SHELTER AND SHADE IN SUMMER 293 



Separating Lambs. — In case some of the male lambs are left 

 entire, which should be the case only in pure-bred flocks, it will be 

 necessary to place them by themselves when their sex instinct 

 becomes marked. This is necessary because some of the older ewe 

 lambs are likely to breed in the autumn months and also because the 

 ram lambs will cause both themselves and the ewes to lose flesh by 

 almost constantly teasing the ewes. 



Treatment of Ewes after the Lambs are Weaned. — When 

 taken from the lambs the ewes should be placed upon rather dry, 

 scant pasture in order to reduce the secretion of milk. Every two 

 or three days those that have full, tight udders should be milked. 

 After the secretion of milk has been checked so that there is no 

 danger of the udder spoiling, the ewes should be given good graz- 

 ing in order to get them in fairly good condition before the 

 beginning of the breeding season. 



Ewes enjoy gleaning over the farm, and after the lambs are 

 weaned, no other run is better for them. At this time they are active 

 and hence able to feed over large areas. If given the Job of cleaning 

 up the neglected fence rows, nooks, and corners, they do so with 

 much relish and to their own benefit. When handled in this way 

 they often eat down the weeds along the fence rows to such extent 

 that mowing is not necessary. In this way weeds are prevented from 

 forming seeds and their spread over the farm is greatly reduced. 

 Insect breeding places are also destroyed. 



If it is not advisable to allow the ewes to glean over the farm 

 after the lambs are weaned, they should be given good pasture. 

 They do not need as succulent pasture, however, as is needed by the 

 lambs, and they often fatten on what seems to be a dry, unwhole- 

 some pasture of bluegrass or timothy. 



Like the lambs, the ewes should have access to salt and good 

 water throughout the summer season. 



Shelter and Shade in Summer. — Shade is of great importance 

 in summer to both ewes and lambs. No field in which they are 

 confined during the day should be without protection from the hot 

 sun (Pig. 1817). 



There is difference of opinion as to what constitutes the best 

 shade. Trees, of course, are natural provisions for escape from the 

 intense heat of the sun, and to the lover of sheep there is no more 

 comely sight than a well-fed flock contentedly lying beneath the 



