are fed roots universally. Roots may be fed at all seasons of the year 

 in amounts limited to two or three pounds daily per head. The fol- 

 lowing roots are recommended : rutabaga or Swedish turnips and car- 

 rots. Sugar beets and mangelwurtzels are objectionable to breeding 

 sheep, since they cause calculi (stones) to form in the kidneys. 30 

 Cabbage may be fed in limited quantities to a ram, with good results. 

 Corn silage affords one of the cheapest and most desirable sources of 

 succulence. It must be free from mold, for when partially decom- 

 posed it is dangerous feed. 31 



Clover hay and alfalfa hay are the best for rams. They should 

 be fed in limited amounts of three pounds daily when silage and 

 grains are also fed. Old rams eating too much hay become sluggish. 

 Clean oat straw, mixed hay and corn stover are satisfactory, but 

 necessitate a greater amount of grain in addition. Timothy hay is 

 one of the poorest hays for rams, as it causes constipation and has 

 less food value than clover or alfalfa. 



The feet should be trimmed regularly to avoid foot trouble and 

 the breaking down of the pastern joint. Treatments with reference 

 to maggots, dipping, tagging and parasitic diseases apply to the ram 

 as to the rest of the flock, as discussed in later pages of this bulletin. 



Value of A Sire. 



The value of a ram will depend upon the uniformity of excellence 

 of his get. Constructive breeding is done with least expense through 

 the sire. He should always be a more superior individual than th< 

 average ewes of the flock. If his lambs are not equal to the ewes ii 

 merit, discard the ram and select another that is strong in those points 

 in which the ewes are weak. A good ram should be kept as long 

 possible to breed him in the flock without forced inbreeding. 



Care and Management of the Flock. 



Success in raising sheep at a profit depends largely upon intelli- 

 gent management of the flock. This discussion will be based on the 

 management of a farm flock of fifty ewes. The details, however, will 

 apply in a general way to sheep raising under Pennsylvania condi- 

 tions. It will be assumed that the object is to raise March lambs, 

 of sixty to seventy pounds live weight, fitted for market prior to July, 



? 'Iowa Bulletin No. 112. 



31 Purdue Bulletin No. 147 and Missouri Bulletin No. 120. 



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