104 SHEEP FEEDING 



Suggestions for shipping sheep. When the sheep are ready 

 for market it is to the seller's advantage to have them pre- 

 sent as good an appearance as possible. If more than one 

 carload has been fed, select those of uniform weight, flesh, 

 and general form for each shipment. All tags should be 

 clipped from around the tail, and the wool should be free 

 from burs or mud. In handling the sheep about the farm, 

 on the way to the cars, and while loading, take plenty of 

 time and try to prevent anything that will frighten or worry 

 them. Any one who handles feeding sheep can well afford 

 to train a leader, for a well-trained lead sheep will do more 

 to reduce shrinks and facilitate the handling of the feeders 

 about the yards, scales, and cars than a good sheep dog 

 or an extra man. If difficulty is experienced in driving a 

 large number of sheep to and from the farm, it can gen- 

 erally be made easier by cutting out a small bunch and 

 driving them ahead, and then the larger band will follow 

 without any trouble. 



Do not load cars too heavily ; but, on the other hand, fill 

 each one full enough to prevent the sheep from being seri- 

 ously bumped or jammed about by the jerking of the train. 

 There is little excuse for a heavy death loss on moderately 

 long shipments in properly loaded cars. 



Shrinkage during transportation. Shrinkage on fat sheep 

 during transportation from the farm to market runs from 

 four to eight pounds. A bad rain or snow storm, unusual 

 delays, long shipments, poor watering facilities, and very 

 fat sheep all tend to increase the amount of shrinkage, and 

 in cases where two or more of these factors are combined 

 it is possible that the pounds of shrinkage will be more than 

 the amount mentioned. On the other hand a very short 

 shipping distance under very good conditions may result in 



