38 Practical Sheep Husbandry 



Ticks are a nuisance, and sheep infested with them will not fatten nearly 

 so well. It is also well to take every precaution against scab, because 

 if it breaks out in the winter time it is hard to conrol, and great incon- 

 venience and risk is encountered if sheep have to be dipped in the dead 

 of winter. 



MANAGING THE FLOCK THROUGH THE SUMMER 



When it is not practicable or possible to market lambs early and 

 they are to be run through and fattened on the fall roughage with 

 grain, a few suggestions for managing the summer flock may prove 

 useful. 



Weaning 



If lambs are being prepared for the early market, it is well not to 

 wean them until they are placed on the market. But when they are to 

 be carried through, lambs should be weaned reasonably early, as a pair 

 of robust lambs are very rough with a ewe, especially if they are not 

 getting all the milk they want, and no grain is being given to offset 

 this. It does not do a lamb any good to keep thrusting its nose after 

 the teat, under the hot flanks of the ewe. Both mother and lamb are 

 better off if separated. There is, of course, a natural weaning time, 

 but under certain conditions they ought to be weaned before this time. 



STOMACH WORM 



Progressive System of Changing Pasture Recommended as Remedy 



Lambs are much more affected by the stomach worm than the older 

 sheep, and it is often possible to shift them on to newer and unused 

 pastures through the hot months. The progressive system of pasturing 

 and forage crops are receiving the most consideration as a remedy for 

 the stomach worm. 



In the early spring, rye or wheat fields can be utilized to give the 

 blue grass or tame pastures a chance to get started. Then the sheep 

 can be shifted to the clover pasture, and again on the clover meadow, 

 after the hay is cut. From there to the stubble fields, and then into 

 the corn fields, where with an added amount of grain the sheep or lambs 

 that are to be marketed are made fat. Of course there are the forage 

 crops, such as rape, soy beans, etc. Through the summer months sheep 

 should not remain on one pasture more than two or three weeks at a 

 time. Lowlands should be avoided, especially on wet, rainy days, be- 

 cause it is when the grass is wet that the stomach worms crawl up the 

 blades of grass, and are ready to be taken by any animal that comes 

 along. It is claimed that stomach worms are much worse on lowlands 

 than on high. There should always be shade, and if there are no trees, 

 then some shelter from the hot sun should be furnished. 



Progressive System on 160-Acre Farm 



F. R. Marshall of the Department of Animal Industry, offers the 



