Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1907-06-20
CARE OF EWES

ewes to lamb during the late winter
and early spring months, while the
weather remains more or less variable,
tempered by warm days and cool
nights, must afford adequate accOnlm0-
dations to provide comfort and pro
lection to the flock, and, in so far as
possible, guard against deleterious in
fluences that would ultimately prevent
the full development of his plan of
management. The later winter
months as a rule do not afford the
most favorable conditions for a sue
cessful lambing season, the weather
being unreliable, and when accom-
panied by an open period during the
fore part of the season, similar to tie
last winter, there is increased I'M
certainty. The flock master, how
ever, who breeds his ewes to lamb dur
ing this time shoulders a double re-
IspOnsibility which demands more at
tentiye care and consideration to de-
tails concerned in the management of
a flock of breeding ewes, says the
climatic conditions are unfavOrabie for
handling early lambs during the
months previously planned upon, Ike
task is before the flock owner to
amend conditions by artificial means
and supply those essentially import
ant.
The great secret Of successful man
agement of early lambs lies in the
+ right kind Of conditions at the proper
time Unreasonable loss is suffered
annually by flock owners who attempt
to handle early lambs without exer-
cising proper fOTethOught to have in
readiness accommodations to afford
: the right kind of conditions when
necessary. The man who has not
the facilities at hand for handling
early lambs should never attempt the
work, for in the majority of instances
the loss will be in excess of the to-
, tai gain. The first step necessary to
succeed with early lambs is a we'll
! constructed and arranged sheep barn
1t must be spacious, light and we'll
ventilated. Before being occupied by
! the flock it should be we'll cleaned
and relittered with bright, clean, dry
straw There is little to be accom-
pIished in handling early lambs with,
out proper facilities to care for each
eve as soon as she lambs. AS ;rIy
as possible after a eve shows evi
dence of giving birth to her progeny
she should be separated from L1e
flock and put into a small pen by her
self
| 1t will be found advantageous in
managing early lambs to have in read
mess a number of panels made OF
light material for constructing pens
at least four feet wide and five feet
long. These panels may be made
portable out of light pine or Eastwood
, of sufficient height and durability tC
afford partitions for separating the
ewes fer few days during the most
critical period. 1t will be found very
! convenient to construct a folding
! manager to each front panel compris
j ing the pen, so that roughage may be
supplied regularly The care of thG
: ewes prior TO parturition has a de
cided influence on their conduct dur
ing the Landing period Ewes thai
+ have been carelesSly handled and are
wild and restless will cause consider
able additional trouble and care
throughout the period Of conftne
ment. If the flock is OF an irritable
/ disposition they should be limited tc
and carefully handled, so that they
may become better acquainted with
the person having them in charge.
The succulent portion of the ration
should be gradually reduced as partu
rition approaches, SO that the III Il
! flow will not become too greatly in
excess of the amount required al
| first by the offspring. l find it a great
| advantage to deprive my ewes of al
the succulent matter in the ration fol
at least a week prior to lambing In
this way the milk flow is held in
check and less trouble with the uddel
results. The grain ration should also
be reduced and the system be al
! lowed to cool down to as near a nor
NAL temperature as possible. If any
grain is supplied it should be mostly
oats and bran, with small addition
! of oilmeal
| As soon as a eve shows signs OF
uneaSinesS and inclination TO stray
off by herself she should be got into q
small pen as carefully as possible
Do not attempt rough handling In
managing ewes about to lamb, as
have known of numerous instances
where such proved fatal. If the eve
possesses an irritable disposition and
is somewhat obstinate treat her kind
" and without exciting her or heat
ing her system. After the eve is in
(, her pen leave her alone for a time
that she may acquaint herself with
conditions before the critical period
arrives. 1t is thought best while a
eve is yeaning according to the usual