FLOORS 437 



tection, and, as stated in the discussion of lambing in Chapter 

 XXXII., a warm room can be easily arranged for young lambs in 

 one section or corner of the barn. 



Dryness. Any sheep barn which does not keep the feet and the 

 coats dry is practically a failure. In addition to placing the barn on 

 a dry, well-drained site, it is advisable to raise the ground inside the 

 foundation three or four inches by filling in with clay. The lots just 

 outside should be graded so that water will drain rapidly away from 

 the barn and whenever possible they should be coated with gravel 

 (Figs. 235 and 236). 



Light. A barn which does not admit an abundance of light 

 invites the collection of dirt and filth, both of which are detrimental 

 to the health and thrift of sheep. Especial attention should be 

 given to arranging the barn so that it will admit a maximum of 

 sunlight in winter and early spring for no other natural agency 

 equals sunlight in destroying germ life and it is of especial benefit 

 to both ewes and lambs in the lambing season. 



Ventilation. No other class of animals suffers more from con- 

 finement in close, poorly ventilated quarters than do sheep, and 

 hence it is impossible to over-emphasize the importance of good 

 ventilation. The barn should admit an abundance of fresh air, but 

 strong drafts should be avoided. This is not easily accomplished in 

 cold weather, especially if there are young lambs that must have 

 warm quarters. But it should be possible to admit a sufficient 

 amount of fresh air by opening doors and windows on the side of 

 the barn opposite the direction from which the wind is coming. 

 In order to avoid drafts in large barns where there is a large 

 amount of unbroken space, it is usually necessary to construct one 

 or two partitions extending from the floor to the ceiling. 



One of the best fresh-air types of shelter for sheep is a shed 

 which is open on one side. Foul air never collects in such a build- 

 ing, and there are seldom any injurious drafts. Systems of ven- 

 tilation having no connection with windows and doors have not 

 been extensively installed in sheep barns, but doubtless they can be 

 used to advantage in cold climates (Figs. 237-239). 



Floors. Earth floors are the cheapest and best for sheep. A 

 floor surfaced with clay will soon become so firmly packed by the 

 sheep tramping over it that very little of the liquid manure can 

 escape. The alleys, the foundation, and possibly the feeding floors 

 should be made of concrete, but a wooden floor is quite as satisfactory 

 as concrete for feed rooms. 



