396 MANUAL OF FARM ANIMALS 



Growing spring lambs 



Because of the difficulty in getting ewes to conceive suffi- 

 ciently early for the growing of winter Iambs and the disad- 

 vantages of dressing and marketing, many sheep owners prefer 

 to grow spring lambs. There is much profit in selling lambs 

 afoot in May and June. Usually the highest prices are obtained 

 in June, as at this time the supply of winter-fed western lambs 

 is exhausted and the summer-fed lambs are not yet on the 

 market in any considerable number. 



The foundation stock and the management should be much 

 the same as that suggested in growing winter lambs. The 

 ewes should be mated in August, September, and October, as the 

 Iambs should be dropped in late January, February, and March, 

 not later than March. The lambs should be provided with 

 creeps and fed grain in the same manner as advised for winter 

 lambs; for if they are to be marketed in a thick fat condition at 

 the age of four or five months, they must be forced from the 

 beginning. It is rather difficult to fatten lambs for the spring 

 market if they once lose their baby fat. Lambs thus cared for 

 should be able to make a vigorous start before grass comes and 

 be in condition to make the most of it when turned to pasture. 



Lambs dropped in February and thus cared for should make 

 a weight of approximately eighty pounds by the middle of June. 

 As this is the weight demanded of this class of mutton, it should 

 be the aim of the sheep owner to supply it. When there are 

 several lambs or when one is located convenient to market, it 

 maybe advisable to make two drafts, selling the larger and fatter 

 ones say the first of June and the remainder of the lamb flock 

 the latter part of the month. 



Feeding lambs in the fall 



Lambs may be fattened at almost any season, but ordinarily 

 the fattening period extends from September until the follow- 



