The Brookhaven leader., 1884-01-24
Winter Management Of sheep.

At this season too many farmers neg
lect their sheep, often allowing them to
remain unprotected in the open field
through heavy storms of rain, snow and
sleet, until their fleeces become COM
pletely saturated with water, chilling
them to the very bone. As a conse-
quence, many of them present gaunt,
hungry appearance, aided often by be-
ing obliged to feed upon heritage from
which the most nutritious portions have
been extracted by the action of frost.
Hence, they too often go into winter
quarters in feeble health, and weighing
from five to twenty pounds less than
they should, or less even than they did
on the first of October. To regain their
plump appearance an extra amount OF
food is absolutely necessary.
No matter how closely you may have
divided the flock at shearing time, it is
seldom that they all go into winter
| quarters in the same health and condi-
ton, so that they may be placed in the
same pen, and during the winter given
the same general attention. Hence,
nearly always a division is not only de-
| sirable but necessary. The weaker ones
|
| desired condition is restored.
| II YOU have good, clean. wholesome
hay, and feed them all they will eat
three times day, grain will not be re-
quired to keep them in the best OF
| health. But when it is desired to- n
crease their growth. or fit them forsihe
butcher, grain must be given in conncc-
ton with coarse fodder.
As to the grain best adapted to them,
corn heads the list But even this
should be given Understandings. If
fed in too large quantities, especially at
the beginning, it will cause the animal
to be feverish, so that the wool W il Of
| ten come off by the handful. Sheep
| less than five years old eat the corn un-
| ground, while feeble or older ones
| should be fed meal. An occasional
| change from corn to oats or barley will
be found profitable, and once a week n
feed of beats, turnips, potatoes, or even
apples will prove very advantageous,
and you will be agrceably surprised at
the avidity with which they eat such
food. If such change can not be made,
then an occasional feed of clover or
cornstalks VIII prove beneficial.
Regularity in feeding should also be
practised, the last meal for the day be-
| ing given in time to allow them to eat
their fill before dark. The feed-ra ks
should be so arranged that they may be
filed without getting seed or dirt upon
the sheep. When grain is fed, place it
in the trough before the sheep are adj
mitted, so as to allow each one to obtain
its allotted supply without crowding
and pushing.
Last spring lambs should not be
placed with older sheep, but given ex-
ira care, as much will depend upon
their winter management. They are
not yet fully developed, and need
something more than hay to keep up
the animal heat and waste of the sys-
| tenn.
Bedding is another important item.
1t should be given to them literally and
often. They not only reduce and tram
pie under foot vast amount of coarse
fodder, but lberality in bedding insures
greater health and comfort to the flock
and a cleaner and heavier fleece at
shearing time.
The hav-rack should be thoroughly
cleanscd from all refuse and coarse fod-
der at least once day. Some farmers
seem to think sheep do not require wa
ter during winter, but let them obtain
their supply from a convenient snow
bank. Many tlocks have been wintered
in this manner, but it is undeniably a
wrong and cruel practice, unworthy of
this enlightened age.-L. d. Shook, in
n. Y. Examiner.