Adequate ruminant housing plays a crucial role in the health, productivity, and well-being of sheep and goats. Proper housing provides shelter from harsh weather conditions, minimizes stress, and protects animals from predators and diseases.

It also ensures the safety of the animals, facilitates easier management practices, and contributes to their overall growth and productivity.

This article treats the issue of ruminant housing in sheep and goats. In the tropics indeed elsewhere it is not common practice to house sheep/goats in special buildings as this is of little practical value to traditional rural rearers.

Even in advanced countries it is within the past three decades that attempt to house sheep and goats permanently in environmentally controlled conditions is carried out to enable round-the-year production of lambs by the provision of artificial lighting pattern which enables ewe to produce up to two set of lambs per year.

if sheep rearing is considered in relation to improved husbandry then the construction of a sheep house becomes essential.Importance of sheep/goat house

Importance of Sheep/Goat House

A well-constructed and maintained sheep or goat house is vital for the overall success of a farming operation. It ensures the animals’ safety, comfort, and health, allowing them to thrive and contribute to farm productivity.

Proper housing is a critical component of good livestock management, providing both practical and economic benefits. Below are the key reasons why a sheep or goat house is important:

1. Protection from adverse weather condition: The major function of a sheep/goat house is to protect the animal from adverse climatic condition such as sunshine, rain, wind or cold.

For the most part adult sheep/goat are equipped to withstand cold due to heat produce during the fermentation process but young lambs/kids have not yet develop this mechanism and should, therefore be protected sheep/goat do not like being drench by heavy rain, nor excessive such particularly when the sun is at its height.

2. Better Surveillance: When sheep/goats are kept together in a house, the owner can better observe them. He is therefore in a better position to notice sick animals and treat appropriately before the disease is spread.

3. Protection from Predators: By the provision of a house, sheep/goat are protected from predators such as dogs, snakes, thieves, accidents and other harmful vices.

4. Easy handling: Handling is easier, animals can be caught, and flock management is improved because it allows for certain management practices such as isolation of rams outside breeding season and weaning to be carried out. Other management practices such as identification docking and castration can be done easily.

5. Feeding of supplements is easier: This is so because animal of the same age or same physiological sate such as yearlings, gestation, fattening weaning can be kept in the same group. This improves performance since each animal receives supplement meant to meet its particular production requirement.

Ruminant Housing Construction Materials

There are several materials in the market available for the construction of a sheep/goat house. The major underlining factor is the resource (money) available to the farmer.

The use of concrete, galvanized iron and wire netting should not be regarded as the optimum. Sheep/goat house made of such materials do not necessarily produce the best animals. Good performance records have been obtained from sheep /goat housed in thatched roof supported with brush wood.

There is no universal solution. Natural materials easily available to the farmer which can be renewable at low cost seems better suited to our farmer.

It is not the materials used that determine whether a sheep/goat house is modern or traditional but the design, sitting, care taken in its construction and above all, the way the house is maintained. Local materials available include, palm, straw, mud, euthanized floor, banana leaves, bamboo, rope, planks etc.

Types of Housing for Sheep and Goats

There are several types of housing options for sheep and goats, each catering to different needs and farming conditions. Below are some common types of housing:

1. Barn or Shed Housing

Barn or shed housing is one of the most common and permanent housing options for sheep and goats, especially on larger farms. These structures are fully enclosed, providing complete protection from the elements. Barns often have individual pens or stalls for each animal, which allows for easy management and monitoring.

The interior can be equipped with feeding and watering systems, and the flooring can be designed with slats or bedding to manage waste. Proper ventilation is essential in barns to avoid respiratory issues and maintain good air quality, particularly when animals are housed indoors for extended periods.

This type of housing is best suited for regions with harsh weather conditions and is typically used for both meat and dairy operations.

2. Open-Sided Shelter

Adequate Ruminant Housing in Sheep and Goat

An open-sided shelter is a more basic form of housing for sheep and goats. These structures have walls on only three sides or are partially open, providing shelter while allowing ample airflow and ventilation.

The roof helps protect the animals from rain, snow, and direct sunlight, but the sides remain open to ensure good ventilation. This type of shelter is best suited for areas with mild climates where extreme weather is less of a concern.

In warm climates, the open sides help prevent overheating, while in cooler areas, the shelter provides enough protection from the elements. The simplicity of this design makes it a cost-effective choice for small to medium-sized farms or for farmers just starting out.

3. Hutches

Hutches are individual, often small, enclosures designed for keeping sheep or goats in a more confined space. They are commonly used for goats, particularly in scenarios where isolation is needed, such as for breeding, nursing, or quarantine.

These hutches can be placed outside and often have a roof for weather protection. While hutches offer the benefit of keeping animals separate, they require careful management to avoid overcrowding, as confined spaces can cause stress and limit movement.

Many goat owners use hutches for milking does or for animals that need extra care. Some designs are mobile, allowing the hutch to be relocated to different areas of the farm as needed.

4. Portable or Mobile Housing

Portable housing offers the flexibility to move sheep and goats from one location to another, which is particularly useful in rotational grazing systems.

These structures are typically lightweight and easy to move, allowing farmers to adjust the housing location based on pasture availability or seasonal needs. Mobile shelters may be small, basic sheds or larger structures with a moveable frame.

Portable housing is ideal for farms with limited space or for farmers who prefer not to keep animals in a fixed location for long periods. It also helps minimize the environmental impact of grazing, as it reduces the likelihood of overgrazing in one area and provides fresh pasture for the animals.

5. Fenced Pasture Housing

Fenced pasture housing is a more natural housing arrangement where sheep and goats are kept in an enclosed pasture area with sufficient grazing space. The pasture is typically enclosed with sturdy fencing, which keeps predators out and allows the animals to roam freely and graze.

While these pastures may not have permanent buildings or shelters, farmers often provide movable shelters within the pasture to ensure animals can seek refuge during harsh weather conditions. Fenced pasture housing is an ideal setup for animals that primarily graze, as it allows them to engage in natural behaviors.

However, it’s essential to ensure that the fence is secure and that the animals have access to supplemental feed and water, especially in the winter months when pasture may not be sufficient.

6. Modular Housing Systems

Modular housing systems consist of prefabricated, interlocking units that can be easily assembled, expanded, or reconfigured to accommodate a growing herd of sheep or goats. These systems are designed to be cost-effective and flexible, offering a variety of options for different sizes of herds.

They often feature insulated panels, which help regulate temperature, and can include systems for automatic feeding and waste management.

Modular housing is particularly beneficial for farmers who want a scalable solution for their farm, as they can add or remove sections as their flock grows. These units are also designed to be durable and easy to maintain, with built-in features like ventilation openings and access doors for easy care.

7. Stanchion Barn

A stanchion barn is a specialized type of barn used primarily for dairy goats. In this setup, each goat is housed in its own individual stall with a stanchion that holds the goat in place during milking. This design allows for easy milking, as the goats are tethered and remain in position.

Stanchion barns typically have slatted or concrete floors for easy cleaning, and the animals are provided with a clean, dry area to rest. These barns are also equipped with proper ventilation to ensure a healthy environment for the goats.

Although stanchion barns are most commonly used for dairy operations, they can also be adapted for use with other types of goats, especially those requiring individual care, such as pregnant or nursing goats. The controlled environment provided by stanchion barns promotes hygiene, ease of management, and efficient milking operations.

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Types of Sheep and Goats Housing Unit

When it comes to housing sheep and goats, different types of housing units are designed to suit the specific needs of the animals, as well as the farming practices and environmental conditions. Below are the common types of sheep and goat housing units:

1. Lambing/kidding Unit

This is an area used to isolate pregnant ewes/does a few days to and after lambing/kidding. This allows for close monitoring of the pambing/kidding unit for 3-4days. This is to enable a close observation of both the dam and the lamb/kid and to ensure that the lamb/kid has obtained colostrums from the dam.

When constructing the lambing/kidding unit the number of sheep/goats in the flock should be taken into consideration, the method of breeding and body size of the breed.

Feeding rack and water trough should be available. Unlimited supply of feed and water o the dam in he lambing/kidding unit is important where this is not available, the dam should not be taken there.

A high level of hygienic should be maintained in the lambing/kidding unit. Bedding used should be renewed after each lambing/kidding and burnt particularly of the floor is rammed earth.

2. Sheep/Goat Handling Unit

An essential requirement for all sheep and goat farm is an efficient handling unit, including a race, dipping tank and footbath. This should be designed in such a way as to allow all operations to be done quickly. With the minimum number if helpers and an absence of stress and train on both men and animal.

Procedures carried out in he handling unit are : dipping, spraying, care of he feet, closing and inoculation and dragging. All handling systems comprise the following features.

i. A gathering pen-large enough to take all the sheep to be dealt with at one time.

ii. A forcing pen – This acts as a funnel to the race i.e. the narrow passage which sheep are forced into a single file with gates to enable sheep to be sorted out into separate pens.

iii. A dipping bath with draining pen

iv. A footbath

v. Handling or treatment pens.

vi. Holding or drafting pens into which sheep pass after treatment and sorting.

v. Handling unit should be sited centrally to grazing areas, free draining, shaded and convenient for access and loading. All construction must be free of sharp edges. Working area should be rooted to assist in the operations that must be carried out under all conditions.

This article has highlighted the need for adequate housing for sheep and goats low income farmers can take advantage of the local construction materials available in their environment as this will save cost and when properly managed improve the performance of their flock.

The provision of adequate housing is necessary in sheep and goat production if improved productivity is to be achieved. Different construction materials are available. The resources available to the farmer and his environment determines what he uses. In the article a covered house with a yard is considered sufficient.

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