THE SHEEP. 67 



MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP AT YEANING- 

 TIME. 



For six weeks before yeaning-tlme, the ewe should be 

 deprived of most of her accustomed supply of potatoes, 

 &c., as these are calculated to produce an over-supply 

 of milk, which may seriously injure her ; at the time 

 of yeaning-, however, should a small quantity be given 

 her, it will tend to strengthen her. Sheep turned into 

 the field at such a time, generally need no assistance, yet 

 they ought to be looked after night and morning, and, if 

 possible, kept separate from the flock during the night, 

 or kept only with others in like condition. If yeaning- 

 time comes while the nights are cold and frosty, the ewes 

 should be warmly housed. 



MANAGEMENT OF LAMBS. 



Lambs, for a few days fi'om their birth, are very fee- 

 ble, and require particular attention. It frequently hap- 

 pens that young sheep will not own their lambs ; and 

 where there is a large flock the lambs frequently get 

 changed. In either of the above cases, it is necessary 

 to hold the sheep until the lamb has drawn the milk 

 a few times ; first, however, uncapping the teat, and ta- 

 king away a small quantity of milk. It sometimes hap- 

 pens that the lamb is too weak to stand ; it then becomes 

 necessary to lay the sheep down and put the lamb to the 

 teat ; and if, from ignorance, the lamb should refuse to 

 draw the milk, the teat must be put in its mouth, and the 

 difficulty will soon be obviated. Should there be an abun- 

 dance of wool on the sheep's bag, calculated to prevent 

 the lamb having free access to the teats, it may be 

 sheared off*. In cold weather it frequently happens that 

 lambs are dropped in the field or yard, and are found 

 cold and stiff, and apparently beyond resuscitation ; their 

 lives can, however, often be preserved by conveying 

 them to a moderately warm room, enveloping them in 

 woollen cloths, and giving them warm new milk. In 

 case sheep produce twins, the ewe may not aff'ord a suf- 

 ficient supply of milk for both. One of the lambs can 

 easily be brought up by hand, or the sheep can be fed 

 liberally with potatoes or turnips to increase the quantity 



