328 MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING OF SHEEP 



lambs are concerned it may be a very vital issue for the 

 location and construction of lambing pens (see page 336). 



The facilities for watering are greatly important. 

 The idea frequently cherished that sheep do not need to 

 be supplied with water is certainly fallacious. They can 

 exist without water when the pastures are succulent or 

 when snow covers the ground better than any other class 

 of animals kept on the farm, but the fact remains that 

 the flockmaster who supplies his sheep with an ample 

 supply of pure water will be abundantly rewarded for his 

 pains (see Chapter XV). 



The provision of sunlight, yard room and paddocks 

 is seldom given the consideration which the importance 

 of these demands. Without ample sunlight in the sheds, 

 the highest degree of vigor in the sheep cannot be main- 

 tained. In the absence of suitable yards the proper grad- 

 ing of the sheep is not practicable, and in the absence of 

 paddocks it is not possible to keep a breeding flock in 

 every respect as it should be kept. For the further dis- 

 cussion of this question see page 338. 



The question of ventilation without drafts is greatly 

 significant. When sheep are confined in close quarters 

 without proper ventilation, the results will soon become 

 disastrous to the well-being of the flock. How such ven- 

 tilation may be secured without drafts is discussed on 

 page 339. 



The facilities for removing the manure should not be 

 overlooked, since the frequent removal of the same is 

 beneficial to the health of the sheep, and it also prevents 

 serious deterioration in the value of the manure. Such 

 removal tends to lessen odors that generate, and it tends 

 to prevent fire fang, which is so common to sheep manure 

 when made under cover. 



A building oblong and not too wide — An oblong 

 sheep shed has the following advantages over one that is 

 somewhat square or round in shape : (i) It makes it pos- 

 sible to increase the divisions easily and to locate them 



