HOUSING OF

SHEEP AND GOATS

BY: JEFREY BARTOLOME
 GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR
SHEEPS AND GOATS HOUSING
1. Provision of simple shed with low cost housing materials is enough
for sheep and goat for optimum production efficiency.
2. Sheds with mud floor are suitable except where high rainfall.
3. The sheds should be constructed in an elevated area to prevent
water stagnation.
4. Fodder trees can be grown around the shed, which acts as source of
feed for the growing goats.
5. Clean drinking water should be available for goats.
6. Sheds should be constructed with proper ventilation.
7. Floors of the shed should be firm and should have the capacity to absorb
water. The floors should be constructed in such a way, so that it should be
easily cleaned.
8. Types of sheds depend on the system of rearing.
9. Open type housing with a covered area and run space is generally enough.
10. The run space should be covered by chain links.
11. Gable roofing is generally preferred.
12. For small sheds lean to type roofing is advisable.
13. When the animals are taken for grazing during the daytime and sheltered
only during the night, the covered space will be enough.
14. When the animals are housed intensively, the pen and run system of
housing is suitable.
15. Separate feeders and waters troughs should be placed for concentrate
feeds, green fodders and water.
 FLOOR SPACE REQUIREMENTS
Age groups Covered space (sq. m) Open Space (sq.m)
Up to 3 months 0.2-0.25 0.4-0.5
3 months to 6 months 0.5-0.75 1.0-1.5
6 months to 12 0.75-1.0 1.5-2.0
months
Adult animal 1.5 3.0
Male, Pregnant or 1.5-2.0 3.0-4.0
lactating ewe/ doe
 FEEDING AND WATERING SPACE
REQUIREMENT
Type of animal Space per Width of Depth of Height of inner
Animal (cm) manger / manger/ wall of
Water trough Water trough manger/ water
(cm) (cm) trough (cm)
Sheep and goat 40-50 50 30 35
Kid/lamb 30-35 50 30 25
 DIFFERENT SHEDS IN AN ORGANIZED
SHEEP AND GOAT FARM
1. General flock shed (ewe/Doe shed)
 for breeding purposes.
15m x 3m dimension

2. Ram/buck shed
rams or bucks kept for breeding purpose are housed individually in
the sheds. Alternatively wooden partitions can be raise their bigger
shed.
4m x 2.5 x 3m dimensions, can accommodate 3 rams or bucks
3. Lambing/kidding shed
These sheds shall be used as maternity rooms for pregnant ewe or
doe and are house individually in the shed.
4. Lamb/kid shed
Lambs or kids from weaning up to attaining maturity are house the
sheds at the rate of about 25 animals per shed.

5. Sick animal sheds

These sheds used for segregating sick, ailing and disabled animals.
3m x 3m x 3m dimension
6. Shearing and store room
Consist of 2 compartments with the dividing wall
Meant for storing wall ,shearing equipment, feed and medicines.
6m x 3m dimension
7.Attendant room
For caretaker
 UNITS
1. FLOOR
Can be strong wooden
Plank shall vary from 7.5cm to 10cm and the thickness between
2.5cm and 4.5cm.
Side of the planks shall be rounded and the clearance between the
planks shall range between 1cm between 1.5cm for disposal of dung
and urine.
The flooring height at least 1m above the ground level.
Cement flooring-15cm to 30cm in height and properly level.
2. ROOF
Maybe made gabled.
Roof material- corrugated galvanized or bricks.
3. GATE
Each shed maybe provide 1 or more gates
Gate dimension- 0.8m and 1m height
4. MANGER
The manger maybe concrete cement or wood with 2 compartments for
providing feed and hay.
Portable type.—Height- 450mm to 600mm
5. DIPPING TANK
To protect the animals from infection.
made of cement or galvanized steel.
6. FOOTBATH
Made of cement or galvanized steel
To protect animals from foot rot disease.