Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-02-08
Winter Management Of Sheep.

Al this season too many farmers neg.
sect their sheep, often allowing them to
remain unprotected in the open field
through heavy storms of rain. snow and
sleet, until their feeces become COM.
pletely saturated with water, chilling
mem to the very bone. AS a conse.
quence, many Of them present a gaunt,
hungry appearance, aided often by be.
ing obliged to feed upon heritage from
winch the most nutritious portions have
Deen extracted by the action of frost.
Renee, they too often go into winter
quarters in feeble health, and weighing
from I'VE to twenty pounds less than
they should, o. less even than they did
on the first of October. To regain their
pump appearance an extra amount Of
1000 IS absolutely necessary.
NO matter how closely you may have
dlv;ded 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
oAAouii nave ~ lCcu OIL grain ulCll LuG
desired condition is restored.
If you have good, clean, wholesome
hay. and feed them all they will cat
three tunes a day, grain will not be re.
CURED to keep them in the best Of
health. But when it is desired to in.
crease their growth, or fit them for the
butchers grain must be given in conneo
ton with coarse fodder.
AS to the grain best adapted to them
corn heads the list. But even this
should be given Understandings. II
fed in too large quantities, especially at
the beginning, it will cause the animal
to be feverish, so that the wool will of.
ten come off by the handful. Sheen
less than five years old eat the corr un.
ground, while feeble or older ones
should be fed meal. An occasional
change from corn to oats or barley will
be found profitable, aud once a week a
feed of beets, turnips, potatoes, or even
apples will prove very advantageous,
and you will be %agreeably surprised at
the avidity with which they eat such
food. If such a change can not be made.
then m occasional feed of clover OF
cornstalks will prove beneficial.
Regularity in feeding should also be
practiscd, the last meal for the day be.
ing given in time to allow them to eat
their fill before dark. The feed-raeks
should be so arranged that they may be
filled without getting seed or dirt upon
the sheep. When grain is fed, place it
in the trough before the sheep are ad.
mitted, so as to allow each one to obtain
its allotted supply without crowdine
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 nor 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 q vast amount of coarse
fodder, but liberality in bedding insures
greater health and comfort to the flock
and a cleaner and heavier fleece al
shearing time.
The hay-rack should be thoroughly
cleansed from all refuse and coarse fod.
der at least once a day. Seine farmer:
seem to think sheep do not require wa.
ter during winter, but let them obtain
their supply from a convenient snow.
bank. Many f1ocks have been wintered
in this manner, but it is undeniably a
wrong and cruel practice, unworthy o.
this enlightened age.-L. D.. Shook, IN
N. Y. Examiner.