sheep handling

fanadman1

I am currently in the process of building my own sheep race and handling facility. I have the plan made up using an existing shed that is not much good for anything else because it is to warm to house sheep and to low to store machinery, the problem i am having is finding places to provide me with equipment. i was wondering if anybody knew of somewhere making up small sliding gates that could be used half way down the race and at the back so it could be operated from the outside of the race. it would also be helpful if someone could provide me with the length of a standard turnover crate. although i wont be putting in at this time i would like to leave it that a crate could be fitted with ease at a later date.

AnFeirmeoir

Go to the ploughing... they'll all be there

razor8

Cormac sheep equipment and th jenkinson in Armagh will give you lots of ideas. Both have websites

AntrimGlens

Try wh rea engineering website for ideas and layouts too.

Green farmer

I have cormac stuff myself, very good quality steel gates dipped ,gets used all the time. I saw other stuff on bbc programmes , were sheep gates that appear to be made from lighter metal , possibly aluminium, you could drag possibly 10 of them to close up gaps etc in a hurry. They may be another option , as they'd be easier on the back. I don't know who makes them though, but the seem to be popular in England.

razor8

Green farmer wrote: »

I have cormac stuff myself, very good quality steel gates dipped ,gets used all the time. I saw other stuff on bbc programmes , were sheep gates that appear to be made from lighter metal , possibly aluminium, you could drag possibly 10 of them to close up gaps etc in a hurry. They may be another option , as they'd be easier on the back. I don't know who makes them though, but the seem to be popular in England.

Made by prattley and very expensive but very good quality, not cost effective for a small farm IMO

ganmo

Watch a few videos of sheep moving in handling units to pick up a few tips.

Green farmer

razor8 wrote: »

Made by prattley and very expensive but very good quality, not cost effective for a small farm IMO

Thanks razor,

I knew they were probably good. An old neighbour of mine had a good saying when being able to spot quality products but unable to afford them. She said she had "champagne tastes and lemonade pockets"

rangler1

I buy all Cormac and I used to buy a bit every year, doesn't hurt as bad that way.
It seems to be well made, have bits that are 20yr old

sea12

Stanley in Laois also has very good. Can be pricey though

jd06

hi ,was thinking of putting up a race and pens too
do any of ye have a good set up that works well, and if so is there any chance of a few pics,
iv been watching them on you tube, but would be great to see the real thing

Farrell

sea12 wrote: »

Stanley in Laois also has very good. Can be pricey though

Joys of Stanley's is it can be bought over 3/4 years, & the final product is portable

Cattlepen

Have a prattley mobile unit but if I was putting in a permanent unit I would only look at IAE. It is best by a long shot and some really good simple ideas that really work. Performance steel sell them or th jenkinson. Tried to buy off cormac but found I couldn't deal with them.
Stanley stuff is ok but has a bit of a homemade finish to it

fanadman1

OK bit the bullet could not find any units to suit my set up. designed my own ran and drafting set up using 6 and 5 foot hurdles, using three foot hurdles for my race as it will leave a larger gap to draft sheep into my pens. had to get these made up by a local man. I will post photos when it is completely finished my reasoning for using 5 and 6 foot as my main gates is that it leaves it simple to change in the future as these are standred sizes for all equipment such as turnover crates and siding gates rather than swinging gates. will post when i get to run a few sheep threw it and use it for different tasks.