. Productive sheep husbandry . Sheep. HARVESTED FEEDS 237 of considerable sustaining and fattening power, but it furnishes some succulence, and grazing gives ewes the exercise they need. Harvested Feeds.—Ordinarily it is best to begin feeding preg- nant ewes grain or hay or both not later than Januajy first, and often it is advisable to begin a month earlier than this. In fact, it is impossible to set a definite time for beginning to use harvested feeds, and the owner must be guided solely by the supply of feed in the fields and the condition of his flock. Unless the ewes are in thin flesh the
. Productive sheep husbandry . Sheep. HARVESTED FEEDS 237 of considerable sustaining and fattening power, but it furnishes some succulence, and grazing gives ewes the exercise they need. Harvested Feeds.—Ordinarily it is best to begin feeding preg- nant ewes grain or hay or both not later than Januajy first, and often it is advisable to begin a month earlier than this. In fact, it is impossible to set a definite time for beginning to use harvested feeds, and the owner must be guided solely by the supply of feed in the fields and the condition of his flock. Unless the ewes are in thin flesh the amount of grain fed should not be more than five-tenths to seven-tenths pound per head per day to individuals weighing. Fig. 163.—Ewes in proper condition for lambing. These ewes are in rather high condition with respect to fiesh and fat and being so will have enough milk for their lambs. 140 to 175 pounds. Whole oats are always considered good feed for sheep, but other grains and concentrated feed products can be used. Corn alone is not considered by many of the best shepherds as a good grain feed for breeding sheep because they think that it is too heating. The writer, however, believes corn has been too harshly criticised by many shepherds, for it is a good feed when used with discretion. If it is mixed with oats or with several concentrates palatable to sheep, it can form a useful part of the ration. Breeding sheep will do fairly well on a moderate amount of grain composed entirely of corn, provided good leguminous hay is fed. Economy and eflSciency are what the owner must think of when compounding rations. Such feeds as linseed oil meal and bran are usually costly and hence, when placed in the ration, add to the cost of maintaining the flock. If the flock can be kept in good condition. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not per
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectsheep, bookyear1918
