should be put into a pasture that had no sheep 

 on it the same or the previous year. Where the winters are 

 long and cold some of these parasites as they are developed 

 outside of the sheep freeze to death. Thus a cold northern 

 country that has a dry climate is especially well adapted to 

 sheep. 



SHEEP FEEDING 



The feeding of sheep is not very different from the feeding 

 of cattle. First of all, sheep should be well fed. In summer 

 when the ewes are on good pasture they do not need any grain 

 and can raise good lambs too. In winter most ewes have no 

 lambs with them and can be wintered on hay alone, but they 

 will do better if they have a little grain in addition. 



When hay alone is fed to sheep it should be of good quality 

 and preferably of a leguminous variety, such as clover, alfalfa 

 or pea hay. A variety of hays is also better than just one 

 kind of hay. Lambs during the fall and winter should be 

 well fed on leguminous hay and grain. They are growing 

 animals and should have some of the protein concentrates as 

 well as protein hay. Oats and corn are good carbohydrate 

 feeds. To these a little bran, oil meal or ground flax should 

 be added. Aside from the flax, the grain may be fed whole or 

 ground, just as the sheep like it best. 



Salt and water should be before sheep at all times. 



