THE WAY TO HANDLE SHEEP.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 375, 29 January 1880, Page 2

THE WAY TO HANDLE SHEEP.

There is a right way and a wrong way, a hard way and a easy way, an awkward way and a skilful way, to natch and handle sheep. A great many men will catch the sheep by the wool on-the back with both hands, and lift the animal clear from the ground by the wool only. Barbarous 1 Let some great giant grasp you by the hair of your head and lift you from the ground by the hair only ! Would you not struggle and squirm worse thau the mute sheep does when lifted by the wool?: And would there not be a oomplaint of a sore head for week; or two ? If you do not believe it try the We have 'slaughtered a great many sheep in years past,-and when removing the pelts of such sheep as had been handled by the wool, we never failed to observe that beneath the .skin, wherever, the animal has been handled by the wool,- blood had settled. In many instances the skin had been separated from the-body, so that inflammation wag apparent. We have known proprietors of sheep to be so strict in regard to handling them, that they would .order a helper from the premises were he to catch a sheep by the wool or any part of the body. ■ Some owners of sheep direct their helpers tliusWhen about , to catch a sheep, move carefully towards the one to be taken, until you are sufficiently near to spring quickly and seize, the beast by both ends, then pass one hand round the body, grasp the brisket, and lift the sheep clear from tho ground. The wool must not be pulled. If the sheep be a heavy oiie, let one hand and wrist be .put round the neck and thfc arm pressed against the leg-" We have always handled sheep in the manner alluded to. We never grasp the wool. Others seize the sheep by a hind leg then throw one arni around the body, aud take -hold of the briskets with.one hand. Both ewes and lambs should. never be caught by the hind legs, unless handled with extreme care. When sheep are handled roughly. espeoia|ly if. their/-wool is pulled, and :small bruises and injuries will render them more wild and difficult to handle.