SHEEP 



585 



spring, only six were strong enough to 

 live in spite of the utmost care during 

 lambing. The same ewes in the suc- 

 ceeding seasons, when allowed more shed 

 space and exposure to dry cold, made 

 strong, healthy lambs. 



The keeping of breeding ewes in un- 

 ventilated, basement barns, or in stables 

 warm enough for dairy cows, is a mis- 

 take always attended by losses in the 

 lamb crop. 



About 10 square feet of floor space 

 should be allowed to each sheep weigh- 

 ing 100 pounds or 15 square feet to each 

 sheep weighing 150 pounds. 



Racks for feeding_I n feeding the 

 ewes from racks, a rack space of 18 to 

 24 inches should be allowed for each 

 sheep, either for feeding grain or hay. 



sometimes create a panic. Some sheep- 

 men make a habit of whistling or talk- 

 ing to the sheep as they approach them 

 unexpectedly. Whenever sheep are han- 

 dled, gentleness and quietness should be 

 insisted upon. This may prove of the 

 utmost value at lambing time, when it 

 may be necessary to give assistance to 

 the ewes. A shepherd's crook should 

 always be used in catching sheep at 

 lambing or shearing time. 



Winter feeding breeding ewes — The 

 ideal winter rations for breeding ewes 

 ccnsist of well cured clover or alfalfa 

 hay, with a small grain ration and some 

 roots or silage in addition. Good mixed 

 hays stand next in value, followed by 

 well cured pea and oat hay mixtures. 

 Well put up corn fodder, especially if 



Fig. 372 — cotswold ram and ewe 



Racks in which grain are fed, should be 

 broad, shallow and flat, and 4 to 5 inches 

 deep. 



The hay rack should be so arranged 

 that chaff and dirt cannot fall down 

 upon the backs of the sheep while feeding 

 as the dirt works its way into the wool 

 and decreases its selling price, 4 to 10 

 cents a pound. 



Handling ewes— I n the handling of 

 ewes, and in fact, all sheep, it must be 

 remembered that they are naturally 

 timid and of a nervous disposition. And 

 the highest success in sheep raising can- 

 not be expected unless the breeder by his 

 quiet manners and gentleness inspires 

 confidence in them. A sudden distur- 

 bance of any kind, like the bark of a 

 dog, will startle the whole flock and 



fed with some of the more nitrogenous 

 grains, makes an excellent roughage for 

 sheep, and one which they relish. It 

 proved superior in feeding value and 

 cheaper at the Wisconsin station when 

 fed with oats and bran than either oat 

 straw or blue grass hay. The cost of the 

 ration on corn fodder was 1 cent daily 

 for each ewe. Following corn fodder in 

 value came good prairie hay, cut oat 

 straw, pea straw, barley straw, sorghum, 

 etc. 



Grain rations — In addition to these 

 coarse fodders, each ewe should be given 

 a fourth to a half a pound of grain 

 daily. If alfalfa, clover, or pea hay is 

 used, less grain will be required. In 

 fact, many feeders give no grain what- 

 ever with these hays. It is advisable, 



