CHAPTER XXXII 

 THE CARE OF SHEEP 



The establishment of a flock of sheep reqviires deciding 

 upon the type or kind to be kept and the initial numbei' with 

 which to begin. As a rule, pure-bred sheep may be pur- 

 chased at a modest price, and, for one who loves animals, a 

 flock of pure breeding is to be recommended. To keep the 

 breed most common in the neighborhood is preferable, for 

 thus one secures a larger opportunity both to buy and sell 

 than by keeping an uncommon breed. In the eastern United 

 States from 15 to 25 ewes will be enough with which to be- 

 gin. Then, with experience, the flock may be increased to 

 fit local conditions. On the average small farm, however, 

 a flock of 50 ewes will do better than a larger number. West 

 of the Mississippi river on the larger farms and the range, 

 sheep husbandry is a special commercial proposition, in which 

 the flock, divided into groups or "bands," as they say in the 

 West, may number from hundreds into thousands. The 

 ewes to be selected should be uniform in type, have good 

 breed character, show strong feminine sex, and give evidence 

 of shearing well. A first-class ram should head the flock, 

 strong in masculinity, but of the same type as the ewes. 

 Great care should be exercised to select a really good ram, 

 both in individual merit and pedigree. 



Grouping the flock of sheep according to age and sex is 

 important. After weaning, the ewe lambs should be fed by 

 themselves, the ram lambs and wethers being kept by them- 

 selves for special attention and feeding. The yearling ewes 

 also require individual attention as they come to breeding 

 age. The ewes with lambs at foot run together, and should 

 be by themselves; but, when the lambs are weaned, the dams 



379 



