FEEDING LAMBS ON GRASS 275 



both ewes and lambs. Such feeds do not produce much growth, but 

 the exercise the lambs get and the regulating effect of what they 

 consume are beneficial to them. It is doubtful whether ewes with 

 lambs at side should be out in rye and clover fields throughout the 

 day so early in the season, for the ground is very cold and damp. 

 From two to four hours is Ibng enough. If it is possible, however, 

 they should be allowed their own choice between the time spent in 

 the field and in the barn. 



Feeding Lambs on Grass. — When lambs are intended for 

 market at weaning time they should be fed grain up to the time 

 they are to be shipped, for they not only make larger gains, but they 

 ship with less shrinkage and make a better meat product than do 

 lambs finished without grain. 



If they are to be taken entirely away from the bams or sheds, a 

 creep should be placed somewhere in the field where they are to 

 graze. One of the best locations is a place where the flock rests and 

 sleeps because such a place is one of the highest and driest spots in 

 the field, and the lambs will take to the creep and feed while their 

 mothers are resting. 



Lambs upon pasture should have plenty of shade, and if there is 

 no natural shade in the pasture an improvised shed should be built 

 near the creeps. Such a shed can be built at small expense and 

 arranged so that it can be transferred from one pasture to another. 



As suggested above, lambs eat a great deal less from the creep 

 after they are turned to grass or forage than they do before that 

 time, and unless the creep is well located they may cease eating 

 grain altogether. The grass is so tender and palatable that they are 

 inclined to forget the gTain, and hence it is necessary to exercise 

 care in locating the creep and in keeping the grain fresh and clean. 

 Occasionally it may be a good plan to cease feeding grain through 

 May and the first week in June when the grass is most sweet and 

 tender and then commence again and continue until the lambs 

 are sold. 



If the lambs are bom late so that the flock is placed on grass by 

 the time they are learning to eat, it is almost impossible to make 

 use of the creep. Sweet, tender grass and the mother's milk seem 

 to satisfy all demands for feed. Since late-born lambs cannot be 

 marketed until autumn or winter, there is really no need to feed 

 grain while they are very young. The writer has found, however, 

 that it is rather difficult to get late-born lambs to eat grain in the 



