234 Sheep-Farming 



feeds, but, as a rule, not so cheaply. The corn plant 

 should always be the basis of the ration. When fed, 

 dry linseed meal is a valuable supplement. It is 

 very diflficult to make a satisfactory ration without 

 clover, alfalfa, soy bean, or cowpea hay. 



Feeding the lambs. — Soon after the lambs are 

 two weeks old, they will begin to eat and should have 

 a trough from which the old sheep are kept by a creep, 

 through which the lambs can pass, but not the old 

 sheep. The lambs should also have a separate rack 

 for hay and be supplied with choice clover or alfalfa. 

 They should not be required to eat more than the 

 choice part, the balance being removed and fed to 

 the ewes or other stock. The grain for the lambs 

 may consist of corn, wheat, and oats with various 

 mill feeds. Of all concentrates lambs prefer corn. 

 For the very young ones it may be cracked, never 

 finely ground, but after they are a month old, shelled 

 corn is entirely satisfactory, and when alfalfa hay is 

 fed in abundance, may be the only grain. However, 

 a variety of concentrates is always advantageous ; 

 even sugar may be added with profit. When the 

 hay is not the choicest, bran should be used largely, 

 care being taken to have it fresh. A slight mixture 

 of some of the molasses feeds is relished. 



As soon as the lambs are eating well, they should 

 be retained in the stable, though the mothers go out 

 to graze. It is advisable to keep the lambs as quiet 

 as possible. Lambs are easily separated from their 



