Milford chronicle., 1923-02-23
LAMB PROFITS INFLUENCED BY
CARE OF THE FLOCK DURING
LANDING

The lambing season is a busy time
for the shepherd as the percentage of
lambs saved affects the profitableness
of the flock. Extra work at this per-
iod will be well repaid as a little care
given at the right time will result in
the saving of many lambs and even of
some of the ewes that would otherwise
be lost and will often thus greatly m
crease the amount of profit from the
flock, according to specialists of the
United States Department of Agricul-
ture.
Ewes which have been we'll cared
for and which arrive at this season in
good condition will give very little
trouble during lambing. 1t should be
remembered that only a small amount
of grain, approximately IA to 1-2
pound per head per day, should be fed
to the ewes just before lambing as
heavy grain feeding at this time will
often cause udder trouble. Even in
fOcks which have received the best of
cage, it is usually necessary to help
some of the ewes deliver their lambs.
When assistance is needed the hands
should be thoroughly cleansed and
rubbed with oil to prevent infection
and irritation to the eve.
Just before or Immediately after
she has lambed each eve should be
placed in small individual pen. The
use of these pens prevents the other
sheep from injuring the lambs and
gives the eve a much better. chance
to mother her lamb.
AS soon as the lamb is delivered
the shepherd should cleanse the
phlegm from the lambs mouth and
nostrils. Some lambs when dropped,
while apparently normal in every
way, will fail to start breathing but
often times their breathing may be
started by blowing into their mouth |
and nostrils.
The first few hours of the lambs life |
is the most critical period through |
which. it passes. In cold weather care
is required to prevent the new born
lamb fro mchilling. In case a lamb be-
comes slightly chilled it may usually
be revived by wrapping in dry clothes
or by being placed near a warm fire
for short time. If badly chilled, how
ever, it may be necessary to immerse
The lamb for two OF three minutes in
water which is as hot as the hand can
bear after which it should be wiped
rs dry as possible, wrapped in dry
clothes and placed in a warm room for
4 short time.
Lambs which are unable to stand
md suckle and those which have been
chilled should be helped to secure a
i'll of milk as soon as possible. After
hey have sucked two or three times
md become thoroughly dry and warm
hey will stand considerable hardship.
If individual pens are used for the
we and lamb and the ewes are in
sOod condition so that they have sufi-
'ient milk for their offspring very few
# the lambs will be disowned. Young
yves with their first lamb and those
n poor condition give the most trou-
lie in disowning their lambs. In case
eve refuses to own her lamb it often
elps to draw some of the milk and
ub it upon her nose and over the
amb. If she has lost her lamb she
nay be induced to adopt some disown-
d one or twin lamb by taking the
kin from her own lamb and fastening
over the one to be adopted.
tHO o"SS SAOu4u Oe given all Cne
Tater they want Immediately after =
lmbing and care should be taken to
ut down on their feed, particularly
rain, for the first few days. After the
'urth day the eve may be fed an
mount of grain equal to that which
ne was receiving before lambing, and
ter on it is usually advisable to feed
1nsiderable grain, one or two pounds
er head per day, to ewes which are
liking heavily, and which are on dry q
ed.