166 CONKEY'S STOCK BOOK 



BREED OUT Start with vigorous stock. Then use only the best of 

 THE FAULTS rams. Put as much value as you can into the ram, not 

 always a highly fitted prize winner, pampered and per- 

 haps weakened in vigor in order to make a good outside show. But don't 

 stop until you can get what you consider the best ram in your parts for 

 breeding purposes. Every sheep has a fault. But when your whole flock 

 shows up some uniform fault select the ram you need and correct it. 



Read page 6 again. Breeding is not an "exact science," but there is a 

 fair degree of mathematical certainty in it. So, breed in good qualities, and 

 breed out the faults that cheapen your flock. 



RAM AND EWES Good breeders estimate from 30 to 50 ewes to each 

 ram, depending on individual quality and also condi- 

 tion. No matter how high the ram's individual quality he must also be 

 in perfect physical condition, well fed and vigorous. A tonic and appetizer 

 in the feed, like Conkey's Stock Vigor, is ideal for putting and keeping 

 the animal in just the right fettle. 



HOW TO TELL He must have a bold carriage, and in his face a strong, 



A GOOD RAM "sirey" look. Muzzle and nose will be broad, showing 



a good breather and feeder. A short powerful neck 



with deep, roomy chest; back broad, strong looking; broad and deep 

 loins, supporting plenty of best cut of meat; strong legs, not stilty. You 

 don't want to see the landscape under your sheep, that space might just 

 as well be mutton. 



GOOD LAMBS Strong lambs come from care of the winter flock. Good 

 winter shelter, not too warm but dry and out of the 

 wind, with plenty of bedding and plenty of ventilation, this sums up the 

 first big factor in the sheepman's success. The second is proper attention 

 to the ewes when lambing. 



LAMBING As with all farm animals the flock master will watch the 

 breeding animals; have a record of each (ewes require 150 

 days gestation) and when time for delivering their young, will separate 

 each animal and keep on the alert to give any necessary attention. Loss 

 of lambs has been estimated to be due mainly to cold (40%) and lack of 

 milk (30%). Provide good shelter for the ewes at lambing. And in select- 

 ing breeding ewes look for good mothers, not the short pudgy type but 

 rather rangy, good feeders, good milkers, and fitted out with a dense 

 fleece, as this will insure the breeding animals protection. For a month 

 before, feed the ewes rich protein food, see section on Feeds and Feeding, 

 especially pages 50 and 51. Make them take plenty of exercise. Clover hay 

 and corn silage make good roughage. For concentrated food, oats, corn 

 and bran are better mixed than when fed alone. If you must feed only one, 

 oats are best. Corn tends to fat, makes weak lambs, and little milk. 



SAVING LAMBS If a lamb is chilled it can be saved by plunging in 

 warm water, wiping dry with a rough towel and put- 

 ting in a nice warm place, then giving it warm milk. For the June market 



