The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-08-25
Weaning Lambs.

ieiAAo-, tic HuifiDtI Dcui- SctphldrA 10
the quality of it. Twin lambs are not
always desirable; one large, strong. single
l~nb being better than two weak. puny
ones, whose weakness fingers along
through short and improbable life.
The nursing and rearing Of the lambs up
TO weaning age having been safely
passed through, il is well to consider how
the last period of the lamb state can best
be got over. In most fiocks the lambs
wean themselves by the graduaI loss of
milk by the ewes, and the weaning comes
about gradually and natuarly at the sea-
son when the ewes are again ripe for
coupling. This is no doubt the best and
most satisfactory manner Of accomplish
ing this object, when the ewes can be
provided with full supply of food OF an
abundant pasture. But otherwise il is
better to separate the lambs in the pres
ent month 80 as to give the ewes some
time to get into good condition fer breed
ing again. A eve in poor condition is
very apt TO miss service, OF 10 produce
weak lamb, which suceumbs to the rigors
of the season in its first few days of life,
or eve that is emaeiated in the Fall
will not get flesh enough in the Winter
to put her in good order for milking, and
80 the next lamb will not only be weak,
but will be starved. IL is an instinct of a
eve to put her lamb out Of the way as
soon as possible when she has no milk,
and il is equally instructive for her to
cherish her lamb when the full supply Of
milk gives her uneasiness. The obseryant
shepherd will soon see how the eve
which has no milk will abandon her
lamb and drive it from the dry udder and
useless teats, while another, with dis
tended udder and flowing teates, will use
all her art to coax the lamb TO suck, and
push it 10 the seat with gentle persuasive
force This is in true accordance with
the law of nature, and should be well
understood by the shepherd 50 that he
can manage his flock accordingly and
pravide the ewes with food as their needs
may make necessary. And one part Of
this management is to separate the ewes
from the lambs in good time for the form
er to recuperate and get into good eondi-
lambs should then be fed Well A good
pasture should be provided, and in addi-
ton little grain food will be useful
whenever it can be afforded. When
tiocks are ON a range this can scarcely be
done, but farm flocks should certainly be
on this principle.
When the production of mutton is the
main object in view the weaving of the
lambs becomes business of more than
usual importance, because the male lambs
are sent to market, leaving the ewes in
full milk to be managed with great care
to prevent garget and trouble with the
udder. A eve which had plenty of milk
and whose lamb had been lost by acci-
dent and which had been lost sight of for
q few days was found with badly caked
and festered udder, which the flies had
blown, and the whole hinder part Of the
poor beast WAS covered with myriads Of
the maggots, which had eaten the flesh
to the bone in several places. OF course
the eve, which was one Of the best
of the flock, was sacrificed. This
will happen too frequently if care is not
taken 10 provide against it. Again, when
it is desired to wean the lambs for the
purpose Of fattening the ewes for market
special management is needed Theew
should be kept well fed, and at least
pint Of grain or meal should be given
daily. These ewes are drafted off from
the flock and penned separately. The
lambs are turned off by themselves by
day and put with the ewes only at night.
This will gradually dry off the ewes and
reduce the milk until il is safe to separate
the lambs wholly from them. After this
il will be necessary TO milk some of the
ewes, and take part Of the milk every
night until the udder is dried off Some
times the milking of the ewes is not un-
ierstood. The right way is to milk from
behind and use the finger and thumb.
The milk need not be saved unless il can
be used, but ewes milk is a delicacy, and
can be turned to good use in the kitchen
Tor making eustards or for drinking.
When a eve will not stand small frame
should be provided in which she is fast
ened by strap around the neck; the
frame has two side-bars which keep her
from turning around 1t IL coEye yenient
% have this portable, and TO have a sup
ply of them for eonfining refractory ewes
which refuse TO nurse their lambs, and
hus turn them to both purposes.