382 A STUDY OF FARM ANIMALS 



and near-by fields, and caused to exercise by eating rough- 

 age scattered about. Prof. B. O. Severson recommends* 

 at least twenty-five square feet of space for each mature 

 sheep. Mature stock rams should always have plenty of 

 exercise, and be kept in muscular, vigorous condition. 

 Breeding ewes that have plenty of exercise in the open will 

 drop stronger lambs than will those that are kept closely 

 housed and not exercised. During summer, when on pas- 

 ture or grazing forage crops, sheep, as a rule, get plenty of 



Figure 170. The interior of a model sheep barn, showing feed racks, on the 

 estate of Oakleigh Thome of New York. Photograph from Mr. Thome. 



exercise; but, during the season when they are often more 

 or less penned up, exercise should be provided. 



Dipping of sheep is a necessity in all well regulated flocks, 

 in order to kill ticks, scabies, or lice. Standard sheep dips 

 are sold in all countries where sheep husbandry is carefully 

 managed. Those most commonly used in America are coal 

 tar or tobacco products. A metal dipping tank may be 

 purchased from manufacturers of shepherds' supplies or of 

 regular water tank manufacturers. A tank may easily be 

 made of cement that will render the best of service. The 



*Sheep Raising, Extension Circular 49, (1916), Penn. State College. 



