126 MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING OF SHEEP 



become general. It involves labor, and in the meantime 

 the wool does not sell for so good a price. 



The condition of the ewes at the time of mating is 

 supposed, and with good reasons, to exercise some influ- 

 ence on the number of the lambs that will be born. A 

 vigorous condition of the ewes at the time of mating is 

 favorable to fecundity. It is not the only influence, how- 

 ever, that favors an abundant lamb crop (see p. 465). 



From the pastures to winter quarters The change 

 from pastures to winter quarters will be modified by the 

 conditions such as relate to climate and peculiarities of 

 season. Under some conditions the first snows remain 

 and close abruptly the pasturing season. Under other 

 conditions, the first snows usually melt, so that grazing 

 may be resumed for a time, and under yet other condi- 

 tions it may be continued during much of the winter. 

 The aim should be to have grazing continue as long as 

 this may be practicable, not so much in order to save 

 stored foods as to give the sheep that exercise that is so 

 helpful to the maintenance of the flock in a good condition 

 of health and vigor. Some winters in areas not far north 

 sheep can graze on the pastures during much of the win- 

 ter, a condition that highly favors vigor in the lambs. 



When changing from grazing to winter food given 

 in the sheds, three things should be guarded against. The 

 first is eating frozen food, the second exposure to cold 

 rain or sleet storms and the third sudden changes in the 

 food. 



It is but seldom that harm comes from grazing sheep 

 on pastures in late autumn in which the old and new 

 growths are mingled, as, for instance, a blue grass pas- 

 ture that has not been closely grazed in the summer. The 

 dry grass mingling with the green seems to counteract 

 the injury that might result from feeding on frozen green 

 grass. When, however, the sheep feed upon such food 

 as frozen rape or clover, and also other green food, the 

 hazard is present that such ailments as bloat, colic and an 



