SHEEP RAISING FOR BEGINNERS. 7 



varies according to systems followed in different sections. In all 

 cases the amount of labor is small in proportion to that required by 

 other live-stock products of equal value. Feeding the sheep in winter 

 is light labor, and the manure need not ordinarily be removed from 

 pens oftener than once in six weeks during the time the flock is 

 housed. 



However, sheep raising should not be engaged in with an idea that 

 little attention is required. The wants of sheep are numerous and 

 varied, and frequent attention is required to forestall conditions that 

 will result in ill health or lack of thrift. With a large flock at 

 lambing time frequent attendance day and night is necessary to avoid 

 losses of ewes and young lambs. While their habits are quite 

 different from those of other farm animals, sheep are an interesting 

 study. Sheep management can be learned and understood by anyone 

 who is willing to observe carefully and think and attend to the 

 details as attention is required. 



RETURNS FROM SHEEP RAISING. 



The gross annual returns from ewes of breeding age may be expected 

 to range from $8 to $15 a head, depending upon the percentage of 

 lambs raised, the weights of the fleeces, and the values for these 

 products. The lamb and wool yields depend largely upon the breed 

 selected. With ewes of any one of the medium-sized mutton breeds 

 115 per cent of lambs can be raised, and 150 per cent is not infre- 

 quently reached. Lambs are most in demand when fat at a weight 

 of from 65 to 80 pounds. These weights and sufficient fatness can 

 be obtained at from 4 to 5 months of age with very little grain feed- 

 ing, and before the lambs eat much of the forage in pasturage, if the 

 ewes' feed produces a continuous and plentiful supply of milk. 



The wool returns vary from 7 to 11 pounds per ewe. The larger 

 mutton breeds yield more, as do also the fine wools, but the value per 

 pound of the latter is usually less on account of the greater propor- 

 tion of natural grease or yolk present, 



It is difficult to estimate satisfactorily the net returns from a flock 

 of ewes. In comparison with cattle and swine, sheep can be made to 

 yield practically the same net returns on the value of the land, if 

 well cared for, and if kept on lands reasonably well adapted for 

 sheep raising. 



For farms of all-arable land the Illinois Experiment Station 1 has 

 recommended a plan of live-stock production which includes 80 ewes 

 (1 ewe to 2 acres) along with 22 breeding cows and 12 brood sows. 

 Arable land of the best class when used exclusively for sheep can be 

 made to support from 5 to 8 ewes (with their lambs until marketed) 



UlttVl 



Circular entitled " Facts Regarding Mixed System of Farming." 



