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-hceated 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 
