Care and Management of Sheep 253 
foul. Docked lambs thrive better than undocked, and they pre- 
sent a fuller and squarer appearance. The lambs should be 
docked at ten days to two weeks of age, or even younger if strong. 
This may be done by severing the tail with a sharp knife, cutting 
from the under side, by the use of a mallet and sharp chisel ; or, 
better still, by the use of docking pincers. 
PRACTICAL SHEEP BARNS 
Proper shelter for the flock adds greatly to its comfort and thrift. 
It need not, however, be either elaborate or costly. In the sheep 
barn there are several factors that must be provided for, but extra 
warmth not being one of the factors, the rest is comparatively simple 
and inexpensive. Chief among the factors for which provision must 
be made are ventilation without draughts, sunshine, drainage, con- 
venience for feeding, arrangements for separating ‘the ewes at 
lambing time, storage for grain and hay, and, if possible, a root 
cellar. 
409. Ventilation. — The ventilation of the sheep barn should 
receive careful consideration. This must be so arranged that there 
are no draughts, as such will result in colds, running at the nose, 
catarrh, and like troubles. Many experienced sheep owners pre- 
fer to ventilate the sheep quarters by placing doors across one side 
of the barn. 
An abundance of sunshine is essential to the well being of the 
breeding flock in winter. Sunshine is nature’s greatest disin- 
fectant, and keeps the quarters light and cheery. If the row of 
doors arranged for ventilation is on the south side of the quarters, 
as it should be, it will admit sufficient sunshine on days when the 
doors can be kept open. It is often necessary to close them on 
account of the severity of the weather, just after shearing, or just 
after dipping, and in such cases extra windows are very convenient. 
These may preferably be placed along the south side between the 
doors, as then they will serve their maximum efficiency. 
