The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-01-16
agricultural,
Rearing Lambs.

The rearing of lambs. both for the renewal
and increase of the flock, and for tho use of
the butcher, is a matter which deserves more
care and attention than is usually bestowed
upon il by our farmers. lfthe bucks or ewes
are not in good condition at the time they
are brought together, or If the latter, during
the period of CESSATION become reduced and
weak the chances are that the progeny will
fail altogether, or ut least lack the yigor nec-
essary to carry them successfully through
the first winter. We do not mean by "good
condition." that the sheep should be fat, for
that extreme should be equally as much
avoided as the other; but they should be Wig
orous and healthy, and in first rate store or
der. a healthy buck should not be required
to serve over fifty or sixty ewes, as such u
number is a sufficient tax upon his powers !;
more than this is liable not only to perman-
emily injure the male, but also to produce n
feeble progeny.
The period of CESSATION in ewes is twenty.
one weeks; so that, where it s desirable, the
birth of the lambs should occur early in May,
the bucks should be turned into the focks
about the first Of December. This period
may be varied little either way, according
to locality and climate. As young ewes are
more apt to bo careless and iuprovident
mothers, neglecting, and sometimes disown-
ing their lambs, moro attention is required
for them than for older sheep. Many of the
English shepherds separate the former in the
fall, and servo them week or two later, in
order that the season shall become further
advanced, and the lambs less exposed to
chill and adverse temperature. The ewes
with lambs should be kept quiet and not sub.
jected to fright or excitement, well fed, and
comfortably sheltered. The successful rear
ing Of fine young flock will amply repay
the farmer oil his care,
Where twins are produced by somo OF the
sheep, while Mt the same time Others have lost
their lambs, it is good plan to take one of
the twins from the former and give II TO the
latter. Some difficulty is occasionally ex-
perienced to get the lamb adopted, but II Is
usually overcome by shutting it and the new
mother together fora few days, and in ex-
treme cases, binding the skin Of tho dead
lamb upon the back Of its successor. Bucks.
by carelessness and inadvertence, occasionally
get mingled with the flock unseasonaby, and
occasion much trouble and sometimes loss
We once knew flock Of ewes that got with
lamb in September; and, as consequence,
they gave birth to their progeny in Februa-
~. He kept them sheltered and well fed.
making roots and other succulent materials
a portion Of their food, turning all his barns
and out.buildings into sheep hospitals, and
devoted much time and attention to the help
less lambs brought forth in the midst of
rigorous winter. II thus turned out that
scarcely lamb was lost, and at the subse-
qucnt washing and shcaring, that flock OF
lambs was the admiration of all who saw
them. One of the ewes, after her lamb was
born, failed to give it suck, although the nd.
der was distcnded, and apparently full of
milk. On an examination, however, and at
tempt to milk the dam by hand, thick fluid
exuded, nearly the consistence and appear
ance Of candied honey. which tho lamb swal-
lowed with avidity, although its own strength,
was insufficient to draw il from the teat. The
lamb thrived upon II, however, swallowing
rs it was pressed out by the hand, until, in a
couple of days, the milk assumed its natural
flow, and needed no further special attention.
This instance is cited, not Tor the purpose Of
urging the month of February as one propi-
tious to the birth of lambs, but only to show
that even an untoward event, II properly
managed, may be turned to profitable nc.
count