Early Lamb-Raising 239 



bottom and the frame arranged so as to let the sash 

 lean in at the top, thus admitting air, but excluding 

 snow or rain. In colder climates, the flock may well 

 be confined to the stable all the time after winter 

 opens. Feed racks must be so designed as to keep 

 lambs out of them, and when ensilage is fed, so as to 

 be closed against the sheep until the feed is dis- 

 tributed. Figure H represents a rack that has been 

 found very satisfactory on the writer's farm, where 

 ensilage is fed. It is equally satisfactory when only 

 dry grain and hay are fed. With the sheep com- 

 pletely shut away from their feed as it is being dis- 

 tributed, they get in the way very little. And they 

 can be avoided entirely by the feeder walking in the 

 rack on the raised center connecting the troughs. 

 I have never seen any other style of rack so entirely 

 satisfactory for feeding large flocks of ewes with 

 lambs. At least one foot of feeding space should be 

 provided for each ewe of the smaller breeds and more 

 for the larger ones. Be sure to have enough so that 

 every ewe can get her full share of feed at each feeding. 

 Floor space. — It is, of course, desirable to reduce 

 the investment in buildings to the minimum per 

 ewe. After ewes have yeaned, no provision for exer- 

 cise for them need be made, and much activity on 

 the part of the lambs is not desirable, as it gives a 

 dark color to the muscles that is objectionable in 

 the dressed carcass. Ten square feet of floor space 

 per ewe, outside of that occupied by racks and the 

 feeding room for lambs, is sufficient. 



