FEEDING SHEEP AND GOATS 323 
Feeding Ewes.— Where individual attention can be given to 
the breeding ewes, as in the case of mutton breeds, it is desirable to 
secure as many twin lambs as possible, while under western range 
conditions one lamb to each ewe has been found to give the best 
results. If the ewes are in a vigorous, well-nourished condition 
“ when mated, they are more sure to breed and will give birth to 
more twins and triplets than when in a thin, run-down condition; 
hence the practice of “ flushing” ewes has become common among 
breeders of mutton sheep; i.e., these are fed heavily for two or 
three weeks prior to breeding time by supplying plenty of easily 
digestible feed, like rape, cabbage, or grain, in addition to pasturage 
or dry roughage. Breeding ewes in good condition do not need 
much grain during the winter; one-half pound of a mixture of oats 
and wheat bran (3 to 1 by weight) per head daily for ewes weighing 
about 150 pounds is sufficient, with a couple of pounds of good dry 
roughage, like legume hay, oat hay, nice fodder corn, etc., and two 
to three pounds of succulent feeds, either silage or roots. Silage 
from nearly-matured corn, containing not too many ears, may be 
fed to advantage to pregnant ewes, but moldy, spoiled, or very acid 
silage must not be fed, nor frozen roots or silage. More silage may 
be fed after lambing, when feeds favoring the milk secretion arc 
especially valuable. To avoid milk fever, but little grain is fed 
for a few days after lambing. After this period, when the danger of 
milk fever is passed, the ewes may be gradually brought over to 
a full grain allowance. Dry roughage and succulent feeds may be 
fed safely both before and after lambing. 
Ewes’ milk contains, on the average, about 7 per cent of fat, but 
great variations occur in the composition of milk, both in case of 
ewes of different breeds and of ewes of the same breed. Konig gives 
2.16 and 12.78 per cent as the extremes of the per cent of fat in ewes’ 
milk according to European analyses. At the Wisconsin station the 
milk from 14 ewes of six different breeds contained 12.2 per cent 
solids and 7.1 per cent fat on the average; the average daily milk 
yield from these ewes was 2.8 pounds.* 
Feeding the Ram.—The ram must be kept in a vigorous, thrifty 
condition in order to give good service. No grain is necessary while 
on pasture, except a little for about a month prior to the breeding 
season. Fattening feeds should be avoided ; a common grain mixture 
consisting of oats and bran (2 to 1 by weight) can be fed in connec- 
tion with a good quality of hay. Clean, pure water and salt must be 
supplied as in the case of all sheep. 
‘Report 1904. 
