CHAPTEE XLII 



MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP ON RANGES IN THE 



WEST 



Basis of Management. — The management of sheep on the 

 ranges of the West is based on the handling of a band which varies 

 in size from 1200 to 3000 animals, depending on the nature of 

 the range and the kind of sheep. For instance, if the grazing has 

 to he conducted over narrow stretches of land part of the time, 

 the band has to be comparatively small, for if it is not, the sheep 

 in the rear will find very little to eat. Ewes and lambs have to be 

 kept in small bands, because the lambs are inclined to stray out 

 where predatory animals miay get them, and caring for a very large 

 band of them requires more work than the average herder can do. 

 It is customary to place 1250 ewes and their lambs in one band. 

 In total this amounts to a considerable number, but as a rule 

 sheepmen regard bands of ewes with their lambs as being small. 



Large bands are composed of dry sheep, that is sheep not suck- 

 ling lambs. After the lambs have been weaned and the sheep placed 

 on the winter range, the bands are usually of good size, provided 

 the range is extensive and narrow stretches of grazing can be 

 avoided. Under such conditions as many as 3500 sheep can be 

 placed in a band. 



Labor Required to Handle a Band of Sheep. — Aside from 

 the lambing and shearing periods, only two men, a " herder " and 

 a " cami:i-tender," are required to manage a band. 



The Herder. — It is the duty of the herder to care for the sheep. 

 If he is faithful and efficient, he is up and after them as soon as 

 they begin to move in the morning, which is usually at daybreak. 

 For two or three hours he guards and guides them or until they 

 are ready to lie down and to chew the cud. He takes this oppor- 

 tunity to prepare his breakfast unless he arose early enough to eat 

 before his sheep started' from their bedding ground. Eeally the 

 latter is a better procedure, for by carrying his lunch with him, 

 he can he near his sheep throughout the day. The herder plans 

 402 



