The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-10-02
Preparing Sheep for Winter.

Every flock master should be sure OF
the condition of his sheep ct the COM
Increment of cold weather. Ii is in
excussble neglect to allow breeding
sheep to be thin at the beginning of
winte-. When sheep are thin as the
cold season begins, they are likely to
hard struggle to improve the condi-
ton - thin sheep in winter, as they
have " eat more food to keep warm
than il slcy were in good condition.
If farmers think they are saving food
by keeping thin locks so sparely that
the war.u season does not put them in
good coalition, then they greatly de-
ceive themselves. Much less extra
food, III H'arm weather, will put sheep
in good condition than will be required
ID keep the thin sheep warm in winter.
SO it is a great economy to furnish the
extra foo;i in warm weather rather than
to be compelled to furnish more or
lose his si,eep in cold weather. Sheep
always MIKE the most of pasture, and
no animal makes much that comes after
them.
And, if sheep are thin, it is quite
evident that extra food is needed, and
this should be given at once. 1t is
safer to feed some cooling and
strengthening, rather than fattening
food Wheat bran, fed in trOughs. is q
safe and good food, and to the thinneSt
sheep z little Shelled corn NAV be
mixed with the bran. But corn must
be avoided in warm weather for sheep
that are lleshy; and yet for those very
thin the corn will be safe, and assist in
putting them rapidly in condition
This small amount Of extra food fed
to sheep in the fall to put them in such
condition as ali breeding sheep should
be in to 90 SAFELY through the winter,
should not be regretted rs 4 loss, be-
cause rs the sheep make the most ont
of the pasture, its deficiency must be
u1Gde up in order to give the pasture
is greatest value. 1t sometimes hap
rers that only :: small part of the flock
remain thin. thu pasture having been
sufficient for the best feeders; in which
case, the thin sheep should be separated
from the rest and fed this extra food
where they will not be molested. This
reduces the amount of extra food re-
quired, and produces also Il better re-
suit. III
Taose hocks chat are intended to be
fattened for the spring sale, or to be
turned at the best opportunity, should
now have careful attention. The warm
we5ther is the time to push them. The
better their condition becomes in mod
crate fall weather, the less food will be
rp,,TIira1 IN the cold season
Eut care mus, lie taken not to over
feed those that are fat in the warm sea-
son. and in such cases no corn should
be given, but their condition simply
kept mp by Il little bran, even that
given in great moderation, as any push
.l;g of such is likely to develop fe1riIe
diseases. which are very dangerous.
Those that are becoming quite fat
<hOuld be put upon spare diet with
plenty of good water, or they should
ne sold if the market will warrant.
his ease of getting dangerously fas in
the fall seldom occurs, but the opposite
;too thin) is very apt to occUr, and
.heSe are the cases that require wise
pushing. But all feeding requires the
sxpert eye of the feeder to determine
the proper limits of the ration, for it
had better be little under than over
the normal capacity of the animal.
The season is favorable for the best
;;rogress, but great care should always
De taken not t. over-tax the digestive
power OF the stomach The feeding
ought to begin with bran rs light
sood, aud gradually add little corn.
We should always advise linseed-oil
meal to be kept on hand, and about one
bound per week fed to each sheep.
This will pay back all it costs, and will
id much in promoting the heslth OF
he fattening flock = Nd,ioaz: Lire
Stock Journal