400 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



the feed that the mother gets, consisting preferably of corn meal, bran 

 and a small quantity of oil meal. The "creep" allows only the small 

 lambs to get at this particular mixture. Corn has been proved by 

 repeated trials to give the quickest results, as its fattening qualities, 

 in conjunction with the mother's milk, give very quick growth. It 

 should not be given alone on account of the heaviness of the feed, its 

 effect on the digestive system, when so fed, being rather harmful. If 

 a few roots — turnips or mangels — are available they make an ex- 

 cellent feed, and cabbages will produce very good results. Lambs do 

 not eat much roughage, but will eat a little clover hay if allowed access 

 to it. Being a protein fodder the clover hay will help considerably in 

 the growth. It is essential in feeding young things of any sort to see 

 that flesh-forming and bone-producing foods are fed, to supplement 

 the fattening grains given. Feeds high in protein and containing con- 

 siderable ash should be given, along with corn. Bran is added to the 

 above mixture for that reason, containing a fairly high percentage of 

 protein and being high in ash content. Oil meal contains a large 

 amount of protein, and has a slightly laxative effect on the bowels, 

 thus leading to a good condition of the digestive organs. 



If good pasture is available little grain is necessary, but it should be 

 given, even then, for stock that is being hurried to maturity. In early 

 spring, when pasture is not plentiful, rye sown the previous fall makes 

 good green fodder. Later on rape may be used to supplement failing 

 pastures, but sheep should never be turned on rape when very hungry, 

 because of the danger of bloating. 



Docking and castrating may be done at the same or different times, 

 as suits the convenience of the shepherd. In many instances docking 

 is done first, and the castration when the lambs become stronger, thus 

 not setting them back as much as when both operations are done 

 at the same time. Early lambs, those marketed at from forty to 

 ninety days, need not be castrated or docked. Those kept longer 

 should be castrated, as their flesh becomes rather coarse in texture and 

 has not so desirable a flavor if they are not altered. Undocked tails 

 make sheep foul and unattractive, and for that reason should be 

 removed from all except early lambs. 



Docking may be done with a sharp knife, cutting off the tail about 

 an inch and a half or two inches from the body. The division should 

 be made at one of the joints for clean work and best results. Both 

 docking and castration should be done when the ground is dry and the 

 weather dry and moderately warm. Damp quarters tend to infection 

 of wounds, and if the weather is good the stock will more easily and 

 quickly recover than when cold, wet days are the rule. Both opera- 

 tions should be done when the lambs are but a few weeks old. 



When young lambs show the presence of worms in the alimentary 

 canal, causing severe emaciation, they are probably the stomach or 

 other variety of the round worm. These may be gotten rid of by 

 giving small doses of turpentine and linseed oil, being careful that no 



