114 MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING OF SHEEP 



weight of the mixture, as lambs are not particularly fond 

 of bran ; oats and wheat in the proportions of, say, three 

 and one parts respectively. Among those fed to lambs 

 which are to be sent to the block are the following: Corn 

 and bran, of which not more than 33 per cent shall be 

 bran ; corn, bran and oil cake in the proportions of, say 

 six, two, and one parts by weight. Oats fed freely along 

 with corn at the first will add much to its suitability, but 

 later if oats should be dear, they may be gradually elim- 

 inated from the ration. The quantity to feed will man- 

 ifestly be much influenced, first, by the character of the 

 grazing, and, second, by the disposition that is to be made 

 of the lambs. It is seldom necessary to feed more than a 

 pound per animal per day, and usually half that amount 

 will suffice. 



When lambs have not been fed grain previously to the 

 weaning season, they may not begin to eat it at once. In 

 such instances some grain should be kept in a trough 

 placed where the lambs are much inclined to congregate 

 when taking rest. They will soon learn to eat. No such 

 difficulty arises with lambs that have taken grain at an 

 earlier age. It is usually most convenient to feed the 

 lambs in the field. A very simple feeding trough may be 

 made by nailing together two-inch boards from 6 to 7 

 inches wide, so as to make a V, and supporting the same 

 at a suitable height by 2 x 4-inch scantlings nailed 

 together like the legs of a sawhorse. The height from the 

 ground should be made to conform to the size of the 

 lambs. One end of the trough should be left open to 

 allow water to escape. A narrow strip, say, 1x2 inches 

 and not less than 3 to 4 feet long, should be nailed on 

 edge against the scantlings that support the trough and 

 just at the base of the same. The object is to prevent 

 the lambs from overturning the trough should they rub 

 against it. 



Castrating lambs — The best age for castrating lambs 

 is when they are about three days old. In any event cas- 



