Range Sheep 153 



not permitted in the Forest Reserve. It is customary, 

 however, to have corrals within at least a reasonable dis- 

 tance so that in case bands of sheep become mixed, it is 

 possible to corral them for separation. At the home 

 ranch, corrals are always used to some extent at lamb- 

 ing time. In addition, the better equipped sheep ranches 

 all have corrals equipped with a dodging chute. This is 

 a long narrow chute through which the sheep may pass 

 one at a time. At the end of the chute is a small gate 

 so arranged that the sheep may be run into either one of 

 two corrals by simply moving the gate. In separating 

 sheep, men will be stationed along the chute to pick out 

 the ones which go into a certain pen. These will be marked 

 usually with blue chalk. Then, after they reach the end 

 of the chute, the man working the gate lets the marked 

 sheep into one pen and the remainder into the other. In 

 this way a large flock of sheep may be divided into several 

 parts, with great rapidity. In picking out ewes which 

 are to be sold on account of broken mouths or spoiled 

 udders, this system is very commonly used. A number 

 of corrals are always necessary in connection with dipping 

 vats and shearing plants. 



The most common method of corral construction is 

 by means of light panels of boards. These are wired to- 

 gether at the ends and either put zigzag or are supported 

 by wiring or nailing to stakes driven in the ground. Woven 

 wire also makes good corrals, especially for temporary use. 

 Thirty rods of woven wire fencing will corral a large band 

 of sheep, yet this amount of fencing will only weigh 200 

 pounds. 



