324 FEEDS AND FEEDING, ABRIDGED 



In the humid regions, however, two hundred sheep of the mutton 

 breeds are as many as can usually be successfully managed in one 

 flock, for when the farm is heavily stocked with sheep, the troubles 

 from stomach worms and other parasites are greatly increased. The 

 beginner had best begin with a flock of 25, increasing the number as 

 experience grows. 



Fattening sheep of different ages. — The following table, giving 

 the results of an 88-day trial at the Montana Station,^ shows that 

 lambs make much more economical gains than do older sheep : 



Fattening range sheep of different ages 



Average ration Av. wt. Av. Av. Feed for 100 



Clover at be- daily total lbs. gain 



Age when fed Barley hay ginning gain gain Barley Clover 



hay 



Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. 



Lambs 0.7 2.1 G3 0.27 23.7 253 763 



One-year-old wethers 0.7 3.8 95 0.27 23.5 256 1,413 



Two-year-old wethers 0.7 4.1 116 0.28 24.3 248 1,469 



Aged ewes 0.7 2.3 92 0.18 15.6 387 1,320 



It will be observed that all lots, except the aged ewes, made prac- 

 tically the same daily and total gains. All were fed the same amount 

 of grain, but the lambs ate only about half as much hay as the year- 

 lings or 2-year-olds. Hence, the gains of the lambs were much more 

 economical. In other trials at the same Station, lambs made not only 

 more economical but also more rapid gains than yearling wethers. 



Not only do lambs make cheaper gains, but thej^ also bring a higher 

 price per 100 lbs., due to the fact that their tender, juicy, well- 

 flavored meat is popular with Americans. Moreover, when the 

 animals are fattened as lambs the money invested is sooner returned, 

 and there is less risk from death and accident. Therefore, but few 

 lambs are held over to be fattened as yearlings or 2-year-olds. Owing 

 to their tendency to grow, lambs fatten more slowly than do mature 

 wethers. Since they are making not only fat but also lean meat, the 

 ration should be somewhat narrower; that is, contain more protein, 

 than is needed for fattening mature sheep. However, a ration which 

 is too narrow will unduly stimulate growth, and not fatten them 

 properly. The food requirements of fattening lambs of various 

 weights are given in Appendix Table V, as are also feeding standards 

 for maintaining mature sheep and for breeding ewes. 



Shelter and exercise. — Above every other animal on the farm, the 

 sheep should be kept dry as to both coat and feet to avoid disease. 

 With dry winter quarters sheep will stand severe cold without injury. 

 One thickness of matched boards makes the barn or shed where sheep 



1 Shaw, Mont. Bui. 35 ; see also Mont. Buls. 47, 59. 



