December 1, 1908 
Sheep for Farmers. 
—a 
By R. H. GENNYS, in the ‘ Agricultural 
Gazette of N.S.W.’ 
Farmers who combine other industries 
such as the growing of cereal crops, with 
sheep breeding should secure a flock that 
will give them the best net return 
annually per sheep. 
Having but very limited areas, as a 
rule, the increase must be got rid of 
quickly, so that early maturity is a very 
important feature, and lamb and teg 
mutton raising is chiefly aimed at; this is 
quite in agreement with the meat export 
trade, which always prefers the early 
maturing carcase. 
Wool is a secondary consideration, but 
must not be overlooked in the mothers of 
lambs, which may be shorn for several 
seasons. 
What the lamb and mutton trade 
requires as well as early maturity is 
quality of meat more than quantity. The 
weights required in lambs being from 
28 lb. to 40 lb. not more, anything 
beyond this is too heavy and would 
probably be termed teg or 
mutton, for real lambs should! be suckers 
weaner 
up to the time of being slaughtered, and 
should be taken from their mothers at 
about four months old in order to give 
the latter time to properly recuperate 
before being mated again. 
Rams to be used.—As the British 
‘preeds point to the earliest maturity they 
should be used principally as the sires of 
the lambs, and of whatever breed should 
always be a pure-bred of the best des_ 
cription and constitution, as he will then 
be likely to impress his qualities on his 
offspring. For lamb and mutton raising 
he should have the mutton points well 
developed, some important ones being:— 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER. 
Good shoulders and broad-withers, deep, 
full chest and brisket, good girth 
measurement, wide back with well- 
sprung ribs with good loins, broad dock 
and deep full twist : with the other male 
attributes that should be possessed by all 
sires—such as masculine heads, wide 
nostrils, good scrags, aud wool of stronger 
type generally than ewes of the same 
breed 
The Ewes should possess a good car- 
case, but effiminate in character, with 
good digestive organs, well-develoved 
hind-quarters and good udders, obvious 
points necessary for producing a good 
supply of milk for the speedy develop- 
nent of the lambs. In all cases the ewes 
should be bred in the ‘district or a 
similar one, so as to thrive well under all 
local conditions, as the way they thrive 
must in a great measure be reflected in 
their offspring. Young ewes should be 
bred from in preference to older sheep, 
but in a well-developed crossbred should 
have two teeth up before being mated. 
In merinos generally it is advisable that 
the four teeth should be up before 
breeding from them. When big-headed 
British rams are used with merino ewes, 
attention must be given at lambing time 
to assist any ewes requiring aid, and in 
any case it pays to be very watchful: of 
the flocks at this season, for the per- 
centage of lambs may be increased con- 
siderably thereby. 
Mating.—It is generally admitted that 
ewes in rapidly increasing condition but 
uot too fat, are likely to be most prolific. 
Under average conditions a ram s ould 
be mated with not more than sixty ewes ; 
he should be in strong condition, but not 
too fat. If he should be very fat and 
lazy—when convenient, yard the sheep 
at night for a week or so. 
~ Lambing.—-The ewes should be in good 
23 
They should 
be on good pasture from the time of 
lambing until lambs are weaned or sold, 
The lambs must be well supplied with 
milk all the time or early maturity can- 
not result. : 
Lamb-marking, &c.—Lambs should be: 
ear-marked, detailed, 
condition, but not too fat. 
and castrated at 
from 10 to 20 days old. as they recover 
much quicker from operations than when 
older, The latest method is to sear off 
the tails with a red hot iron instead of 
cutting them off with a knife. The 
former method saves much loss of blood, 
and consequently little or no check is 
received from the operation. Lambs do 
not appear to sulk after searing as they 
do after cutting off the tails; the cut 
dries and heals quickly and is less likely 
(being drier) to be attacked by flies, If 
a disinfectant is used, such as Stockholm 
tar or a sheep dip, do not put it on the- 
seared part, but smear it on the wool 
adjacent thereto. One of the objects of 
searing it is to dry up the wound; that 
of tar, &e., to keep flies away by the 
smell near it. When searing make the 
iron very hot, but do not press too 
heavily. A moderate time in taking the 
tail off makes the operation more com- 
plete. The principal advantage in 
searing is claimed to be that it checks 
loss of blood and consequently prevents 
any check in development, which is such 
an important point. Castrate lambs with 
care at an early age. Avoid frosty or 
very hot weather if possible. Be care- 
ful to use a clean knife. Do not use a 
knife for other purposes. before 
A clean wound 
Use 
Stockholm tar or other disinfectant on 
thoroughly cleansing it. 
in the scrotum heals quickly. 
the cut. If any dirt is introduced on the 
‘blade suppuration may supervene, delay 
healing, and may check growth. 
