General Care of Sheep and Lambs. 479 



and make the most of the fresh grass and genial sunshine. The 

 early lamb is much less susceptible to stomach worms and many of 

 the evils which attack the later-dropped lambs. Early farm-raised 

 lambs may be fattened and sold before the market is flooded with 

 western range lambs from the feed lots. Where there are poor ac- 

 commodations or cold quarters lambs should not be dropped in 

 northern latitudes earlier than May, and not until the dams are 

 on pasture. 



776. Flushing the ewes. — With the mutton breeds twin lambs 

 are desirable, and to secure as many of them as possible English 

 flockmasters "flush" the ewes at breeding time. They are given an 

 extra allowance of nutritious, highly palatable food for two or three 

 weeks before the desired date of breeding in order that they may 

 be rapidly gaining in flesh at that time. Flushed ewes not only 

 produce more twins, but are also more sure to breed. Craig^ found 

 that ewes suckling twins do not lose any more flesh than those with 

 one lamb only, and that twins make as rapid gains as singles. Under 

 western range conditions, where less attention can be given to the 

 individual ewes, one lamb to each ewe has given the best results. 



777. At lambing time. — As lambing time approaches, the shep- 

 herd should take quarters in the sheep barn or close by, and remain 

 in attendance until the season is over. Lambs of the mutton breeds 

 are often in need of quick, intelligent attention from the shepherd 

 as they enter the world. A chilled new-born lamb is best warmed 

 by immersion in water as hot as the hand can bear. When well 

 warmed it should be wiped dry, taken to its mother, and held until 

 supplied with her milk.- If the young lamb is unable to draw milk 

 within a few minutes after birth, it should have patient, intelligent 

 help at this time. To this end the ewe must sometimes be held, and 

 the lamb aided, the whole being accomplished by that patient skill so 

 characteristic of the good shepherd, but so impossible of description. 

 One twin is usually weaker than the other, and frequently the mother 

 cares only for the stronger one. Here the shepherd's tact serves well 

 in promptly helping the weaker member to its full share of food. 

 Lambs can be successfully reared on cow's milk, tho close attention 

 is necessary during the first month. Warm cow's milk with some 

 cream added can be fed from a teapot over the spout of which a rub- 

 ber "cot" with an opening in the end has been placed, or a nursing 

 bottle may be used. At first the lamb should be fed 15 to 18 times 

 a day, and later half a dozen times. When a ewe refuses to own her 



^ Wis. Ept. 1899. - Wing, Sheep Farming in America. 



