FEEDING AND CARE OF BREEDING EWES I37 



3 or 4 weeks they, and also their dams, may be given 

 practically the same rations. 



Food subsequently to lambing — ^After the lambs are 

 a few days old, it is very desirable that the dams shall 

 milk freely, to stimulate growth in the former, as no sub- 

 stitute can be found equal to the milk of the dam to stim- 

 ulate growth in the lambs. To accomplish this all the 

 food fed should be of good quality and ample for the need 

 of the ewes. 



If the roughage provided for winter use is not equal 

 in suitability for producing milk, that which is most suit- 

 able for such a purpose should be saved, if possible, for 

 feeding after the lambs have come. If the fodder is of 

 the same kind and yet differs in quality, that of the best 

 quality should be saved for feeding at such a time. For 

 this stage of the feeding leguminous fodders will be found 

 the most suitable and three feeds rather than two should 

 be given daily. 



Under no conditions is the free feeding of succulent 

 roots more helpful to sheep than when they are nursing 

 their lambs, and under no conditions of feeding should it 

 be fed more freely to them. Where the supply is abun- 

 dant they may be given several pounds daily in the sliced 

 or pulped form. For spring feeding mangels or sugar 

 beets are very suitable, but any kind of roots well pre- 

 served will serve the purpose. Corn ensilage is also good 

 when of good quality and judiciously fed. It must be 

 conceded, however, that it is not equal to field roots for 

 such feeding. When fed in large quantities to ewes giv- 

 ing milk, especially when rich in practically matured grain, 

 it has been claimed that it tends to induce a somewhat 

 heated or feverish condition of the system. But when fed 

 in moderation, that is to say to the extent of not more 

 than two or three pounds daily, especially in the absence 

 of field roots, it has been found to be highly satisfactory. 

 Some successful feeders make it substitute the noon feed 

 of hay rather than feed it morning or evening. Corn sil- 



