juhhús

Juhhús is a term used in some rural contexts to refer to a building on a farm designed for housing sheep. The primary function is to provide shelter for sheep, young lambs, and related activities such as lambing, feeding, and protection from harsh weather. In many designs, juhhús consists of a rectangular plan with an attached or adjacent feeding area and a separate lambing pen, allowing farmers to monitor flocks in cold or wet conditions. Interior arrangements commonly include stalls or pens, a central alley, and troughs for hay or silage, with straw bedding added during winter.

Construction varies by region but typical features include timber framing, stone foundations, and a pitched roof—often covered with shingles, slate, or metal. Adequate ventilation is important to reduce humidity and disease; some designs incorporate openings along the walls or a higher clerestory. The building may be connected to a larger barn or used as a standalone shelter and storage space for equipment and forage.

Historically, juhhús emerged with traditional pastoral farming and has remained a component of rural architecture in areas where extensive livestock husbandry persists. In modern agriculture, such buildings are sometimes repurposed for storage or integrated with other farm operations, but in many communities they continue to serve as the primary shelter for flocks during winter.

Related terms include byre, sheep barn, and other rural outbuildings. The exact form and naming of juhhús can vary locally, with regional dialects shaping specific architectural details and uses.