FEED AND CARE OF SHEEP 23 1 



^ to I lb. of dry roughage. As corn silage contains some 

 grain, the dry grain may be reduced when it is fed. 



Grass Hays. — Lambs fed on grass hays should receive some 

 protein concentrate to balance the ration. Most of the grass 

 hays are suitable. Millet hay is not favored by sheep feeders 

 because it sometimes produces scours. 



Roots like silage furnish succulence, keep the digestive tract 

 in good condition, and increase the appetite. In the European 

 countries and Canada roots are used a great deal in feeding 

 sheep. The feeding of roots in the United States is not as 

 profitable as feeding silage in sections where corn may be grown 

 extensively. In the South it ought to prove profitable to raise 

 roots in the winter for sheep feeding, as the land is often idle 

 during the winter and roots are off the land in time to plant 

 the summer crops. Some dry roughage should be fed with 

 roots. Roots are especially desirable during seasons when sheep 

 are off from pasture. Mangels and sugar beets are popular 

 roots for feeding sheep. Two to 4 lbs. a day are sufficient. 



Wet Beet Pulp may be utilized at points near sugar factories. 

 The laxative effect of beet pulp may be eliminated by using 

 a little dry roughage as straw or stover. On account of the 

 large amount of water in beet pulp it is not desirable in large 

 quantities when finishing lambs. 



Dried Beet Pulp is a fattening food suitable for sheep. The 

 market price 'of this feed will determine whether or not it 

 can be profitably used. It is not as valuable as corn. 



Straw. — When other roughage is scarce, straw may be fed as 

 part of the roughage. Straw is inferior to hay as feed and 

 when other roughage is available straw is undesirable. Some- 

 times a feeder may use straw entirely to furnish roughage, in 

 which case the grain must be increased to balance the ration. 

 Oat straw is better than wheat, rye, or barley straw. 



Feeding Period, Rate of Gain, Etc. — Lambs fed grain on pas- 

 ture should be ready for market in 5 to 8 weeks after being 

 placed in the feed lot. The total feeding period for sheep 

 and lambs when preparing for market should not last over 

 15 weeks and often in 12 to 14 weeks they are ready. Lambs 



