sheep slats (timber or steel mesh)

clover 1

converting a old shed into slatted accomadation for sheep ,undecided as to use timber slats or the steel mesh have heard pros and cons for both , still undecided as to which is best.

docmartin

i'm wondering the same thing, i'm currently building a sheep house with slatted tank and anyone i've spoken to has advised plastic sheep slats, much cleaner and healthier i'm told

kboc

docmartin wrote: »

i'm wondering the same thing, i'm currently building a sheep house with slatted tank and anyone i've spoken to has advised plastice sheep slats, much cleaner and healthier i'm told

Martin,

I am planning a shed also for sheep.

How deep is your tank?
Is the walls shuttered mass concrete or concrete blocks?

Thanks
K

docmartin

kboc wrote: »

Martin,

I am planning a shed also for sheep.

How deep is your tank?
Is the walls shuttered mass concrete or concrete blocks?

Thanks
K

putting in a 6ft tank, pouring the walls and tank sides, walls will be 6ft high if i remember correctly

flatout11

clover 1 wrote: »

converting a old shed into slatted accomadation for sheep ,undecided as to use timber slats or the steel mesh have heard pros and cons for both , still undecided as to which is best.

if your budget can streach id go for the plastic slats, if not the metal will need less repairs

clover 1

true probably the best option only that the panels are small and would require a lot of suspending , what way are they generally suspended steel or timber.

flatout11

clover 1 wrote: »

true probably the best option only that the panels are small and would require a lot of suspending , what way are they generally suspended steel or timber.

steel

kboc

http://www.rimco.co.uk/product/slatted.htm

Biggest size is 4 ft x 1 ft 7in

This could lead to alot of extra support needed, which would further increase costs.

Steel mesh can be got in 8 ft x 4 ft sheets, always some on done deal which will give you a rough price

kboc

http://www.donedeal.co.uk/for-sale/sheep/2746846

roosky

well ye are on the right tracks lads

i worked in a place with all 3 types by far the best was the plastic...

apart from the cost they were far superior ...the truly lifetime job as the mesh ones will rust and corrode with time and don't let down the likes of cleanings or that

the mesh is next....looks great new but when its older it gets well shook

i dont like the timber slat but if ya got them cheap!!

another option if your a mixed farmer is a multipurpose slat for sheep and cattle....just leave ya more options

now my question i want to convert a shed from concrete floor to sheep slats i have my own digger and will be able to do alot of the work my self probably will block the tank......4ft or 6ft deep
its a 10x36 ft so what would be the big costs and what would it roughly cost

thanks

docmartin

roosky wrote: »

now my question i want to convert a shed from concrete floor to sheep slats i have my own digger and will be able to do alot of the work my self probably will block the tank......4ft or 6ft deep
its a 10x36 ft so what would be the big costs and what would it roughly cost

thanks

Can't give you any pointers on this yet roosky, as i havent looked at pricing my plastic slats yet or my feed barriers, also considering installing a walkthrough feed trough, as i get my prices though i will let you know

docmartin

yog1

roosky wrote: »

well ye are on the right tracks lads

i worked in a place with all 3 types by far the best was the plastic...

apart from the cost they were far superior ...the truly lifetime job as the mesh ones will rust and corrode with time and don't let down the likes of cleanings or that

the mesh is next....looks great new but when its older it gets well shook

i dont like the timber slat but if ya got them cheap!!

another option if your a mixed farmer is a multipurpose slat for sheep and cattle....just leave ya more options

now my question i want to convert a shed from concrete floor to sheep slats i have my own digger and will be able to do alot of the work my self probably will block the tank......4ft or 6ft deep
its a 10x36 ft so what would be the big costs and what would it roughly cost

thanks

we have the multipurpose slat, don't rate them at all, they are the worst of both world's the spaces in the slats are too big and lambs tend to get there feet stuck, i'm talking lambs at 6month old, also to try and lamb on them is a nightmare, newborn lambs getting stuck in them and then getting tramp'd on, also the sheep get very dirty on them, too much concrete, 3"of slat then 3/4" gap then 3" of slat again, the other shed we have have proper sheep slats, 2" concrete then 1/2" gap, then 2" concrete again, sheep keep much cleaner on them,
same goes for when you use them for cattle, gap's not big enough between concrete bit's, they can't get the dirt tramp'd down the gap,

reilig

Those of you talking about putting new tanks into existing sheds are looking at a lot of money which may never be recouped. How many sheep do you keep and what sort of profit are you turning to justify such an investment?

15 years ago we kept 120 ewes and we converted an old style 3 bay hayshed to a raised slatted shed using timber slats. It cost just over 5000 pounds. We built a tank and diverted all liquid flow form the shed to the tank, used wooden slats which were made from wood sawed from high voltage esb line poles and made into 4ft x 8ft panels. The panels were raised 2ft from the concrete floor. We research a lot of slats and had an option of buying second hand plastic slats at the time. Chose the timber mainly because of the comfort and the grip on them for the sheep. But also when we looked at the second hand plastic slats, we noticed that the plastic in them had become brittle and any abuse could cause them to shatter!!

We used the shed for 12 years, cleaned it out with a transport box once a year and never had an issue with it. When we cut our sheep numbers 3 years ago, we sold the timber slats for more than it had cost to make them and they were in top condition. They are still in use and have a lot of lify left in them.

Its important that people consider all the options that are out there!!

Vandy West

roosky wrote: »

well ye are on the right tracks lads

i worked in a place with all 3 types by far the best was the plastic...

apart from the cost they were far superior ...the truly lifetime job as the mesh ones will rust and corrode with time and don't let down the likes of cleanings or that

the mesh is next....looks great new but when its older it gets well shook

i dont like the timber slat but if ya got them cheap!!

another option if your a mixed farmer is a multipurpose slat for sheep and cattle....just leave ya more options

now my question i want to convert a shed from concrete floor to sheep slats i have my own digger and will be able to do alot of the work my self probably will block the tank......4ft or 6ft deep
its a 10x36 ft so what would be tThe big costs and what would it roughly cost

thanks

You could run into problems trying to build the tank within an existing shed, unless for some reason the strip footing under the external walls are at a lower depth than normal. if the tank is to be lower than the existing strip footing you would need to keep 1 foot away from the footing edge for every foot below the footing you go.

howa .223

reilig wrote: »

Those of you talking about putting new tanks into existing sheds are looking at a lot of money which may never be recouped. How many sheep do you keep and what sort of profit are you turning to justify such an investment?

15 years ago we kept 120 ewes and we converted an old style 3 bay hayshed to a raised slatted shed using timber slats. It cost just over 5000 pounds. We built a tank and diverted all liquid flow form the shed to the tank, used wooden slats which were made from wood sawed from high voltage esb line poles and made into 4ft x 8ft panels. The panels were raised 2ft from the concrete floor. We research a lot of slats and had an option of buying second hand plastic slats at the time. Chose the timber mainly because of the comfort and the grip on them for the sheep. But also when we looked at the second hand plastic slats, we noticed that the plastic in them had become brittle and any abuse could cause them to shatter!!

We used the shed for 12 years, cleaned it out with a transport box once a year and never had an issue with it. When we cut our sheep numbers 3 years ago, we sold the timber slats for more than it had cost to make them and they were in top condition. They are still in use and have a lot of lify left in them.

Its important that people consider all the options that are out there!!

we done exact same and must be over ten years down off concrete floor 2ft and gets cleaned every year
have a walk way all around which also doudles as a crush and feeder
plus if your handy you could make your own not a massive job if youv time

kboc

reilig wrote: »

Those of you talking about putting new tanks into existing sheds are looking at a lot of money which may never be recouped. How many sheep do you keep and what sort of profit are you turning to justify such an investment?

15 years ago we kept 120 ewes and we converted an old style 3 bay hayshed to a raised slatted shed using timber slats. It cost just over 5000 pounds. We built a tank and diverted all liquid flow form the shed to the tank, used wooden slats which were made from wood sawed from high voltage esb line poles and made into 4ft x 8ft panels. The panels were raised 2ft from the concrete floor. We research a lot of slats and had an option of buying second hand plastic slats at the time. Chose the timber mainly because of the comfort and the grip on them for the sheep. But also when we looked at the second hand plastic slats, we noticed that the plastic in them had become brittle and any abuse could cause them to shatter!!

We used the shed for 12 years, cleaned it out with a transport box once a year and never had an issue with it. When we cut our sheep numbers 3 years ago, we sold the timber slats for more than it had cost to make them and they were in top condition. They are still in use and have a lot of lify left in them.

Its important that people consider all the options that are out there!!

Surely if you are starting a shed from scratch it would be similar costs as above to dig out a tank 4/5 ft deep and build with block and then put shed up?

johngalway

reilig wrote: »

We used the shed for 12 years, cleaned it out with a transport box once a year and never had an issue with it.

Interesting (for me anyway) you say you could clean out the tank (for want of a better word?) with the transport box. I've no knowledge of slatted houses, it's all straw based around here as the land isn't as trafficable as in other parts of the country which would make slurry spreading pretty much impossible.

What's the consistency of the end product below the slats and how did ye go about spreading it?

The only slatted sheep shed I was in was a Teagasc one but it had been all cleaned out at the time and I hadn't thought of asking, closed now and back in private hands I believe.

howa .223

think thats with a raised deck john not a tank. the tanks is outside for liquid waste only:)
also in relation too a tank vs raised slats the shed can be undone in time and returned too original

OisinOD

Im only starting off. Dont have much money. Seeing alot of galvanised mesh slats in my area in the past year . the pre made ordered floors are 8 foot by 4 foot ontop of treated 5 by 2 inch treated timber and galvanised nails. . 55 pounds sterling in fermanagh . free delivery if ya get enough of them . thats 32sq foot or enuf "reccommended" space for 3 sheep housed on slats for winter. 70 euro for 3 sheep to be high and dry. 23 euro a sheep per slat. 0 maintenance. The plastic ones are supposed to be very slippy and just plain annoying and dangerous ( iv heard but open to opinion??) surely if anything is looked after it will last a minium of 10 years ???? 2.30 euro a sheep a year housed for 1 week or 1 year .. or in last years prices only half a bale of straw ????. .. . they seem pretty fool proof to me but again im only starting off ..am i wrong? iv seen these slats put into existing sheep sheds wit concrete floors. Apparently if the mesh is 17inches off the concrete floor. ie 2 6 inch blocks on flat and 5 inch timber of slat they should only have to be emptied every 2 years if only housing for winter ....... .id like info on other options other than galv mesh slats if anyone has it ?. .

case5130

Well just wondering has anyone any more information on mesh vs timber slats

Op what did you go with in the end , how did they work out

OisinOD

I went with Expanded metal galvanised sheep slats . 34 euro per 8 by 4 sheet 3 years ago . Find them very good value for money . Can lamb single sheep on them ( Aslong as you clean the cleanings) also have this years lambs housed in for the winter feeding hay . You cannot feed hay directly onto slats they will block up . I have half the shed on slats and half concrete with hay bales left far end of concrete floor so any hay pulled out falls on concrete and not onto slat . This is the only problem i thought ?

tomwaterford

OisinOD wrote: »

I went with Expanded metal galvanised sheep slats . 34 euro per 8 by 4 sheet 3 years ago . Find them very good value for money . Can lamb single sheep on them ( Aslong as you clean the cleanings) also have this years lambs housed in for the winter feeding hay . You cannot feed hay directly onto slats they will block up . I have half the shed on slats and half concrete with hay bales left far end of concrete floor so any hay pulled out falls on concrete and not onto slat . This is the only problem i thought ?

How do you clean out/agitate the tank?

Ashill5

What would your opinion on putting down galvanised mesh down on top of Cattle cubicles.

OisinOD

tomwaterford wrote: »

How do you clean out/agitate the tank?

I have them in a concrete floored shed . I remove the slats in spring and use shed in summer time after i have dung cleaned out with transport box on tractor . or mini digger if you had one and spread it straight on the land .

OisinOD

Ashill5 wrote: »

What would your opinion on putting down galvanised mesh down on top of Cattle cubicles.

A slatted cubicle or solid concrete floor ?

A friend of mine has a cattle slatted shed converted for sheep . He just covered the concrete slats with wind breaker mesh and 4 inches of sand . Works very well. Feeds hay so doesnt need to bed the sand with straw .

case5130

OisinOD wrote: »

I went with Expanded metal galvanised sheep slats . 34 euro per 8 by 4 sheet 3 years ago . Find them very good value for money . Can lamb single sheep on them ( Aslong as you clean the cleanings) also have this years lambs housed in for the winter feeding hay . You cannot feed hay directly onto slats they will block up . I have half the shed on slats and half concrete with hay bales left far end of concrete floor so any hay pulled out falls on concrete and not onto slat . This is the only problem i thought ?

Priced the mesh today there now 70+vat so u got a great deal .went with all timber because of price