HOW TO FATTEN LAMBS.

Shannon News, 30 December 1924, Page 2

HOW TO FATTEN LAMBS.

The prospect for fat lamb bi*eeders is again good, ,and remunerative prices are assured says the .‘N.Z. Farmer.” The main thing is to fflush the lambs' properly, before sending them to the freezing works or the saleyards. • - .'

When farmers are purchasing iambs for fattening on rape, the more forward their condition the greater—is the chance of- profit. The thin, weedy lamb does no good on rape as a rule- —it will thrive better on, sound pasture lor the time being.

On fresh young pastures that are not overstocked, lambs flourish amazing, even when the soil is not of the highest quality. Many fat lambs jvill go off their mothers prime fat under such circumstances, and for those that are not fat when weaned, rape should be provided, followed by soft-fleshed turnips. Lucerne is, of course, excellent iamb food, and a good stand will carry a large number per acre; but for very rapid fattening the rape is t lit? better of the two.

While the lambs are on rape, a change to pasture for a short time every third day is of the utmost importance. If this is not seen to, the blood will become over heated, and a number of the lambs will receive a check which will greatly lengthen the fattening period. It is not sufficient to give the lambs an adjoining pasture as a run off at will. They must be closed olf the rape at short intervals, otherwise the ma- >■ jority would never leave the rape paddock, and some would never leave the pasture. ' The initial change from pasture to rape should be gradual, particularly if the rape crop is exceptionally luxuriant.