Chapter 10: Sheep and Goats omestic sheep (Ovis aries) and goats (Capra hir- When barns or sheds are provided, adequate ventila- cus) are small ruminants, and, as such, their tion and clean, dry surroundings are necessary to im- Dgeneral care and management are often similar. prove air quality, reduce the incidence of disease, and However, because they are a different genus and spe- increase animal comfort. Poor ventilation has reduced cies, their behaviors, foraging practices, diet selections, the performance of dairy sheep, and recommendations uses, and several physiological characteristics can be for adequate ventilation have been published (Sevi et different. Thus, facility design and husbandry must be al., 2002, 2003a,b, 2006; Albenzio et al., 2005). Guide- consistent with the behaviors, nutrient requirements, lines for facilities layout and housing can be found in use, and physiology of each species. For optimal re- Management and Diseases of Dairy Goats (Guss, 1977), sults, the people who care for these animals should be Goat Production (Gall, 1981), Goat Farming (Mowlen, well trained, have appropriate education, certifications, 1992), Goat Husbandry (Mackenzie, 1993), Sheep Hous- and(or) relevant experience, understand the species re- ing and Equipment Handbook (MWPS, 1994), Sheep quirements, and have good observational and commu- Production Handbook (ASIA, 2002), Small Ruminant nications skills. Production Medicine and Management: Sheep and Goats In many countries, and states and provinces within (Faerber, 2004), and Hoop Barns for Horses, Sheep, Ra- countries, various laws and regulations define and gov- tites, and Multiple Utilization (Harmon et al., 2004); ern animal husbandry practices. Local Institutional An- Caroprese (2008) has discussed sheep housing and wel- imal Care and Use Committees (IACUC) and people fare. using sheep and goats in research and teaching should In range, pasture, or outdoor drylot conditions, har- be familiar with laws and regulations that govern ani- vested feed resources, desirable forage, and prevail- mal husbandry practices, and they should be certain ing weather conditions are key determinants of area that animal care and use protocols are in compliance. requirements. The space required per animal depends on the intent of the research and teaching, type and FACILITIES AND ENVIRONMENT slope of floor or ground surface, weather conditions and exposure, and group size. Floor or ground area require- Sheep and goats used in research and teaching may ments vary considerably among locations, depending be produced and managed under a variety of environ- on conditions, husbandry, and management. Estimated mental conditions, including completely or partially en- minimum area recommendations for confined sheep are closed buildings, drylots, pastures, and remote range- listed in Table 10-1 (MWPS, 1994), the Sheep Housing lands. Regardless of the production environment, the and Equipment Handbook (MWPS, 1994), and in Sevi management system should be appropriate for the re- et al. (1999). search or teaching objectives and must ensure that the Acceptable floor surfaces include well-drained com- animals are cared for properly. pacted soil, nonskid concrete, concrete-slatted floors, Because of their adaptability and the insulating value composition mats, wood, and expanded-metal or woven- of wool and hair, artificial shelter for sheep and goats metal flooring or other materials that allow for proper may not be necessary. Site-specific needs for artificial footing and comfort for small ruminants. When goats shelter should take into account the geography, local have access to outside lots or pastures, an adequate environment and climate, and anticipated extremes of sheltered area is 0.5 m2 (5.4 ft2) per goat (Kilgour and temperature. For shelter from wind, cold, or sun, sheep Dalton, 1984). Stall feeding of dairy goats requires 1.5 and goats typically seek shelter near terrain and struc- m2 (16 ft2)/goat (Kilgour and Dalton, 1984). Sheep and tures, such as trees, shrubs, swales, boulders, ridges, goats are relatively intolerant of mud, so access to well- and artificial windbreaks. Wind-chill effects can be pre- drained, dry shelter is desirable. Crushed stone or stone dicted for small ruminants (Ames and Insley, 1975). dust is a suitable surface for heavily trafficked areas. Shelter for goats to provide warmth, shade, and protec- Dust control in pens may reduce respiratory and other tion from wind and precipitation is important. health problems and improve fleece quality. The surface 129 130 CHAPTER 10 Table 10-1. Recommendations for minimum floor and feeder space for confined sheep used in research and teach- ing1,2 Ewes and lambs Feeder lambs Rams (65–90 kg, Dry ewes (65–90 (additional creep Lamb creep area (14–50 kg, 180–300 lb) kg, 150–200 lb) area required) (2–14 kg, 5–30 lb) 30–110 lb) Floor Facility type m2 ft2 m2 ft2 m2 ft2 m2 ft2 m2 ft2 Building floor area Solid 1.86–2.79 20–30 1.12–1.49 12–16 1.39–1.86 15–203 0.14-0.19 1.5–2.0 0.74–0.93 8–10 Slotted 1.30–1.86 14–20 0.74–0.93 8–10 0.93–1.12 10–123 0.14-0.19 1.5–2.0 0.37–0.46 4–5 Lot area Dirt 2.32–3.72 25–40 2.32–3.72 25–40 2.79–4.65 30–50 — — 1.86–2.79 20–30 Paved 1.49 16 1.49 16 1.86 20 — — 0.93 10 Feeder space cm in cm in cm in cm in cm in Limit-fed 30.48 12 40.64–50.80 16–20 40.64–50.80 16–20 22.86–30.48 9–12 22.86–30.48 9–12 Self-fed 15.24 6 10.16–15.24 4–6 15.24–20.30 6–8 2.54–5.08 1–2 2.54–5.08 1–2 1Adapted from MWPS (1994). 2Space requirements should be increased for fully fleeced or horned sheep and during hot weather. 3Increase space if lambing rate is >170%. of floors, pens, pastures, and other enclosures can af- of sheep or goats should be restricted to the cooler times fect hoof wear and health. Thus, an effective hoof care of day. Cold and cold stress should also be considered program is an important component of sheep and goat when using sheep and goats for research and teaching management and welfare, although this is occasionally (for discussions of environmental, heat, and cold stress, overlooked when sheep and goats are kept indoors for see Ames et al., 1971; Morrison, 1983; Webster, 1983; prolonged periods. Young, 1983). Provision of additional feed and protection from wind and precipitation should be provided if the animals Fencing may experience extremes in temperature. Relationships between environmental conditions and nutrition have Fences allow managers to keep their animals together been described (NRC, 1981). Within intensive produc- and isolated from unwanted animals. Proper fences and tion facilities, ventilation and structural design should the appropriate use of fences can improve nutrition, prevent moisture condensation during cold weather, health, and biosecurity, ensure the integrity of experi- provide cooling during hot weather, and ensure that air mental designs and protocols, and protect the physical quality standards are met. security of animals used in research and teaching. Be- Newborn lambs and kids and recently shorn sheep cause there are numerous research and teaching objec- and goats are susceptible to hypothermia, hypertherm- tives, and many sizes, ages, and behaviors of sheep and ia, and sunburn (see Shearing section). Frequency of goats, the appropriate fence design varies with experi- neonatal observations should be increased, and appro- mental or teaching objectives (Miller, 1984). However, priate shelter should be provided if natural conditions there are a few general recommendations for fencing: do not offer sufficient protection. The water requirements of sheep and goats increase 1) Understand the behavior of sheep and goats and during hot and humid weather, and it is essential that how they respond to, or cope with, fences. The animals have access to an adequate supply of potable agility, natural curiosity, and inquisitive nature water. Consideration for freezing of the water supply of goats can make some difficult to contain. should be addressed in cold environments. Even though Because of their behaviors, goats and the occa- an adequate supply of liquid water is preferred, sheep sional sheep will defeat traditional gate or pen will consume enough soft snow, as opposed to hard latching mechanisms. Thus, safeguards or re- crusty snow, to meet their water requirements (Degen dundant measures for securing entrance and exit and Young, 1981). Established equations can be used to points should be considered. Sheep and goats estimate water requirements under a variety of condi- may become entrapped in poorly constructed tions (NRC, 2007). Additional information is available or inappropriate electric fencing, and one must in the Feed and Water section of this chapter. consider this in the design and upkeep of any Small ruminants may need special attention when fencing with an electrical component. Sheep and respiratory rates increase in response to increased air goats frequently attempt to harvest forage that temperatures. During hot weather, handling or driving is beyond the perimeter of the fence. Sheep and SHEEP AND GOATS 131 especially horned goats can get their heads and (MWPS, 1994). A window area of 0.5 m2 (5.4 ft2) per legs trapped in an inappropriate fence. During goat can provide adequate light and ventilation (Colby, the breeding season, rams and buck goats often 1972). Although natural daylight ordinarily is sufficient attempt to escape from their enclosure to reach in most situations, supplemental light of 170 lx is rec- ewes and does. Rams in adjacent enclosures will ommended for ease of observation during lambing or attempt to fight, which often destroys the fence kidding.