LAMBS FROM BIRTH UNTIL WEANED 97 



confining more than one ewe at a time. In the stationary 

 pen, it may be necessary to have divisions, portable or 

 otherwise, in which to keep the ewes separate from one 

 another. 



When it is not known just when the ewes are to yean, 

 it may be well to examine the flock occasionally, and to 

 separate from the others the dams that are soon to yean. 

 The most important indication of the near approach of 

 the time of yeaning is the condition of the udder. It, of 

 course, enlarges and fills out, as a rule, before the lambs 

 are produced, and the teats distend. If ewes are cast or 

 thrown for the purpose of examining the udder, the 

 handling should be of the gentlest character. Such ex- 

 amination is seldom necessary at intervals less than a 

 week apart. The first indication of actual yeaning is a 

 restless movement and a distracted look. Then follow 

 indications too apparent to be mistaken. 



Special care at the lambing season — The lambing 

 season is the flockmaster's harvest. If the losses at such 

 a time are frequent, the profits will be cut down accord- 

 ingly. To keep the percentage of loss down to a mini- 

 mum at such a season should be the honest, earnest en- 

 deavor of every shepherd. But even with the best of 

 care, some losses may usually be looked for in a large 

 flock. Many of the ewes will bring forth their young in 

 the night. The presence of the shepherd at such a time 

 may result in saving the life of a lamb and even of a ewe ; 

 hence when the sheep are yet in the sheds, the shepherd 

 should not fail to visit the flock at midnight, and again 

 in the very early morning. The more inclement the 

 weather the greater is the necessity for such nocturnal 

 vigils. Where the flock is large it may be necessary 

 sometimes for the shepherd to remain much of the night 

 with the flock. Such vigils may be trying, but they are a 

 part of the true shepherd's work, and they will be un- 

 grudgingly given by a shepherd who has his work suffi- 

 ciently at heart. At such times he should not fail to sus- 



