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Lea diagrammea suivanta illustrent la mithode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 MKHOCOPV RBOIUTION TBT CHART (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2) ^ rJPPLIED IIVHGE 1653 East Main Street Rocheiter. Ne» York 14609 us* (716) 482 - 0300 - Phone (7t«) 2M-5M9-FOK DOMINION DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. m LIVE STOCK BBANCH. [JOHN BRIGHT. CommiMiontr. H. 8. ARKELL, Atst. Commitsionar. SHEEP AND GOAT DIVISION. THE MANAGEMENT OF SMALL FLOCKS SERIES. i ■;■■ i r- PAMPHIET No. 5. April 101!,. CARE OF THE EWE AND LAMB. BY T. REG. ARKELL. s » Lnnibiiig time is by no means a fi.\etl period. It depends largely upon the pur- I pose for which the shepherd is raising his slicop. The breeder of pure-bred sheti» who 8ells his ram lambs as flock-headers in the fall requires them dropped fairly early, at least some time in March or the beginning of April. The average flock holder who raises sheep for mutton purposes only need not have liis lambs come until the siKcecding month unless he is catering to a special market. In fact, if adequate facilities cannot be provided for caring for the lambs during the cold winter weather, I it were better not to have them before April or such time as to permit placing t^ •»!, when two or three weeks old, upon pasture. Where the winters are long and severe, I most shepherds find they can obtain greater growth from lambs dropped during llaroh or even the first of April than in January or February, inasmuch as the early i lambs, being kept on dry feed for a long period, nniy become stunted or dwarfed. However, where a plentiful supply of milk and an abundance of succulent feed are supplied stunting, to a great degree, can be avoided. The practice which, it is to be resrretted, all too many farmers follow, of having their lambs dropped '"any old time" in summer, should be condenmed. Young lambs wi"l not thrive so well during the luit weather and, besides, will not attain sufficient growth to be sold for a reasonably luirh price in the fall. Such farmers comprelKnd the class with whom sheep raising ilocs not pay and who are continuously disparaging the remunerativeness of the industry. The unprofitable feature in this, as in most instaneos of like nature, is frcated entirely by improper management. Every sheep-ra-ser, to attain success, .-lionld endeavour to have his lambs arrive in good season so that he can dispose of i!i' ra upon the early market when the best pric- < prevail. fitOSO— 1 h'\ p CARK OF THE PF?K(;.\AXT KWK. C«ie of lambs should begin before they ar. r„. Thr r.wi-s. diiriiiR the breeding iMUn, iho.ild be placed upon as good pastur. .., can be afforded and. if necessary. ■ome tupplementary soiling fodder be provided. When they are brought into winter V'frtcrs. th • should be changed gradually from pasture conditions to dry rations. and throughout the winter some feed of a succulent nature should always be supplicl them. Koots and silage can be given to excellent purpose in this regard. Neither. however, should be fed extravagantly, for over-feeding is prone to cau^e the produc- tion of flabby, goitcrwl lambs and sometimes abortion. Silage may be given at the mi: t mi Mcinarbli* of all they Hurvey. rate of from two to three pounds per day, and roots, three to four pounds. A pood quality of hay, preferably alfalfa or clover, and some grain should be provided. After the breeding season the ram should no longer be kept with the ewes. He will thrive much better apart, and danger of his butting the ewes, thereby possibly injuring the foetus or unborn lamb, will be prevented. Nairow doorways should be avoided, for ewes, if frightened, are liable to become wedged in the opening with dangerous results to the foetus. Moderate exercise is also absolutely neceisary for the proper main- tenance of the ewe's health. In fact, every care should be taken to promote and suatain the vigor and strength of the ewe, for her energy is imparted to the foetus and its Etrength is directly in proportion to that of its mother. PARTrRITIOX. Xormnl presentation of the lamb in the womb is bend and fore feet first, the head lyiiiff upon the feet. Under normal conditions the ewo can virtually always relicTe kTself of the lumb without assistanco. Should the lamb \h> very larpo, or lying in any position than the natural one. it uuiy be n«w*4ary to nid the ewo. but no attempt should be made unless she is totally unublo to yoau hers.-If and shows evident signs of exhaustion. In aiding parturition great care should be taken to clip the finger nails short so that they will not tear the tender tissue of the vaginal passage or of the womb. It is also a good i)lan to grea.'e the arm witli vaseline. Place the ewe on her side upon the ground, and thrust the arm gently up the vagina. If the prc- sentutioii is normal, grasp the fore legs and pull gently while the ewe strains. Never use undue force. If the Iamb does not lie in the natural position, it must be turned Kwo» and laiulw on the Itunge. as best the operator can, so that it can be drawn forth without injury to the lamb or I rupturmg the passage of the ewe. Experience is the best teacher in this regard, and, after a few trials, any person should become expert. Sometimes the lamb is so large' that It cannot bo removed naturally. It may be necessary, in a ease of this nature j to dismember it so as to save the ewe's life. To prevent poisoning, the womb and the I vaRina should be douched with a 1 per cent carbolic acid solution of warm water Ihis can be administered by means of a syringe. Care should also be taken to see that the after-birth is removed, for, if this remains in the womb, it will putrefy and cm.se toxic poisoning, which may result in the death of the ewe. Should the womb be ejected or "cast" as it is commonly called, it must be replaced, after being I ' "'"=^'"" disinfected and cleansed. If it continues to fall the vagina should be ^e«. (1 up with fine catgut, except for a small opening at the lower part of the orifice J' to permit the excretion of urino. The ewe shoul.l bo Rivon .|H>ri«l attention nn.l p,.^ u.itted to re«t for a few days when the stitehes mny be remove.!. In .ttibborn cnwt It may be necessary to hold the womb in phiee by n pe*««ry until it ha* regained ito normal «izc and position ADOPTION OF Tin: LAMH. The first action of the nutiiri.l dam. aft. i parturition. i» to licl< the Inmb The IrkiuK drie« it and help* to »tart the blo.Kl into rapi.i circulation. Besi.le. the ewe ffftg tlic o.lor of the lamb, by which she subs,.,,ucntly recoKnize. her offspring Inml) an;l< that ,s very rich, as it may can... in.li^^estion. The n.ilk is more palatable when sl,..|„]y sweetened with sugar, and it may b.- necessary to feed with it, at intervals Monw ..«»t.r 0,1. to „rt.v..„t .......ipatio,, which eow'« mik i, „r..nc t., o«..«,. The fi„t fe«l ..f Ku. hunb .ho„|,| b... if ,.,..11,1... ,..l...tru,n or the milk of the fir«t five ,|.,v, after comm..u.-.„K.,.t of tho lH..t.,.io„. whi..h. .,.ntai„i..;r l„xntiv« ..ualiti... will o„u« proper ox..r..tw.M of the f ..r nnnur... Ff thi, n„.„..t b. «o,t..,.. u.o .....tor oil 17;'^ """ ""; ; 'Y'""*- •^'•""-- '^ •"«">• '"-b. .r. to h« ,..i..xl »,>• ;.nn.l. « bucket with ....v..n.! rubbor tube. .„„! nipples attach..,! thereto, ca.. oe u^.\ to H.Ivantn^e. Thi. • rransrenunt will .K.rn.it the f.....ii,iK f .everul l«mb« at one time. KKKI)|.\(i TIIK I.A.MHS. r.nmbs -honl.l l„. tuM^ht t,. ...u ns .o -u ..* pn-sibh. ..fter birth. Kven when . few day. ohl thc.v will ..o,n,.M.n..,. nibbling. an,l when they ..r.. two wek.. of ..go should be I>at «f a palat- ,.l.lo nnd nutriti.iux r.ti..n. .„ ... to k.vp them i<. thriving <•,. |i,i,.„ .„„i ......id <«rIoua '■lieok* in Kn>wtli. DOCK INC. I 111 IhMuK shouM bo done wIumi the lumh. nre abui.t ten di.v- M. The ea>i«it method is tc. pinen the I.unb betw..e„ the orK-rntor'* leffs. its r.ar . in front of him. I* li it-l * I rKickiiiK till- laii.l. -The tuil Kt\i ml. Hi. oiH-rator lifts the tail and with a heavy knife pushe. the skin half way on the un^k'T side of the third vertebra back to its juncture with the secund. Then with . sl.arp cut he severs the tail at this point. Many shepherds leave the tail one vertebra i-y.'T, but a .short tail is greatly to be desired since it cannot col^.t so much manure. \ery sel.loni if the lamb is docked early, will there be sufficie:.c bleeding to cause ^'".v material harm. If profuse bleeding does occur, a cord should be tied very n^ht.y around the stump of the tail. Pincers, heated to a high temperature, >"^'.v also be used for this purpose and by many are preferred. The tail is severed by 8 PI' Bi c osing them upon it. The stump is seared or b..rn«l. which completely prevc.t, bleeding. However, a burn will not heal so quickly as a clean cut, and in the former condition suppuration or the formation of pus underneath the scab may occur Of course, there is greater liability of dangerous infection where the knife, withont cauteruation. is used, since the seared surface tends to prevent the entrance of bacteria. Infection, however, can be avoided by the maintenance of cleanly and sanitary surroundings. The pincers can satisfactorily be adooted for docking lambs aeveral weeks old. when the contingency of bleeding is more likely. ifl! CASTRATION. cutting off with a knife the bottom of the scrotum, sei^ing the end of the testicle: after slitting the covering membrane, with pincers and drawing them and the cords' ;(!: spring lamb in the inakiuj;. gently out. Many shepherds withdraw the testes by means of their teeth To ..,me e^tie than using the fingers, since with the latter, it is difficult to obtain a fir. ZnitT '"T ""'^' ^''"^^^'"^"*>-^'- ^'-- - «-ater likelihood of bruising them, which may result in serious injury to the lamb. The«. are also patent or, a. culators on the market, which usually consist of scissor-like instruments with one t^ZC\ ':' ''" ""' *" ""' '""^ ■"'•°^""' «"^' *•- -'^^ - -eH above the testicles. Since they are purposely made very dull, little bleeding will follow the operation. After castration the wound should be treated with some good antiseptic, as a five per cent solution of carbolic acid or creolin, and covered with a light coating of pine tar to prevent the entrance of maggots. If the operation is properly per- formed, the lamb will soon recover from the shock and in a few days be eating as though nothing had happened. All ram lambs not intended for breeding purposes should be unsexed. Wethers Iwill make greater growth and fatten more readily, and the flesh is of a more delicate Method of (locking liiiiibs «ith piiicern. texture. They will always command a better price on the market. Some stock yards I now levy a fine upon sheep-raisers or dealers who offer rams for sale. Wethers, upon the same markets, are received at a premium. WOOL BALLS IN THE STOMACH. Wool h;\\\ in the stomach is one of the most dreaded diseases to which lambs are heir. Jlany lambs every year are killed from this cause, and the average breeder does not know what is the matter with them. Wool, taken with the feed into the stomach, 10 will collect at the intestinal openings, preventing p-iper passage of tlie digested material and at times completely closing the orifice. In all cases it results in mal- nutrition and ill health which may subsequently lead to death. The disease can be avoided by clipping, from the ewe's flanks and around the udder, all stray locks and tags of wool, so that the lamb cannot mistake a strand of wool for the teat. Also dip the lambs, if they are infested with ticks. The presence of this pest will c„ a„noy the lambs as to cause them to bite themselves, and in so doing they may ol.taiu a mouthful of wool. A purgative, as castor oil, represents the only practicable remedy. NAVEL ILL. There are a few other diseases that may attack lambs, as navel ill, white scours and constipation, but the practice of careful feeding and strict sanitation in the buildings will easly suppress these. Nayel ill can better bo prevented than cured. If IS caused by manure and filth coming in contact with the umbilical cord before it ha« completely dried and withered up. Therefore, preventive measures should compri-e the maintenance of the utmost cleanliness in the barns. Should infection occur, the navel will become discoloured and greatly swollen. If the swelling extends up the belly, the animal will most probably succumb. The diseased part should be caref.dl.v opened and clonnsod with a five per cent solution of carbolic acid or some cciiially Vod disinfectant and subsequently covered with powdered bluestone which will tend to dry the wound. WIIITK SCOT'RS. Pi m White scours are due to a derangement of the digestive system. The milk does not pass properly into assimilation but becomes curdled and soured in the lamb's stomach. Ill h.ealth of the dam may be responsible for producinir milk containing ■njurious qualities or it may be created by feeding a heavy grain : -on. Rich grains, as peas or corn, are especially prone to cause this disorder. The -llowing treatment will be found beneficial: baking soda, one quarter ounce; magnesium sulphate, one ounce; ginger, one ounce. This should be administered in a little linseed pruel. Four hours afterwards give two ounces of linseed oil. The first remedy will tend to dissolve the curdled material, and the second will remove it from the stomach. I; t IS thought that the trouble is with the milk, the dam should be provided with a plentiful supply of succulent feeds, as turnips, mangels or cabbage, which are most helpful correctives in promoting health and vigor. LEAVES FROM THE NOTE-BOOK OF A SUCCESSFUL SHEPHERD. 1. R -arulate the time of lambing to suit the requirements of the market <:r in other words, have lambs of requisite size and weight ready for the shambles or for sale as flonkheaders in the case of pure-breds. when the demand is keenest an,! the price highest. 11 m The shepherd should estimate and fix his breeding season, by -eckoning back- wards 21 weeks, which is the iipproximate period of gestation, from the time he [ wislics liis lambs dropped. 2. If you wish to Hss;iie the birth of strong, vigorous Iambs, keep the pregnant I I'Hcs in a thriving and hpalth.v condition. :!, Do not neglect to provide .-"ome succulent feed for the ewes, as turnips, cabbage or manirlcs, for the winter ration. Maintenance u|)on ii very dry feed may result in ■nnitip;ition and serious ill-health. 4. A word of warning in respect to mangels. They should be fed in very limited liiantities to rams, since they are ])roiie to produce calculi or stones in the kidneys (ir bladder. These may become large enough to close complotely the urethral open- ing, wliicli. unless relief can be (|uiekly provirlcd, will result in the death of the ram. The ewes, having a larger urinal canal, are not so subjoat to this dmgar. Turnips aiul i;il)bages can be fed to both sexes with impunit.v. .'i. Seiiarate the ram from the ewes after the brooding season. The ram will tliiivp liettcr apart, and. besides, danger of his butting the ewes is averted. •i. Kvery well-regulated sheep barn should have a warm lambing pen. This slwiild be located in the south end. There is u) better means of insuring warmth iliau liy constructing the walls of boards tightly fitted on both sides of the studding. s'l 11^ to form a still air space. It is much more offeetive, in conserving heat and lii'iveiitiug the entrance of cold air. than where one layer of boards is idaced directly "in'ii another with building pai)er between. T. If pasture is not ready, commence feeding the lambs, when about two weeks old. a little grain, mostly oats, and a good quantity of clover or alfalfa hay. ''. Lambs should be fed in a sop.irat? pen from their dams, otherwise the ewes "otdd take what is intended for them and they woidd get little or nothing to eat. ■■a,6l l» '■'■ III raising pet lambs, watch that the cow's milk does not cause constipation, lo cdrrect this condition give a little castor oil with the milk. 1". .\11 lambs must be docked. This oiwration can be done most satisfactorily "hiii tliiy are from ten to fourteen days old. 11. Kam lambs not intended for breeding purposes must be castrated. Pure- wed iiuinials only should be preserved entire, and many of those, possessing marked ilpticts of type, had best be unsexed. K'. Sore teats and udder sbotdd be carefully treated. Since caked udder is iiM>t iivi|uently caused by exposure to draughts or lying in cold damp pens, every mtU 12 means should be taken to keep the ewe. in comfortable surronndin^s. After wea„i„J ewes, showing distress with their udders, shoul.l be milked for several days. 13 To pnvent wool balls in the stomach, clip all tags and locks of wool froj around the udder. ' U. Remove the manure from the pens frequently and keep them well bedded witk clean straw. ■ 15. no not permit the sheep to drink fr.m stagnant pools. These are prolific! breeding plaeos for mternnJ parasites. ' Ifi. Dip both lambs and ewes, after shearinjj the latt-r and before plaeinsr thej permanently upon pasture. ' IT i;,.„u.mher that one onnee of preventive is worth pounds of enre Thi, ij espee.all.v true of many parasitie diseases of she.p. f,.r «-l,inh there are uo oertnij remedies. "I