ewes are suckling lambs. When pastures get short and dry in late 

 summer or fall some of the sowed pastures above mentioned or root 

 crops should be provided. The ram in summer should be separated 

 from the ewes and fed similarly. 



In the irrigated sections alfalfa has been found a dangerous 

 pasture at times on account of causing losses from bloat. When alfalfa 

 and clover are not irrigated they can be pastured safely with sheep if 

 some care is exercised. Reasonable care means that the animals must 

 not be turned into rank growing alfalfa or clover when extremely 

 hungry, and it is safer to keep them off for a while after rains or 

 heavy dews. 



Sheep can do without water with less inconvenience than any of 

 our common farm animals. They need it, however, and should have it 

 at regular and frequent intervals in summer. Twice per day is suffi- 

 cient. Clean and if possible fresh water pays. The flock, if allowed! 

 a choice, prefers to graze in early morning and late afternoon and 

 evening, spending the heated periods of the day quietly in a shady 

 place. Shade trees or shades permitting free air circulation suffice 

 for this purpose. Some sort of protection from the sun is necessary, 

 if the flock is to do well. 



AUTUMN PROBLEMS 



When cool weather comes in the fall, the ewes begin coming in 

 heat. This is the time of all our common Idaho breeds. Dorset Horn 

 ewes take the ram in spring and drop lambs in early fall. This is 

 also true to a certain extent of some. Merino families. In England 

 and some parts of America "flushing" of the ewes is practiced to pre- 

 pare them for mating with the best results. Many ewes are in thin 

 flesh and low in vitality after their lambs have been weaned. Flush- 

 ing is a system of good feeding to get the ewe in vigorous condition 

 before conception. Rape or other rich pasture is used quite widely 

 as a feed for this purpose, and is sufficient without grain. If grain is 

 used a small feed of oats will be found to give satisfactory results. 



Choice of time for breeding should depend on shelter and facilities 

 for lambing, kinds of feed available in spring and market available or 

 preferred for lambs. Lambing in February or March in most parts of 

 Idaho requires shelter and adequate means of taking care of the lambs 

 and protecting both ewes and lambs from storms. If the ewes suckle 

 their lambs properly they must have grass or other stimulus to milk 

 production within two weeks after lambing. In case of winter lamb- 

 ing grains and root crops must be made to take the place of grass. 

 It is seen, therefore, that early lambing has its undesirable features. 

 If ram lambs are to be sold for fall service they must come early to 

 be big enough for service, and in some communities winter or early 

 spring lambs that can be made to weigh 50 to 60 pounds in May find 

 ready sale at good prices. The ewe's average period of gestation is 



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