Meade County news., 1917-05-24
WINTER CARE
OF The FLOCK
Most Desirable Kind of Feed
-~s. and Shelter
As Explained by A. M. Paterson, Kan.
sas Agricultural College,
Manhattan, Kan.

After the ewes have been bred, the
humber Of lambs and the amount Of
wool that is produced will depend on
the care Of the flock during the win
ter months. Rams should be taken
away from the ewes as soon as the
ewes are all safe in lamb.
Care of the Ewes: The ewes should
be allowed to run on pasture until
late in the fall AS soon as pasture
becomes dry and scarce, some other
feed should be added to the ration,
such as alfalfa hay, silage, corn fod-
der, or straw. The sheep should be
provided with dry, well-ventilated
quarters, and care should be taken not
to confine them too closely, nor have
their quarters too warm. A great mis-
take is often made in confining them
too closely. They should be turned
out where they can get plenty Of exer-
corn fodder or other feed is scattered,
would make an excellent place in
which to give them exercise. II this
rough feed could be put out half a
mile or even a mile from the barns.
making the sheep walk out and back
each day, it would be desirable. The
feed boxes, doors, etc., should be ar
ranged and constructed in such a way
that crowding would be avoided be-
cause crowding may cause some of
the ewes to lose their lambs.
Feed for Ewes in Winter: After
the ewes are taken in for the winter
they should be given plenty of feed to
keep them in good thrifty condition.
1t is good practice to go over the
flock from time to time to determine
the condition of the ewes. The thin
ewes should be separated from the
rest Of the flock and given little
extra feed in order that the flock will
be uniform in condition. Care should
be taken not to get the ewes too fat.
This is equally as bad as having them
too thin
The kind and amount of feed to give
the breeding flock will depend on the
kinds OF feed on hand. Where alfalfa
is plentiful the ration may consist
chiefly Of this feed However, the ad-
dition of a small amount Of sllage is
preferred. In feeding silage to sheep
care should be taken not to oVerfeed.
Two to three pounds daily is plenty.
Never feed silage that Is mouldy or
frozen.
Where the ewes are in good condi-
tion a ration consisting Of alfalfa, sill
age and some other roughness is suf-
ficient However, il the ewes are
thin, little grain should be added,
from one-half to one pound daily
should be sufficient. Plenty Of clean,
fresh water, and salt, should be before
the sheep at all times.
Care of Rams in Winter: The ram
should be provided with dry, light and
we'll ventilated quarters with ample
room in which to exercise. Care
should be taken not to get him too fat.
cheaply as possible during the winter
months, always keeping in mind the
thrift and health of the animal.
Where good alfalfa and clover hay are
fed, no grain will be needed unless it
be for the thin and young rams.
These should have a small grain ra-
ton daily Of about one-half pound
Two pounds of silage daily is suffi-
cient to keep the animal in healthy
condition, but some rough feed such
as fodder, straw, etc, should be added
to the ration. Where the former feeds
are fed as roughness, without silage,
a little grain should be added.