SHEEP RAISING 167 



lambs are best dropped about the middle of February to March 1st, when 

 the backbone of winter is broken. There is less danger of loss of lambs 

 in mild weather but of course big profits come from winter or "hot-house" 

 lambs, worth as high as $15.00 in January, but in May worth about $3.00. 

 Dorsets are the star winter lamb performers; for they are the most fertile 

 breed that we know, produce many twins and will breed almost any time 

 of the year; so that the flock owner c?n meet any market. Have you studied 

 the English system of "flushing" before breeding? See page 51. 



STARTING LAMBS Lambs must get a good start with their dams if 

 ever they are to show big profit. Lack of milk is 



one cause of great loss of lambs. No after feeding will make up if they fail 

 to thrive at the start. Lambs orphaned or "not owned" by their mothers 

 can be given good foster mothers; or if necessary brought up by hand, on 

 cow's milk in a nursing bottle. 



DOCKING Lambs are docked when a few days or a week old, and 

 CASTRATING the male lambs castrated then, as wounds to the tender 

 flesh heal quickly without much pain to the animal. The 

 knife used should be dipped in a solution of Conkey's Nox-i-cide Dip and 

 Disinfectant to guard against any infection. 



WEANED LAMBS Best gains come where the little lambs are accus- 

 tomed to grain meal from the start, so that wean- 

 ing is easily accomplished. Lambs weaned in summer should always have 

 untouched pasture so as to avoid infection from stomach worms. Stomach 

 worms are sure to follow if old sheep and young lambs both have the same 

 pasture. Read page 185. Also read carefully page 50 on feeding lambs. 



MARKET Mutton: Each graded according to (1) quality, (2) condition, 

 CLASSES (3) weight, and (4) form 



Lambs 



Yearlings 



Wethers 



Ewes 



Bucks 



Stags 



Feeders: Almost exclusively Western; graded for (1) quality, (2) form, 



(3) condition, and (4) weight 



Lambs 

 Yearlings 

 Wethers 

 Ewes 



Breeders: Graded according to (1) age, (2) constitution, (3) form, 



(4) breeding, (5) quality, and (6) condition 



Bucks. 



