14 BULLETIN 578, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
iron average about a pound more in weight a week after docking than 
lambs which have been docked by the ordinary method and have 
lost considerable blood. Castrating is done by cutting off the lower 
third of the scrotum and pulling out the testicles, cords and all. 
~ 
WEANING. 
In the pure-bred flocks, or where it is desired to keep the ewe lambs 
for breeding purposes or for the fall and winter markets, weaning 
takes place when the lambs are 4 to 5 months old. By separating 
the lambs from the band and allowing them the run of good pasture, 
they do as well as if allowed to run with the ewes all summer. In 
some instances they do better. Moreover, if the ewes are allowed a 
summer’s rest, they will breed earlier and produce a higher percent- 
age of lambs. 
A common method of weaning lambs on irrigated pasture is. to 
leave the lambs in the same field but to remove the ewes to poor feed 
out of sight and hearing of the lambs. At the same time the ram 
lambs should be separated from the ewe lambs. A few flockmasters 
wean the lambs gradually, allowing them to be with the ewes for 
short periods twice each day. This method has some advantages, 
the chief of which is that the milk of the ewes dries up gradually. 
However, the practice can be continued too long, two or three days 
probably being the best time. Whatever method of weaning is pur- 
sued, it is necessary to watch the ewes carefully and to draw the 
milk from the udder in case of congestion. 
P758RP 
Fic. 3.—Sheep grazing on a canal bank on the Minidoka Reclamation Project in August, 1916, Used in 
this way, sheep are helpful in eradicating weed growth, and at the same time they produce mutton and 
Wool at small cost. 
