FEEDING THE EWES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 784, 6 April 1910, Page 10

FEEDING THE EWES.

OLD IDEA EXPLODED.

, The old idea that ewes'should be poor at lambing-time is not altogether uead yet; but why is inexplicable. The owe wants all the strength she can get to produce a strong, healthy lamb, and do justice to it during the first six wcoks of its career. : No matter (writes "Bendqlby" in tho "Australasian' 1 ) how good the condition of .tho owe when she lambs, it is only by the aid of a liberal amount of • green feed after lambing that she can keep up her own condition, and provide her lamb with a full supply of good milk. If in good condition at lambing-time' she can draw upon her reserve flesh to make milk. All" the spare tissue in herself, stored away previous to, lambing, .will go to the lamb. Ewes will thrive on a very moderate fare for some weeks after taking the ram; but when the foetus begins to make: a heavy, call on the dam, that which .kept her in condition before' will from'this stage onward prove inadequate. It may not be a great deal more that it needed to keep the balance, but if that little be not available, or 'worse still, if the available feed be a lessening.quantity, there is trouble ahead. Feed which will support one will, not support one. and build Up another, especially if the ewe has not, stored -up a surplus. The last six weeks prior to lambing make a big drain upon the ewe's system. This is' the time for'keeping, a special watch upon the condition of all ewes, and liiis is'the time for "quietly moving, them on to the choice feed in some paddock which has been. specially kopt in .reserve. On. big stations'it is not possible even for the more observant to closely study the conduct of owes prior to lambing. If, however, the children on the place have any such pets as guinea-pips, much may be-learnt by observing the' conduct of the female guinea-pig when heavy in young, and above all by noting the almost ceaseless appetite, and tho quantity of .food consumed by her in the final stages of pregnancy, as compared with customary performances when dry.