Winter Management of the Flock 181 



as occur in oats and bran. These feeds also favor a 

 good milk flow, and their use for a few weeks before 

 and after lambing is highly desirable. The same 

 results may be obtained from other combinations 

 of feeds after experience has been gained, but the 

 only objection there can be to the use of oats and 

 bran at this time is their cost. 



Accessories to the ration. — The breeding flock 

 should have access to water at all times, especially 

 is this true after they have lambed. It will be found 

 then that ewes seem to have an inordinate thirst for 

 water, and it should be supplied to them liberally. 

 Salt should also be within their reach. If they have 

 access to it at all times, they will never eat too much, 

 but if withheld from them for a time, they may 

 possibly eat more than they should when it is again 

 given to them. They seem to get the most from 

 coarse-grained salt, which may be spread on the sills 

 of the shed or put in small boxes used especially 

 for it. 



Rations for rams. — In feeding rams during the 

 winter season, the object is to feed them as cheaply 

 as possible and maintain their health and thrift. 

 Oats and bran and oil meal may be relied on to meet 

 all the requirements of a grain ration. A ram should 

 receive one-half to one pound of this mixture, though 

 the quality should be decided altogether by the 

 condition of the ram. Clover hay, pea straw, or 

 corn fodder are the best foods from which to select 



