410 MANUAL OF FARM ANIMALS 



served in the same week should receive a similar mark. Those 

 served one week may be marked on the back, or top of head, 

 with red paint, the second with black, those served during the 

 third week with green, and so on, using a different color each 

 week. By this method one can tell the week the ewe was 

 served, when the lamb may be expected, and when the entire 

 flock of ewes has been mated. 



Managing the ram. — During the day the ram should be kept 

 in a quiet cool place, and out of sight of the ewe flock. He should 

 be fed liberally on stimulating food, such as oats, bran, and 

 clover or alfalfa hay. In the closed season, when not in use, 

 he should have the run of a paddock. In summer this should 

 contain sufficient grass for much of his feed, although he should 

 be fed grain in addition. In winter he should be treated much 

 as the flock, but kept in a quiet place and away from all un- 

 necessary noise and excitement. 



The pregnant ewe. — The proper care of the ewe flock during 

 pregnancy will do much to lessen the difficulties at parturition 

 time and subsequently. The ewes must be kept in fair flesh, 

 neither too fat nor too thin. The wool deceives, and one is likely 

 to think the ewes in good condition when in reality they may 

 be thin. Being thin, the ewe has no milk, and will not own 

 the lamb, which must be raised by hand, — a very difficult 

 task, and entirely impracticable when there are many lambs. 

 On the other hand, if the ewes are fed abundantly on oats, 

 wheat bran, and clover or alfalfa hay, the lambs get so large 

 that there is much trouble in giving birth. In such cases, ewes 

 are likely to perish at lambing time, although such as do 

 survive will raise thrifty, vigorous lambs. Better results will 

 follow taking a middle course. 



The pregnant ewe fl'ock should be liberally fed such foods as 

 will develop bone and muscle, but not to excess. If the dry 

 forage is cornstalks, then feed wheat bran and oats for the grain 

 part of the ration; and if the dry fodder is clover or alfalfa hay, 



