212 Sheep-Farming 



to winter quarters, they are accustomed to the feeds 

 that must be used there. 



Ewe lambs to be kept for breeders will do well 

 enough under the same treatment until the finishing 

 for market is begun. If ram lambs are kept, they 

 may run with the ewe lambs some weeks after wean- 

 ing, but it is preferable that they should be separated 

 at the same time. Whether to be sold as lambs or 

 carried into yearling form, the rams require grain 

 through the fall to secure full development, without 

 which rams of any age are poor sellers. 



Time for shearing. — - Shearing may be discussed 

 as a part of either spring or summer management. 

 The time at which it may best be done depends upon 

 location, housing facilities, and time of lambing for 

 breeding ewes. There may be actual losses or seri- 

 ous setbacks for some sheep if the wool is removed 

 early and warm quarters not provided. Fattening 

 sheep thrive especially well when relieved of their 

 fleeces and can be penned more closely so that there 

 is no particular expense or difficulty in affording 

 necessary warmth and shelter. Wooled sheep usu- 

 ally sell on the market at a price that takes into ac- 

 count the value of the fleece on the basis of the wool 

 market at the time. If one prefers to wait for a 

 change in the wool market, he should shear before 

 shipping. There is another advantage in that a 

 greater number of shorn sheep than of wooled ones 

 can be shipped in a car. 



