Housing, folds and pasture

In short

• Dry and draught-free, but airy. A sheep doesn't need a warm shed; damp and ammonia are worse for her than frost.
• Per ewe 1.2–1.5 m² of shed, a ewe with lambs 2–2.5 m², a ram 3 m²; hay rack 40–50 cm per ewe.
• At night keep sheep in the shed or a night fold near the house, with a fence of 1.6–1.8 m (5–6 ft) and protection against digging under.
• Protection from predators is layered: fold, guardian animal raised with the sheep, electric fence and people nearby. One measure isn't enough.
• On pasture the best fence is electric netting or wire, or stock fencing; barbed wire tears wool and injures sheep.
• Many predators are protected by law. Report and document losses; never use poison or illegal traps.

What's inside

Chapters

1. A site for the shed and fold
2. Measurements: how much space
3. A shed for 10 ewes and a ram
4. Floor, bedding and muck
5. Hay racks, water and salt
6. Air, light, winter and summer
7. The night fold
8. Protection from dogs, foxes and coyotes
9. Pasture fencing
10. Handling pen, shearing and quarantine
11. Common mistakes
12. Printable checklist

Worksheets

• Shopping list for a 6 × 5 m shed
• Fencing and bedding calculator
• Flock-protection plan
• Measurements and sketch of my shed
• Maintaining the shed, fold and fences