CARE OF SHEEP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19860, 2 February 1928, Page 16

CARE OF SHEEP.

VALUE OF SALT LICKS. SOME GOOD MIXTURES. All flock owners who regularly supply their sheep with proper licks know how beneficial they are, says an Australian writer. It is generally admitted that the continuous grazing of sheep and overstocking have caused a considerable deterioration in the feeding and fattening quality of the grasses in a large number of instances. The sheep eat out all the finer grasses, and, as the coarser varieties take possession of the ground, the feeding value diminishes. One remedy is to introduce cattle which eat the coarser grasses, thus giving the finer qualities which the sheep are fond of a chance to recover. Top-dressing with superphosphate, which is a constituent of some licks, has brought about a wonderful change in the quantity and quality of the feed in many districts, and in the health and condition ol the sheep grazing on it. Where it is not possible to spell the land by replacing the sheep with cattle, and no top-dressing is done, the sheep ultimately become more or less stunted in growth, constitutionally weak, grow less wool and rarely get into fat condition unless they are regularly supplied with licks to enable them properly to assimilate the coarser classes of grass upon which they are compelled to feed Experienced authorities hold that, apart from the question of preventing attacks of parasites, it pays well to give sheep all the salt they will take Red rock salt in big lumps at one time was largely used, and there are many who find it all that is necessary to keep their sheep in good health. Licks should be supplied in roofed-over troughs. It is surprising what a small quantity will be used once the sheep have satisfied their craving for the minerals so necessary tor their digestion. A lick which gives good results is made by mixing together 501b. of coarse salt, 61b. each af slaked lime and bonemeal, 21b. of sulphur, and £lb. of sulphate of iron. Then add sufficient warm molasses to make the mass into a lolly-like consistency, which can be moulded into convenient blocks and placed in the. troughs. Another tonic lick which keeps sheep in good heart and imparts a bloom to the woo] is made of 42 parts of coarse salt, 5 parts each of slaked lime and sulphur, and 1 part each of sulphate of iron and ground ginger. These should be thoroughly mixed, kept dry and small quantities at a time put in the covered troughs. Where the country is subject to worms and fluke, the following salt and iron lick is recommended; One part finely powdered sulphate of iron well mixed through 40 parts of coarse salt. This lick may be improved where the sheep are actually infested by the addition of half a part each of flowers of sulphur and ground ginger.