CHAPTER XLIV 

 BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT FOR FARM FLOCKS 



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THE point which has been emphasized more than any other in 

 connection with the construction of buildings for sheep is that this 

 class of animals does not require an expensive type of shelter. 

 While this is true it does not follow that care in planning a sheep 

 barn or shed is unnecessary. In fact, it pays well to erect a type of 

 building which bears ample evidence of planning for the health of 

 the sheep and for the convenience of those responsible for their care. 



Essential Features of Buildings for Sheep. Location. 

 Sheep buildings should be located on dry, well-drained ground 

 where there are no obstructions to sunlight and good air 'drainage. 

 A southern slope having the possibilities of a bank barn serves as 

 an excellent building site. The ground to be converted into lots 

 about the building should also be dry and well-drained, for dry 

 footing is one of the essentials to the health of sheep (Fig. 233). 



If possible, the barn or shed should be located only a short dis- 

 tance from at least a part of the area that is to be iised as pasture or 

 forage for the flock. This will permit of the barn being used 

 throughout the year and it is a much more convenient place than 

 the fields for feeding grain to the lambs in late spring and in 

 summer. In order to economize time in caring for the flock the 

 sheep barn should be located near the other farm barns, provided 

 this can be done without sacrificing the other important factors 

 mentioned above. If only a shed is erected it will be necessary for 

 the sake of convenience to locate it near buildings where winter 

 feed is stored. 



Shape of Barn. In general the rectangular barn is the most 

 convenient type for housing a breeding flock of sheep. During 

 certain periods it is necessary to divide the main flock into various 

 smaller groups for which it is easier to provide pens in a rectangular 

 barn than in either a square or a round barn. But in case it is 

 unnecessary to arrange for small groups, the square and round types 

 of barns may be quite as desirable as the rectangular type (Fig. 234) . 



Warmth. Sheep do not require an expensive type of building 

 because they do not need especially warm quarters, which, together 



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