Autumn Management of the Flock 173 



always practical and the demands are extreme, 

 troubles with stock rams are more common. Ab- 

 normal condition, either from underfeeding or over- 

 feeding, is likely to result unfavorably. A good 

 robust, vigorous condition with moderate fatness is 

 what is needed in the ram at the beginning of breed- 

 ing and should be maintained as far as possible dur- 

 ing the season. 



Number of ewes to a ram. — A ram that is a yearl- 

 ing or older, when running in the field with the ewes, 

 should serve fifty ewes. To do this, he should be 

 taken out and fed grain at least once each day. 

 Ram lambs will do well as sires if well grown and used 

 only moderately. About twenty is as large a num- 

 ber of ewes as can be relied upon for good results 

 when bred to a ram lamb. 



If more than one ram is mated, it is good economy 

 to divide the ewes into flocks according to their 

 adaptability to the separate rams. If rams are kept 

 up, however, each ewe may be assigned to a particular 

 ram as she comes in heat and is ready to be bred. 

 By keeping the ram away from the flock, he can 

 care for nearly twice as many ewes as when running 

 in the field, because each ewe is served but once and 

 the ram's vitality thereby conserved. When this 

 plan is followed, the ram is turned among the ewes 

 in the morning or both morning and evening. The 

 ewes that appear to be In heat are taken out and 

 allowed a single service. A ram well cared for and 



