SHEEP OX NEW ENGLAND FARMS. 



25 



Wild animals, particularly bears, are said to be quite as great a 

 menace as the dog in some of the more remote regions, but such con- 

 ditions are rare. 



SIZE OF FLOCK. 



Since in New England, with but few exceptions, sheep are kept in 

 small flocks 1 only, the question naturally arises: Are sheep so kept 

 because large flocks are unprofitable? Practically all the farmers 

 interviewed agreed that sheep do better in small flocks, and while 

 some could give no good reason for their belief, others were of the 

 opinion that the better results obtained from small flocks were due 

 to the better care received by each individual. The same principle 

 as regards the strong and weak applies with sheep as with other 

 animals, and it is a great mistake to put weak, immature sheep or 

 old ewes in with a lot of strong individuals and expect all to do well. 



Probably one reason why large flocks have not done better in Eng- 

 land lies in the limited housing space available on the average farm. 

 Most farms on which cattle are kept have housing space for a small 

 flock only, and all growers agree that sheep should not be crowded. 

 Xot only is the wool clipped per head likely to be less when the 

 sheep are kept in crowded quarters, but also the chance for disease, 

 ticks, and improper nourishment is greatly increased. Sheep need, 

 in addition to wholesome feed, plenty of room, a chance to exercise, 

 and good ventilation, none of which can be had in crowded quarters. 

 Some farmers keeping no more than 40 ewes separated them into 

 two flocks, (lining both summer and winter, saying that they ob- 

 tained better results by so doing. It may be that in these cases hous- 

 ing space was so arranged as to accommodate only 20 head in 

 one flock, but in the light of the experience of others, it is believed 

 that as many as 40 sheep, and probably a few more, can be safely 

 handled in one flock, provided all are good strong individuals, hous- 

 ing space is adequate, and feed and pasturage plentiful. 



Farmers' Bulletin 840 points out that at least 30 ewes, or, better 

 still. GO or more, can be much more economically handled than a very 

 small flock, and that because of its being a much more important part 

 of the farm business the large flock is likely to receive more atten- 

 tion and better care than the very small one. 



In a few instances large flocks of sheep are being kept in New 

 England with good success, but these cases are the exception rather 

 than the rule, and occur where practically the entire business of the 

 farm is caring for sheep. One of the largest breeders in New Hamp- 

 shire keeps on an average from 225 to 250 breeding ewes, keeping 

 them both summer and winter in three separate flocks. Where close 



1 In tli is discussion the term " small flock " Includes numbers up to 40 or 50 bead. 



