Global Sports: How The Free Roaming Sheep Huts Began

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

How The Free Roaming Sheep Huts Began

By George Cook


The farming practices we have today vary so much from those that were used in the past. There were times when labor was cheap and easily available. Farmers did not use the chemical fertilizers that are now commonly used. In those times, only manure was utilized in the increase of the production of soil. Using this method, however, proved to be very challenging. It was complicated to transport the manure that was needed to the fields from the farmyards. Therefore, farmers decided to make use of the lambs to ease this work. From this, making use of free roaming sheep huts was then born.

The downlands in the valleys and the uplands would not use the same breeds of ram for fertilizing. There were the upland sheep that fertilized those farms that were found on the hills. The farmers would not allow these animals to move freely. They were put together in hurdles.

The shepherd would keep moving the ram once they grazing one grassland. After they had been done grazing, the animals were sure to leave behind a lot of manure. The farmers then plowed the manure in. When they had done this, the soil would be appropriate for farming of the wheat, oats and the barley. Using the organic fertilizers made the land suitable for growth of these crops.

During that time, if you owned a farm, then it was vital that you have a flock of sheep. The animals also needed to be hardworking. Therefore, the one who took care of these animals was the most valuable worker. In most situation, the valleys held the downland villages. The downland fields were not near the farmyard. Therefore, it was important for the shepherd to have a place to store the equipment and medicine.

This task was not an easy one. It was a lot of physical work where the lambs needed to be moved every day. This meant that the shepherd would need a place to eat and sleep. This was most important when the season of lambing was on. This hut was made and was called the shepherd or the sheep shelter.

There were all the basic rooms in this shelter. There was a kitchen, a sitting room, a store room, and also a bedroom. What was important was making sure the shepherd got accommodation that was durable and also practical. One corner of the house had a stove. This stove was useful as it was used in cooking and providing warmth. The shepherd had a window on each side so that they could see the animals easily.

There was also a steady and hinged door. The position of this door was such that it was found from the prevailing winds. This was necessary so that the shepherd could listen to the flock easily. The house also contained axles that were strong. There were wheels of cast iron on each axle. This helped the shepherd to move.

It has been proven that these huts can last for long. This can be seen by the many shelters that are still existent today. Most of them are just storerooms now. Alongside some firms, you are sure to see some of them. Others have even been completely abandoned. The farmers have signed them over to the museums of agriculture. Therefore, they are just used as evidence for those times that have passed.




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