FEEDS FOR SHEEP 345 



The numerous instances in which sheep of all classes have died from 

 eating moldy or decayed silage show that greater care is necessary in 

 administering this feed to sheep than to cattle. As sour silage is apt 

 to cause colic and scouring, silage for sheep should be made from well- 

 matured corn. 



Silage other than corn. — Sorghum silage from plants sufficiently 

 matured to produce silage low in acidity is satisfactory for sheep, 

 and may be used in the same manner as corn silage. Where the field 

 pea flourishes, the whole plant may be profitably ensiled for sheep 

 fattening. In the vicinity of pea canneries, fattening sheep and 

 lambs on ensiled pea vines and pods is an important industry, espe- 

 cially in Wisconsin. Some dry roughage, such as corn stover or hay, 

 is supplied in addition to the silage, and grain or screenings are fed, 

 particularly during the latter part of the fattening period. 



Wet beet pulp. — This by-product is extensively fed to fattening 

 sheep in the vicinity of the beet-sugar factories in the western states. 

 Sheep are commonly given all the pulp they will eat, along with 

 alfalfa hay, which admirably supplements the pulp, low both in pro- 

 tein and lime. Feeding a limited allowance of corn, barley, or other 

 grain in addition, is usually advisable. At the Colorado Station,^'- 1 

 ton of wet beet pulp was equal to 200 lbs. of corn for fattening sheep. 

 Pulp is commonly fed to old ewes and wethers, but seems too bulky 

 for the best results with lambs. It is especially suited to old animals 

 with poor teeth. ^^ 



Pastures for sheep. — As sheep relish weeds and browse eagerly on 

 sprouts and brush refused by other stock, they are helpful in cleaning 

 up the farm, especially such by-places as lanes and fence corners. 

 Of the permanent pastures, bluegrass is the most common in the 

 upper ]\rississippi valley and eastward. Farther south red top is 

 prominent, and in the southern states Bermuda grass. In the West 

 the native grasses, especially the grama species, furnish much of the 

 grazing on the ranges, tho on mountain ranges the food is often mostly 

 herbs and the leaves and twigs of shrubs.^* 



The clovers furnish valuable pasture, but great care is necessary 

 to prevent bloat when sheep are grazed on them. Alfalfa is especially 

 liable to cause bloat and can be recommended as a pasture plant for 

 but few sections, altho some skillful flockmasters suffer little loss. 

 In some parts of the West alfalfa is utilized for winter grazing, as it 

 is then so lacking in succulence that danger from bloat is practically 

 absent. In the humid regions care is always necessary to prevent 

 trouble from stomach worms when permanent pastures are used. 



12 Colo. Bui. 76. 



13 Morton, Colo. Sta., information to the authors. 

 "Beattie, Wash. Bui. 113. 



