12 BULLETIN 573, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Care after breeding. After breeding, the ewes ordinarily require 

 no special care or feed until winter. If the waste feeds in the fields 

 are sufficient, there is no better practice than to allow the ewes to 

 run in the fields until snow falls. It is important to remember, 

 however, that the effect of inadequate feed may not be readily ob- 

 served at this season because of the long fleece on the ewes. Methods 

 of feeding ewes during the whiter are further discussed in the chapter 

 on feeds and feeding. 



Care of the ram. In summer, a small separate pasture is usually 

 provided for the ram. The farm orchard is a convenient and satis- 

 factory place for this purpose. During the breeding season, if there 

 are a large number of ewes to be bred to one ram , he is kept by him- 

 self during the day and is fed oats and bran in addition to hay or 

 pasture. The care of the ram in winter is much the same as that 

 for ewes, except that only a few flockmasters feed roots to the ram, 

 and these only sparingly, whereas a large number of sheepmen feed 

 roots to ewes. 



LAMBING. 



Lambing ordinarily occurs in February or early in March. A few 

 days before lambing the ewes are placed in a sheltered yard or shed. 

 The grain rations are greatly reduced. In some cases, when the ewe 

 shows signs of lambing within a day or two, she is placed in a pen 

 by herself. If there are any loose, dirty locks of wool around her 

 udder they should be removed. The ewe is carefully watched but 

 not disturbed. If she has had plenty of exercise and has been well 

 cared for, little trouble should be experienced in lambing. 



The lambing period is one of the most important of the year, and 

 successful lambing requires almost constant attention by the herds- 

 man. Occasionally it is necessary to assist the ewe because of a diffi- 

 cult presentation of the lamb, but the chief need is to assist the weak 

 lambs immediately after birth. If the lamb is chilled, it is taken to 

 a room where a fire is kept burning and warmed by blankets and 

 rubbing. A common practice is to dip the chilled lamb into a pail 

 of water as hot as the hand can bear. The lamb is then carefully 

 dried, given a few spoonfuls of its mother's milk, and returned to the 

 ewe. The use of warm blankets is to be preferred to dipping in hot 

 water. Milk, freshly drawn from the mother ewe, should always be 

 given a weak lamb as soon as possible. A tub or half barrel, bedded 

 with straw and containing a jug of hot water covered with a blanket, 

 is a good place for keeping the lambs while they are being warmed 

 and fed. As soon as possible, the lamb should be returned to its 

 mother. 



In many cases, particularly with young ewes and those which have 

 been fed a ration of hay only, there is difficulty in inducing the ewe 

 to allow the lamb to nurse. In such a case, the ewe should be held 



