Farm Sheep 195 



and running to the ground. In most localities one or 

 possibly two sides of the barn are left open. The need 

 of protection for sheep is against rain, snow, and wind, 

 and a barn open on one side, or possibly two sides, if 

 placed properly, will furnish all of this protection. Sheep 

 are clothed naturally with one of the best non-conductors 

 of heat that is known, and in a closed barn they very 

 easily become over-heated and go off feed. In some lo- 

 calities the open side is absolutely necessary. Whether 

 the barn is open on one side or closed, ample ventila- 

 tion must be furnished. In building a sheep barn or shed 

 of any type, if the posts are set at equal distances in every 

 direction, panels can be made so they will fit any place 

 in the shed. A distance of either ten or twelve feet from 

 center to center is a good dimension. In practice this 

 will be found very convenient, since with the panels the 

 same size and the distances between the posts the same, 

 pens can easily be set up in any part of the barn desired. 



Light is as essential as ventilation, and windows should 

 be well distributed around the outside walls of the barn. 



A part of the barn can be set aside for the storage of 

 roots and grain; another part for a hospital, and shep- 

 herd's room. This part of the shed is usually furnished 

 with a stove, which is very convenient during lambing 

 time in treating chilled lambs. The best location for the 

 hospital room is adjoining the shepherd's room. 



Running water in the shed is quite an asset, and if 

 possible should be piped to troughs in the various pens. 



Sheds can be used for the housing of sheep where the 

 hay is stored in the horse or cattle barns or where it is 

 stacked in the open. A shed open away from the pre- 

 vailing winds will furnish ample protection in most places. 



Often it is desirable to have a shed that can be moved 



