SHEEP ON ROOTS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 112, 4 February 1908, Page 2

SHEEP ON ROOTS.

RULES FOR THEIR MANAGEMENT. . "Northants" .;eoutributos*'to the "Live. Stock Journal" (England) the following article, which contains a number of points of local application:— "In considering the management of sheep oil .roots, there are two objects which must be kept in view, viz., the consumption of tho roots with the greatest cconomvV as to the food, and also with regard to tlie comfort and well-being of tho flock,' and tho mana£emont-of,these operations with an eye to the following crop. Respecting the consumption of the roots jind comfort of the sheep, -care is necessary in arranging thb pens or folds. Tlie first pen should be partly cleared off so that there is plenty of space, or the roots will be fouled and consequently distasteful to the sheep. This first pen should be very soon followed by a second to mako a change and draw the sheep off 'the stale ground. There must be no false views of economy indulged in, or fears of wasting'a few roots. Such fears are groundless,"as sheep will always draw back and clean up all fragments left behind if they are not fouled by being too long penned on. If the comfort of the sheop be considered, and a fresh pen given frequently, particularly in wet weather, economy will be the result, and sheep will do well; whereas if tho sheep are kept on the ground with' a vie.w to eating all up before being served with more, tho roots will be soiled and rendered unpalatable, and sheep .will do badly. ' . : Tho Following Crop. . "And then with reference to tho following crop, which as a rule is barley, it is most necessary that the land is folded off evenly,' that sheep are not on one pen longer than on, another, or ono pen will get.more highly fertilised, causing a too luxuriant' growth of barley, which will become laid, and consequently of an inferior quality. In wet weather,, as before said, it is'necessary to keep penning forward even if the roots' aro not cleared up, trusting to sheep falling ba'ck as soon as land has settled. If this bo not done, tho land will be unduly poached, and, failing suitable weather coming, will plough up badly, and at seed-time will bo in an undesirable condition. As most farmers will agree, the root crop is a preparation for,tho barley crop, and so,care must bo exercised lest, alter no expense has been spared to crow the roots, bad management during the

consumption of thorn spoil the chanco3 the succeeding crop. ' The Fattening Sheep. ■ I "Forlthe proper consumption crf tho roots and the management of the crop, it is necessary that the latter be- divided up into classes as to ages and according to. their future disposal. Naturally the fattening sheep: which are expected to bo, cleared .oil first claim first attention. This lot will be composed of such shearlings as were not got off during the summer, the earliest and forwardest (if the tegs, and the draft ewes. In sheep feeding, as with other stock, the artificial or, auxiliary food is the .'great item'.of expense, so; it is necessary, when this' i 3 ' beingt,given, that such good management is bestowed that the feeding .'period ir.ay.,be as short as possible; Rest "and quiet-. is most conducive to feeding, arid :a:state of. reple- ~ tioii is conducive , to' rest, so the endoavour should be to induce 'this' state of things. There are some sheep-farmers who let their shearlings.feed and,-as tho term is, cut .their own food, and consider they will do well so, but it would, strike'.most that tho best plan is to cut for this class of sheep, so that they . may quickly get their fill and 'get to lair.' Once feeding has satisfied their- wants and they have laid themselves down, on ho aocount should they be disturbed until the next. feeding-time. These. : . feeding-times should bo punctually adhered 'to. Double sets of troughs should be provided, one for cake and another for tho cut turnips. /,Cako troughs should bo turned over as soon as ; emptied, and kept clean aind dry, so that there may be no waste of■feeding stulf. White turnips will be;used for this class of sheep early.in the season,.and. swedes take' their placo as early as the}' are considered ■ ripe. All'ages of sheep enjoy- : and require :so)no form of dry food, hay, clover, or straw. The way in which, hedges, aides, and bottoms . aro cleared, of all kinds of dry grass, etc.; is proof of what'sheep require. Straw, if sweet, is sufficient; for. storo sheep,, but feeding sheep do not want to consume anything that is not helpful to the fattening process, and should havetho best hay or clover the farm can supply always at .hand,., so that • \ they : may help themselves as they wish;. , Store Sheep." A • i, 1 • The hogs that are intended ,eventually to form part of.the breeding flock',arid,|those intended for feeding later on, or for grasmg during , the summer, form a second class, which,requiro a different management',; As part of this class aro intended for another -purpose than feeding, and .growth is mora an object than'laying on flesh, there is not so mush necessity for restfulness.. This .class , will do wolKto. gnaw white turnips- until '; such time that severe frosts,, or the-falling-'. " out of their teeth hinder them helping.,themAfter Christmas as a rule is tho time when it is considered-necessary to cut roots for these sheep, but- even then, , if; frost, is not ,severe ; tliey will do,, well without. The first fortnight, at- turnips is the time.':'that tries lamb hogs, tho:.most. As-a rule they.,, do not take readily, to the'.fresh diet. ■ The , best previous management in tho form- of feeding is to have a certain acreage of mustard.with a run out; on to stubbles, and if 1 they aro available,' cabbage's.'thrown -'out. for . 1 the lambs. After this living the lambs talto more readily, to. tho turnips and soon settle .down.. Small pens and frequent is tho order' of the day.,. Ono pen forward and then pick ■up'.tho back one, so that the lambs may have a fall'back. Tho Breeding Flosli. ■ . "There remain now tho breeding flock to bo considered. Oil farms where'there is a largo acreagc of grass land, the-ewes aro kept ori ,this as long as 'thc.v, are doing well, or as loiig.as there is plenty", o'f .food',; aiolpeu along with' cottoivcake,or,, corn. Towards the end of November or. early,'in December, it i 3 generally considered' ewes should' bp on "turnipsl ; The grass land i.f ;theii sweetcnerr and : fresh for.'stocking in February : ;when. lambs are .born. . Ewes '-.require 'nicelymanaging wheni on- turnips, and on this management depends tho diffei-enco : between' a' gOoil oi bad .lambing' season/ . There, are' several poijits t/liat require to he watched': Dry-food, either in form of "oako,• chaff," hay, 'or 1 straw, should be supplied, and there is;particular need for this.: After, a, wet. season, when the roots are flill -'of water, largiy pens . should be avoided, which" gives the; chance for. tho owes ..eating a largo, quantity of the . tops; but small' pens and often._ Although large pens should not be'given-it is Veil that tho ewes: should have .plenty'-of. room; iot 'only for,the saks.of avoiding.trampli'hg'the roots, but for the sake 'of.exorcise. . ■■A. very good plan, and one .often adopted,' is, to let the ewes follow the store lambs; This plan is,very good for the/lamLs, as they'are.al-, ways ;gett<iiig fresh food/ and' with respect to the owes the'danger of eating too' much - green food is- avoided.; If' ttie number .of owes.and lambs bo' equal /tho" ewes/ eating quite double tho -amount- lambs will do, will catch up the latter, "and can have a por-. ti'on of roots with the" tops on. Ewes'sliould never have a fresh pen whilst a >imo frost is oil them, or: trouble may bo anticipated. ; _■: ■•!'.;■ . '' ■ ; . Danger from. Dogs; -• . <! A great source of danger to owes on turnips ,is their being frightened'by dogs": or / foxes; more damage is caused'by these, latter animals than is ' appreciated. • Ewes -; are startled anil to;the fencing, which is ■ smashed down, and tliey sustain air sorts' of / damage".'Apart..from', these .scares,'-if the fencing is put down properly, in tho -first- instance,: sheep will settle down well, ; somb hundreds- bemg wintered .in tho same field without any fear of getting mixed up."