A device for quantitative urine collection from male sheep in balance trials

A simple device for quantitative urine collection from male sheep kept in metabolic cages is described. The device consists of a modified funnel-urinal fixed to the body of the animal. The urinal is made of: a soft plastic foil internal funnel that collects the urine; an external strong nylon tissue funnel to protect from mechanical damage; a plastic ring joining both funnels and ties fixing the funnels to the body; a connector joining the funnels with soft plastic flexible tube draining the excreted urine into the collection container. The device performed satisfactorily in numerous balance type experiments. An advantage of the described method is that it uses a simple, easily made device and prevents urine loss during collection. The urine is free of contamination with faeces and feed.