FEEDS AND FEEDING 255 



Succulent and Rough Feeds. — Sheep should be given 

 some succulent feed. In the winter, this is best provided 

 in the form of moderate amounts of corn silage or roots. 

 Two poimds of rutabagas daily per animal is sufficient. 

 If frozen materials are fed, serious sickness or even 

 death may follow. Moldy silage may also lead to the 

 same results. For roughage, clover and alfalfa hay cannot 

 be surpassed. Cowpeas, or common field peas are also 

 good ; and for fattening sheep, pea-vine silage is especially 

 valuable. 



Concentrated Feeds for the Breeding Flock. — For the 

 breeding flock, the best concentrated feeds are bran and 

 oats, mixed in the proportion of 3 parts of oats to 2 parts 

 of bran. This ration, fed about one half poimd daily 

 with alfalfa or clover hay, will keep the flock in good con- 

 dition. No grain need be fed until the spring season ap- 

 proaches. Extra feed and care at this time is well paid 

 for in increased returns, and grain given to the ewes and 

 to the lambs is generally economical. 



Early Feeding. — If the dam is well fed, the lamb de- 

 rives the benefit. By the time the lambs are a month old 

 they have learned to eat grain from their mother's feed 

 trough. At this time it is well to provide a " creep," 

 separating the pen of the mother from another pen provided 

 with a trough for the lambs. In this way the lambs can be 

 fed alone. For growth, a good mixture to be fed all through 

 the summer in small amounts consists of i part wheat bran, 

 2 parts oats, 2 parts corn meal, and i part oil meal. At 

 about the age of five months the lambs should be taken away 

 to a fresh pasture out of sight and hearing of their dams. 



Feeding for Fattening. — If lambs are to be fattened 

 they may be fed a. half pound dafly ration made up of 



