212 SHEEP FARMING IN AMERICA 



that are soon to be fattened. It may, however, save 

 much dispute if all stock ewes have their owner's 

 mark, seeing that they may become mixed on pas- 

 ture. 



MARKING PURE-BRED LAMBS. 



When lambs that are pure-bred are to be regis- 

 tered it is essential that the shepherd so mark them 

 at an early age as to identify them later according 

 to their parentage. This is by no means an easy 

 task. A very small lamb cannot safely carry a 

 mark in its ear and there is a little trouble later on 

 in discovering which ewes are the mothers of the 

 lambs. 



The writer has found a good plan to be to let them 

 run until they are well grown, but still sucking ; then 

 separate them from their mothers some morning and 

 keep them apart until they are eager for association 

 with their dams. Then the lambs may be caught one 

 at a time, and in one ear a tattoo number be put. 

 This should be in the opposite ear from where the 

 permanent number is to go. These numbers may be- 

 gin each year at No. 1, running up as high as neces- 

 sary. 



Having the number in the lamb's ear and entered 

 it in a book, the lamb is placed with the ewes, where 

 it soon singles out its mother, and while sucking she 

 is caught and her number noted and entered opposite 

 that of the lamb. A name may be given the lamb at 

 the same time, though individual names except for 

 exceptionally good lambs are hardly worth while. 

 It is easier and as well to designate them simply by 



