172 Sheep-Farming 



Having ewes in condition to insure a short lamb- 

 ing season and a good percentage of lambs does not 

 mean that they should be in market or show con- 

 dition. The main thing is that they be gaining when 

 bred. The methods practiced by British shepherds 

 for getting ewes into good breeding condition is 

 called "flushing." After weaning the lambs, it is 

 desirable to run ewes on short pasture until the flow 

 of milk has stopped. After this, if they are turned on 

 good pasture, nothing more is ordinarily needed. 

 Good grass pastures will suflice or, if that is not avail- 

 able, rape or rye or other forage crops will answer. 

 If there is no suitable grazing, a light ration of grain 

 containing not more than one half corn can be used 

 to good advantage. There is no advantagein stinting 

 ewes that are in lamb. The demands of the fetus 

 are not^so. great at first as in the last months of preg- 

 nancy. A continuation of the food given at breeding 

 time might bring the ewes into higher condition than 

 is necessary or desirable, but this will depend upon 

 the pasturage and the feeds at hand during winter. 



The ram in the breeding season. — The main req- 

 uisite in the management of the ram during the 

 breeding season is to prevent his getting into a run- 

 down condition through overuse or underfeeding 

 or both. If either of these conditions is permitted, 

 there may be a total suspension of the ability to 

 breed, but this is not likely to occur in farm flocks 

 of ordinary size. On the range where feeding is not 



