FEEDING AND CARE OF SHEEP 327 



western ranges, where but little attention can be given the individual 

 ewes. Accordingly, with the farm flock it is advisable to "flush" the 

 ewes for 2 or 3 weeks before they are bred ; i.e., to supply an abun- 

 dance of palatable, nutritious feed, such as rape, cabbage, good clover 

 pasture, or grain. This is especially needed if the ewes have run 

 down in flesh during summer thru suckling their lambs. 



Breeding ewes which are in good condition in the fall need little 

 or no grain in winter until about a month before lambing, if given all 

 the bright legume hay they will eat with an allowance of silage or 

 roots in addition. At that time, or sooner if they are not in thrifty, 

 vigorous condition, they should be given a limited amount of concen- 

 trates, up to 0.5 per head daily, with good roughage. When legume 



Fig. 90. — Exercise Is Essential for the Ewe Flock 



In winter the ewes may be forced to exercise by scattering roughage over a 

 nearby field. (From Kleinheinz, Wisconsin Station.) 



hay is fed, a considerable part of the concentrates may be corn, bar- 

 ley, oats, kafir, and other carbonaceous grains. Mixed with these 

 should be such feeds as wheat bran, linseed meal, and dried brewers' 

 grains. 



The best roughages for ewes are the legume hays — clover, alfalfa, 

 cowpeas, and vetch — all of which are palatable and rich in protein, 

 and help ward off constipation, a serious danger to the ewe. Other 

 roughages which are useful to feed with legume hay are bright corn 

 fodder or corn stover, oat hay, prairie hay, and oat straw. Timothy 

 hay is too constipating for ewes. Two to 3 lbs. of corn silage or 

 chopped roots per head daily aids greatly in keeping the ewes thrifty. 

 Too much succulent feed may produce weak, flabby lambs. One-half 

 pound of grain, 3 lbs. of legume hay and 2 to 3 lbs. of roots or silage 



