Page 301 - Primary Five Science

Gestation period

The normal gestation period of ewes is approximately 150

days or 5 months

Housing of sheep

Qualities of a good house for sheep

 It should be well ventilated and with enough lighting

 It should have a floor kept clean and dry

 It should have a roof that can protect animals from bad

weather condition

 Floors of the shed should be firm and should have the capac-

ity to absorb water. The floors should be constructed in such

a way, so that it should be easily cleaned.

Importance of proper housing

 It prevents easy spread of some diseases

 It protects the animals against bad weather.

 It protects the animals against predators and thieves.

Goat and Sheep Management

1. Hoof trimming

This is the shaping of overgrown hoofs of

sheep or goat

Overgrown hooves may make walking

painful, predispose the animal to other

foot and leg problems, and competing

for feed difficult.

Overgrown hoofs encourage foot rot dis-

ease.