The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1911-06-22
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CARE OF PREGNANT EVE.
AtmosphericaI as Well az Physical
Condition Of Animal Itself Regu-
Iates Quality Of Feed.

Whether or not grain feeding Is nee
essary or advisable depends entirely
upon the character and variety OF the
roughness on hand, the weather ana
the kind and condition of the pastures.
If the weather is dry and there Is OPP
portunity for grazing on blue grass
pasture the supplying Of such rougn-
ness as corn stover and clover or alfal-
ia or pea hay Will be sufficient to nour-
ish the growing fetus and to supply
the material for supporting the eve In
a strong and thrifty condition. In the
central northern states it is usually
best to supply a small feed OF grain
daily, especially during the latter part
of the pregnant season. One-halr
pound of grain day with good rough
age can be depended upon to be more
than sufficient to have the average
sized eve in an improving condition
as weaving time approaches.
The sheep is a ruminant, and Its d.
gestive apparatus is so constructed -
to adapt II. to the use Of comparatively
large quantities Of coarse foods. For
this reason sheep under most condl-
tons can be maintained quite easily
on clover hay and corn slower alone.
In addition to plenty of bulk we should
give attention to the uses to which the
food is put. TO meet the demands or
the eve for maintenance and growth
Ct the fetus the ration needs to con
tain plenty of protein for muscle de-
velopment and ash for bone develop
ment Most of the demand, however,
is for heat and energy or fat produc-
ing feeds, though this will cause the
feeder no concern, for the farm supply
of these feeds is overabundant. An
other point-sheep are very fond OF
! variety and always do best when sew
erai kinds Of hays and folders are
available.
The matter Of succulence, too, should
not be overlooked. By supplying coru
silage or roots in the ration we dupli-
cate the beneficial effects of pasture
grass In the summer months. Succu-
Ience makes the ration more laxative
and seems to add tone to the general
system. Bran and oats are superior as
grain feeds, though small proportion
of corn may be used If fed in cOnnec-
ton with bran and clover hay. A won-
derfully fine ration for pregnant ewes
is three pounds Of clover hay. two
pounds of corn silage and from bne-
quarter to one-half a pound Of oats to
each eve daily. This ration-one-fourth
pound Of oats during early winter in
creased to one-half during the latter
stages of pregnancy-will allow a $50
pound eve to make a gain Of twenty
pounds on the average.
The ability of the lamb to stand up
and nurse when born Is determined
chiefly by the amount of outdoor ex.
ercise which the eve has had during
pregnancy. Observation furnishes
abundant proof in support of this
statement. Except in stormy or wet
weather the ewes should be out in the
pasture most Of the day. A good blue
grass pasture will be an incentive for
sufficient exercise in the open, besides
nOurishment.
Sheep do not demand especially
warm quarters. They must, however
be dry under foot and have protection
from the wind, sleet and snow in win
ter. Ample ventilation is absolutely
necessary to good health, though cold
drafts ale injurious and constant
source of colds. There should be plen
ty of room, say twelve square feet OF
floor space for each member Of the
flock. Bedding should be literally sup
piled. for cleanliness and dryness are
Impossible without 1t. Dirty quarters
are always damp, insanitary and dis
ease breeding in their effects upon the
ewes. Any condition which affects the
general health and vigor of the eve
is sure to have more acute effect
upon the young lamb in embryo