Help with yard layout

frithsosialta

Hi, looking for a bit of advice here. The yard we have is fairly badly laid out. We don't have a proper pen to draft and load sheep (have about 60 at the moment) or cattle (would only expect to have 10-15 at any stage in the future, none now). We also might put a sheep shed up at some point in the future. I have attached links to a google maps image of the yard (not great). The grey square is an old hayshed that probably will be torn down. The large trees near the middle have been removed since. Thanks for any help.

Overhead:
http s://imgur.com/mdEkRY5

Sketch:
http s://imgur.com/2sJGPVn

Edit: Gap in URL in https as as a new user I can't post URLs.

carrollsno1

frithsosialta wrote: »

Hi, looking for a bit of advice here. The yard we have is fairly badly laid out. We don't have a proper pen to draft and load sheep (have about 60 at the moment) or cattle (would only expect to have 10-15 at any stage in the future, none now). We also might put a sheep shed up at some point in the future. I have attached links to a google maps image of the yard (not great). The grey square is an old hayshed that probably will be torn down. The large trees near the middle have been removed since. Thanks for any help.

Overhead:
http s://imgur.com/mdEkRY5

Sketch:
http s://imgur.com/2sJGPVn

Edit: Gap in URL in https as as a new user I can't post URLs.

Didnt get a good look at the links but would a greenfield site be an option? Id be slow to knock any shed as they always come in handy for something.

frithsosialta

carrollsno1 wrote: »

Didnt get a good look at the links but would a greenfield site be an option? Id be slow to knock any shed as they always come in handy for something.

I think if possible we'd be trying to keep the yard in the same place. Ah the hayshed is only a few wooden beams with a galvanise roof, no sides in it or anything, only in the way really

Water John

Won't design as I'm not familiar with sheep, but as Carroll says try and hold onto any solid building and work around it. The outside walls can the the side of a pen. Even if smallish, it can be used as an isolation pen.

frithsosialta

Water John wrote: »

Won't design as I'm not familiar with sheep, but as Carroll says try and hold onto any solid building and work around it. The outside walls can the the side of a pen. Even if smallish, it can be used as an isolation pen.

I see what you're saying. This shed isn't even on concrete, just clay, so it's just four old wooden posts stuck in the ground holding up a few sheets of galvanise, it's dangerous at this stage.

Water John

In effect, a greenfield site. Would one A roofed shed that literally covers all your needs be a starting point?

frithsosialta

Water John wrote: »

In effect, a greenfield site. Would one A roofed shed that literally covers all your needs be a starting point?

At the moment I think an outside handling/loading area would be more what I'm looking at (keep costs to a minimum really), mentioned the potential shed to maybe construct the pen with an idea of how the shed could be made adjacent say.

longgonesilver

But not a greenfield site either. Possibly much easier to get planning, if it's needed, to extend an existing farmyard. There are a !ot of extra regulations to comply with on a greenfield site.

Water John

Oh yes that's true. Just in terms of design it's starting from scratch.
There was a very good article and drawing of a cattle handling layout n the IFJ 30/05/20.
Here's a similar sheep layout:
https://www.tannertrading.co.uk/handling-race/alligator-basic-system/

older by the day

I got a man from teagasc who specializes in farmers layout, when I built my last slatted house, great job. He spared me a lot of money and a lot of yard scrapeing.. When I look back at what I was going to do, it was a disaster. He laid it out nice and compact, not walking miles with buckets and not having a big ****ty yard. Get someone who knows to call out and see your set up. It could save a lot in the long run. You might get info on tams schemes, pollution control, and cost before starting

Water John

Here is the Teagasc book on Sheep handling layout:
https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2020/A-Guide-to-Designing-a-Sheep-Handling-Unit.pdf

Enjoy your late night reading.

frithsosialta

Water John wrote: »

Here is the Teagasc book on Sheep handling layout:


Enjoy your late night reading.

Thanks for that Water John

ganmo

Designing a sheep handling facilities have a few things that you have to keep in mind.
1. It should be able to hold your biggest flock of sheep, ewe with lambs before weaning.
2. Either put in a race or a working pen ie one that can hold 10 or so sheep and ideally has 2 pens to work as drafting and holding pens.
3. triangles are your friend.