Feeding Sheep 237 
379. The flock in winter.—In winter the flock is entirely 
dependent on the care of the owner, and it must receive more 
careful attention than during the summer. This is the season of 
catarrhs, running at the nose, inflammation, diarrhcea, and the 
like. When convenient, the change from the fields to the yards 
should be made gradually. The flock should be yarded at night 
as soon as the pastures become crisp from night frosts, as frosty 
forage is likely to lead to digestive disorders. Hay should be 
provided in the lot, so that the sheep will not go to pasture hungry 
in the forenoon. If on permanent pasture, or where there is 
much old grass, such yarding is not so necessary, as the sheep 
will feed on the dead grass in preference to the frosty succulent 
grass. 
380. The winter ration. — The feeds that should enter into the 
winter ration will depend on the kind available. If convenient, 
succulence of some kind should be provided. On farms where 
there are silos, nothing is better than corn silage. In the absence 
of silage, roots will serve, some sheep owners even preferring roots 
to silage. The roots suggested for late fall use, such as mangels 
and rutabagas, will serve admirably. Some grain as wheat bran, 
oats, linseed meal, and the like should be fed, particularly to the 
ewes that are to lamb in the spring. Clover, alfalfa, and mixed 
hays constitute the best dry forage. 
381. Exercise. — In order to keep the sheep healthy and thrifty 
they should take exercise daily. This often becomes a serious 
problem in the cold climates when the ground is covered with deep 
snow much of the winter season. It may be advisable to remove 
the snow from parts of the lot, and feed them some dry forage in 
some spot not too near the winter quarters. 
382. Care of the feet. — During the winter season, when the 
sheep are rather closely confined, it is important to watch the feet 
and see that the toes do not grow out too long, as they very often 
do at this season of the year. Long toes should be trimmed. 
The aim in trimming should be to keep the feet natural, so that 
