﻿26 BULLETIN 20, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



ATTENTION TO EWES AFTER WEANING. 



The ewes should be watched carefully for a few days after the lambs 

 are taken away. Most of them, especially the heavy milkers, will 

 have to be partially milked out a few times. Some will not have to 

 be milked more than twice, others perhaps four or five times. As 

 the period of drying up progresses, gradually increase the time 

 between milkings. A ewe can be quickly milked by backing her up 

 against a fence so that she can not go backwards, and pressing the 

 knees against her shoulders so that she can not go forward. Both 

 hands can then be used. Ewes can also be milked out conveniently 

 by setting them upon their rumps, as the operator can see better 

 what he is doing. Inflammation and caked udders are the result of 

 inattention at this time, and the best ewes of the flock suffer most. 



CARE DURING REMAINDER OF SEASON. 



The time between the weaning of the lambs and mating should be 

 a "resting up" season for the ewes. As a rule they have lost more 

 or less flesh in nursing the lambs, and their systems need toning up. 

 This can best be brought about by an abundance of good pasture, 

 pure water, and shade. Frequent changes of pasture are essential 

 for best results. The flock should be aided in every way in regaining 

 lost vitality, and put in a flourishing condition for the next season's 

 work. 



CARE OF LAMBS. 



Spring lambs should come early enough so that they will be old 

 enough to eat grass when the ewes are turned out to pasture. Early 

 lambs seem to have more vigor and vitality and they seem better 

 able to resist the attacks of parasites than late ones. They entirely 

 escape most of the ills common to young lambs, consequently they 

 make more rapid growth and thrive much better. For these reasons 

 it is best to have lambs come early. 



REVIVING WEAK LAMBS. 



Sometimes a lamb is born very weak and seems almost dead when 

 delivered. It may not even be breathing. The phlegm should be 

 cleaned out of its mouth and nostrils and artificial respiration started. 

 This may be done by breathing into the lamb's mouth three or four 

 times, then holding it with one hand upon its belly, patting it with 

 the other just back of the shoulders. It may be necessary to repeat 

 the operation three or four times. Many apparently lifeless lambs 

 have been revived in this way. 



HELPING LAMBS NURSE. 



It is often necessary to help the lamb nurse the first time. It may 

 be unable to find the teats itself or the ewe may refuse to allow it to 

 suck. After helping it a few times it is usually able to take care of 

 itself. 



