In quite cold weather, if the nights are dry, sheep are found to pre- 

 fer the open air to enclosed sheds. 



Where the flock varies as to size, and some are much more timid 

 than others, good results follow dividing them into uniform bunches. 

 The rams must be kept separate and kept in no more than good con- 

 dition. Legume hay and one-half pound of bran and oats daily per 

 ram is ordinarily sufficient. 



LAMBING 



Management at lambing time generally determines the measure 

 of success with the flock for the year. The percentage saved .is all- 

 important and runs from 40 per cent to 150 per cent depending on 

 feeding and management of the flock previous to lambing, time of 

 year of lambing, equipment for taking care of the ewes and lambs and 

 faithfulness of the work of the shepherd. In winter or early spring 

 some shelter for night and conveniences for warming chilled and 

 weakened lambs are required. 



Some ewes, especially young ones, need to be placed by them- 

 selves for from two to four days until ewe and lamb learn to know 

 and be able to find each other. Some lambs are born very weak and 

 need to be rubbed to start the circulation and given warm milk and 

 stimulants to give them a start in life. Saving of such lambs often 

 does much to help the percentage. Orphans are common and must 

 be placed on another ewe or raised by hand. Often by placing the 

 skin of a dead lamb on an orphan, the mother of the former can be 

 induced to take the latter. Other simple devices are made to serve the 

 same end. 



Many fail in raising orphans by hand. The principal reason is 

 overfeeding. The best method of feeding is with a bottle and rubber 

 nipple. The first two or three days the cows milk should be given 

 every two hours, at first only two or three tablespoonfuls at a feed. 

 Milk from a high testing cow is best. The bottle and nipple must be 

 kept clean and sanitary and the milk warmed for each feeding to about 

 92 degrees Fahrenheit. 



After lambing the ewes should have feed ample for making a 

 strong milk flow. Some grain or grain and root crops for a few days 

 and then grass is the common and entirely satisfactory method. 



If the lambs are expected to make rapid growth they should be 

 taught to eat grain early. After grazing is good the ewes need no 

 grain. Feeding the lambs grain is solved by making them a creep. 

 In a separate enclosure are placed low troughs for the lambs and 

 entrance to this place is gained by openings that admit the lambs but 

 not the ewes. Crushed oats and bran or crushed oats and corn meal 

 are grain combinations suited for offering lambs in a creep. 



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