FEEDING SHEEP AND GOATS 



325 



turpentine, or benzine. The dose for lambs is 5 ounces of cows' milk, 1 

 tablespoonful each of gasoline and raw linseed oil, well mixed and given in a 

 drenching bottle; for older sheep, 1% tablespoonfuls gasoline are given in 

 the mixture. 



The general rules in regard to feeding sheep are similar to those 

 for feeding other classes of farm animals. Eegularity of feeding 

 is all-important, as are cleanliness, gentle treatment, patience, and 

 exercise of good judgment on the part of the feeder. 



Feeding Fattening Sheep. The production of fat mutton 

 sheep is of increasing importance in this country, and the industry 

 is capable of still further development, as the quality of the mutton 

 is improved by the feeding of special mutton sheep, and more people 

 learn to appreciate tender, juicy mutton. As with other farm ani- 

 mals, the largest and quickest returns are made by fattening young 

 lambs. The influence of age and the results obtained in fattening 

 sheep are illustrated by feeding trials with range sheep conducted 

 at the Montana station. 7 Four lots of lambs, one- and two-year-old 

 wethers and aged ewes, about 55 in each lot, were fed on rations 

 consisting of clover hay and whole barley for a period of 88 days. 

 The main results obtained are shown in the following table : 



Fattening Range Sheep of Different Ages 



The lambs made the most rapid and economical gains of the 

 four lots. The amount of feed required for maintenance and in- 

 crease in weight was smaller and the average percentage dressed 

 weight was higher for this lot than for the older sheep. 



Clean, fresh drinking water should always be provided. The 

 amount which sheep will take will vary with the character of the 

 rations fed and the weather, from less than one quart per head when 

 on succulent feed to five quarts or more when on dry feed only. 

 Sheep fed dry roughage and concentrates crave salt, and even when 

 on pasture it should be supplied regularly in order that they may 



7 Bulletin 35; also Bulletins 47 and 59. 



