FEEDING SHEEP 387 



winter ration will depend on the kind available. If convenient, 

 succulence of some kind should be provided. On farms where 

 there are silos, nothing is better than corn silage. In the absence 

 of silage, roots will serve, some sheep owners even preferring 

 roots to silage. The roots suggested for late fall use, such as 

 mangels and ruta-bagas, will serve admirably. When such suc- 

 culence is available at the time of changing from pasture to dry- 

 lot, the sheep will suffer no loss whatever. In the absence of 

 silage or roots, a little wheat bran, oats, linseed meal, or similar 

 grain should be fed, particularly to the ewes that are to lamb in 

 the spring. The advisability of feeding grain when succulence 

 is available will depend on the kind of dry forage being fed and 



^ptm^' 



Fig. 126. — Southdown Lambs. A prize pen, owned by Clias. & Jas. Leet, 



Mantua, Ohio. 



on the use to which the lambs are to be put. If winter lambs 

 are desired, grain should be fed. On the other hand, if ewes are 

 not to lamb until time of going to grass, and the dry forage con- 

 sists of clover, alfalfa, or mixed hay, then the grain may be dis- 

 pensed with at least until the sheep show signs of f alHng off in 

 flesh. It may be of advantage to begin grain feeding four to 

 six weeks before lambing time. 



Exercise. — In order to keep the sheep healthy and thrifty 

 they should take exercise daily. This often becomes a serious 

 problem in the cold climates when the ground is covered with 

 deep snow much of the winter season. It may be advisable to 



