Winter Care and Feeding. 37 



WINTER QUARTERS FOR SHEEP. 



Winter quarters for sheep should be of such a 

 kind that the sheep are dry above and underfoot. 

 Therefore, when a sheep barn or shed is built it 

 should be properly located. If possible, a spot of 

 elevated ground should be selected to provide good 

 drainage on all sides. There should never be a 

 time when water runs into the sheep barn during 

 heavy rains or when snow is melting rapidly in 

 winter. When sheep are forced, contrary to their 

 nature, to lie down on a wet floor in a barn rheu- 

 matism and stiffness in legs and body will soon 

 set in. Though sheep like dry quarters in winter 

 they do not prefer too warm a place, as their coat 

 of wool keeps them sufficiently warm. Another 

 important factor leading to the welfare of the flock 

 is to avoid all draughts. Coughing, running at the 

 nose, and lung diseases are often due to draughts 

 sweeping through the barn or shed. The barn 

 should be dry, airy, and well-ventilated, but must 

 be free from draughts. It should also be well 

 lighted, since sheep prefer the light and thus do 

 not thrive so well in a dark place. The barn must 

 have wide doors, so that the sheep do not get 

 jammed and injured by rushing through too nar- 

 row doorways. The results of narrow doorways 

 are broken-down hips, the squeezing and crushing 



