CHAPTER VIII 

 WINTER MANAGEMENT OF THE FLOCK 



Success in bringing sheep through the winter in 

 good condition is dependent upon th€ observation 

 of a few principles aside from feeding. While 

 some shelter is necessary in practically all localities, 

 nothing in the way of close housing is safe, especially 

 with ewes in lamb. Good yard accommodation in 

 which the sheep can keep on dry footing and have 

 plenty of room to exercise is the first requisite. In 

 the house or sheds, about fifteen square feet of floor 

 space is necessary for an average-sized sheep. The 

 fleece affords sufficient warmth while it is dry, and 

 for this reason the main need in a shed or sheep barn 

 is protection from storms and plenty of ventilation 

 without drafts. If the quarters are airy and com- 

 fortable, the sheep will resort to them whenever 

 necessary. On most dry nights, they will prefer to 

 be out of doors and will winter much better if allowed 

 to do so than they will if kept confined in close or 

 crowded pens. It is usually more convenient to 

 have the feed racks inside, but some of the rough feed 

 should always be fed out of doors. With breeding 

 ewes, toward lambing time there is danger of injury 



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