210 Western Live-stock Management 



considerable variety but the best results are obtained when 

 this variety is uniformly fed! Gradual changes from one 

 feed to another are not harmful but often beneficial. 



CLEANLINESS 



Because sheep are great weed destroyers and utilize 

 the odds and ends about the farm, it is often assumed that 

 they are not particular about what they eat. This is a 

 mistake. Sheep picking weeds and odds and ends select 

 the more choice parts and consume them fresh. If offered 

 feed that has been nosed over by other stock, they will 

 refuse it or will eat it without a relish. Feeding troughs 

 in which feed has been allowed to accumulate and sour 

 are extremely distasteful to them. Feed-racks so arranged 

 as to let the hay down a little at a time, thus preventing 

 the sheep from breathing on it, are the best. Cleanliness 

 is of the utmost importance in the feeding of all classes of 

 sheep. 



EXERCISE 



Exercise is very conducive to the natural development 

 of the sheep. This is particularly true of growing stock. 

 Young sheep confined too closely are very likely to be 

 delicate in their later life and not attain normal develop- 

 ment. Plenty of exercise and good feed are the two main 

 factors necessary for a good breeding flock. Exercise 

 prevents the ewe from accumulating too much body fat 

 and at the same time it makes her appetite much keener. 

 In the case of lambs that are being fattened for the market, 

 as much exercise is not needed as in the case of growing or 

 breeding stock. However, they should not be confined too 

 closely because of the effect that exercise has on the 

 appetite. Gains made by sheep depend very largely on 



