182 Sheep-Farming 



the coarse portions of the ration. Some succulent 

 fodder, such as silage or roots, should be fed so as to 

 keep the ram from becoming constipated. From 

 2 to 3 pounds of coarse fodder will generally be found 

 suflScient as a daily ration for a ram in addition to 

 the grain before mentioned. A ration of this kind 

 will usually keep a ram hearty, and if care is taken to 

 give him suflBcient exercise, no disorders are likely 

 to result. Like bulls, rams are peculiarly subject 

 to troubles of the urinary organs. Such ailments 

 are especially frequent when mangels are fed. On 

 some farms, mangels are used without any apparent 

 injurious results. The likelihood of trouble renders 

 it advisable to use these roots for rams with caution. 

 Lambs that are being wintered, whether ewes, 

 rams, or wethers, require the same general conditions, 

 shelter, and system of feeding as the ewes. The 

 feeding needs to be more liberal, and the proportion 

 of fattening feeds adapted to the object sought. 

 The finishing of sheep for market is the topic of the 

 eleventh chapter. 



