368 GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS IN FEEDING 



quarters should be kept in the same condition each day with respect 

 to noise. Many expert shepherds insist on quiet surroundings for 

 the sheep under their care. And they have good reason for doing 

 so, but it is better to move about in the barn in a straightforward, 

 deliberate manner than to tiptoe cautiously about. Unusual noises 

 and circumstances are -^hat cause sheep to jump to their feet and 

 stampede to the opposite side of the barn or lot. 



Animals " Off Feed." — In spite of good care, good feeds, and 

 good water, fattening sheep or lambs will go " off feed " occasionally. 

 If a large percentage of the animals are indifferent towards their 

 feed it is advisable to reduce immediately the amount of feed, it 

 being often advisable to omit entirely the concentrate part of the 

 ration for one or two feeds. In case a few refuse to eat for two or 

 three successive feedings, they should be placed in a pen by them- 

 selves and drenched with three ounces of Epsom salts dissolved in 

 water. Use just enough water to get the salts into a solution. Al- 

 though only a few may refuse to eat, it is usually advisable to reduce 

 the quantity of concentrates being fed to the main flock for at least 

 two or three feeds. 



QUESOIONS 



1. Why do feeder sheep and lambs reach the market in largest numbers 



in the fall ? 



2. What is the purpose of sheep feeding? 



3. What must one take into consideration when starting in the business 



of feeding? 



4. What things would you consider in trying to determine a future 



market ? 



5. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of feeding in a dry lot. 



6. Is there ahy advantage of first feeding in the fields and then finishing 



in the dry lot? 



7. What kind of shelter is needed to protect the feeder sheep? 



8. What is the variation in length of the feeding period for lambs? 



9. How would you start the sheep or lambs on feed? 



10. What is the chief problem of starting them directly in the dry lot? 



11. Discuss a method of increasing the feed. 

 12.. When are sheep and lambs on full feed? 



13. How would you proceed if the sheep or lambs get " oflf feed"? 



