Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-06-03
Feeding Sheep--Rearing Lambs

Mr. EDITOR In the May number of the
monthly Farmer there was communication
from Scion IT, Berry, of Vermont, on the feed
ing of sheep, which concludes as follows;
g 1t is generally understood in this part of
Vermont that breeding sheep will do better
not to be in very high fesh or as the saying
is fat as a hog As this is an important
question, would like to hear the experience of
some of our Vermonters upon il"
Although am not one OF " our Vermont
ers," still feel some interest in the subject,
and will venture to give my opinion.
That sheep will do better, bring more healthy
and stronger lambs in a stinted, half-starved
condition. or even with decent fare, than with
high teed is contrary to my experience, and it
seems to me to be reason and common sense.
In all my experience, in keeping sheep and
raising lambs. extending through Il period of
nearly twenty years, and being in the habit Of
feeding higher, probably, than most people,
generally giving them corn for some weeks pre-
vious to Landing, never lost lamb when
was led to think it was in consequence Of my
sheep having been in too high flesh.
l am willing to allow that my sheep under
the above described treatment, were not general
ly " fat as a hog and | think it is no very
easy matter while they raise one OF two lambs
each year, to keep them 50 still, [ have en-
deavored to come up as near to that ponta as the
nature of the case and Il proper respect for my
corn-bn. would allow. believe that sheep
kept in high flesh, with II full flow of milk,
are much less likely to disown their lambs.
have, at the present time, twenty ewes and
thirty-one lambs There are nine pairs one
triplet and ten single. have lost none |
do not say that have ever done any better than
this but do say that in several instances, SO far
as loss is concerned have made out as aoeH.
apprehend that the real cause Of the poor
success of many in raising lambs, lies, not so
much in the fact of their sheep having been
kept in good condition through the winter, as
from some cause OF CAUSES a little farther back
1t requires but slight acquaintance with the
subject to convince one that there is vast
deal of difference in breeds Of sheep some
kinds being naturally much more inclined to
bring weak and sickly lambs than others. Then,
again, many Aocks of sheep, that iormly did
well and brought good lambs have probably
degenerated in consequence Of sufficient atten-
ton not having been given to crossing, point
of vital Importance to success in raising good
lambs.
have practiccd for number Of years mess
ing my lambs have II small enclosure adjoin-
ing the sheep pen, with an opening large
enough to let them through and keep out the
sheep. They will generally begin to eat by the
time they are two weeks old. For the past
five or six weeks my lambs have taken from
twelve to sixteen quarts of meal per day. |
am not very particular as respects the kind Of
meal, though rather prefer equal parts Of
corn and oil and meal. | have twin lambs
at the present time, not far from two months
old, that will weigh nearly sixty pounds
If in addition to the meal they have plenty o
good hay in crib by themselves, they will RI
quire but little else. They will not be contin
ually worrying the sheep 50 that not only thu
lambs, but the sheep, will be in much bette
condition on turning to grass than they other
wise would. have never discovered any IN
furious effect from giving my lambs 50 mlcl
meal, although always let them cat all the
will 5. d. {.
Sunderland, May, 10Th, 1857.