Hi guys , its my first post so go easy on me.

As it stands we have been asked to remove our old sheep pens that are situated next to a river. The pens are a little tired but in good working order, the "powers that be" would like to see us remove the pens and relocate them a few fields away to reduce the pollution levels ect. There was a dipper but i filled it in in the early 90's.

The pens were built in the 70's so have done well. The hogging base is now so clogged with muck there's no drainage on site so this can add to foot troubles. I have modified the system over time from the basic set up is: A sorting pen to footbath to dosing race- thats what I had to work with when I began. Foot bath is now way away at the end of the dosing race inproving working conditions for me, bloody formalin!!!  and I have also added a few shedding gates to the side race allowing a 3 way shed if needed

I also supersized the dosing race from 12 lambs to 50 at a time. (Don't worry it has a backing gate so the sheep I drench first can escape and not get crushed). This race can be used for checking ewe condition and udder and is great for tagging lambs. This has been a sucessfull add on to the old system and signifcantly increased production.

I'm looking at applying a grant for steel on the main working area of the pens with a concrete base and  wooden holding pens with soil/gravel around the outside. Before committing to my plans.

I wondered if anyone had any ideas that could help me get the best set up possible ? I might post a picture of the set up if anyone can tell me how cheers         

the seeker:

I'm looking at applying a grant

From where ?

the seeker:

I wondered if anyone had any ideas that could help me get the best set up possible ?

If you're happy with your current set-up then build the new one to the same design.. You're used to it and so are the sheep.

tell the powers that be to pay for the new pens or take a hike!

the seeker:

Foot bath is now way away at the end of the dosing race inproving working conditions for me, bloody formalin!!! 

Why are you still using formalin?

I like to be able to work both sides of the race as it is handy sometimes to have someone else holding the lambs head whilst ear decoration is applied.

We had non-return gates, now abandoned, we had a turnover crate and a dip both also now abandoned, we often actually use some nearby pens to dose the lambs in groups rather than the race as the lambs don't get trampled when they are small. We also use our pig hydraulic lift trailer with a head yoke in one corner for crutching, saves a lot of backache.

As WnW says if you are happy with what you have got build one like it. They won't stump up for a nice clear span building over the top will they?

 To past a pic.

 Click options above, then add/update and then  browse to find a nice one on your hard-drive

Shout if you need more help 

 

If you only need one set of sheep yards to service all your your sheep easily, one permanent set seems fine.   However if you have sheep to be gathered a long way from the yard or  you have sheep on other farms, a prattley sheep handling system is a fantastic piece of kit.  We have a good set of yards at the main farm but it is much easier to set the prattley up and drench young lambs in the corner of a field.  We have finished by the time we would have got them up to the farm buildings.

There is an American lady who seems to be a bit of a guru where handling systems are involved.I cant remember her name but I have learned a lot from her work.The design of your handling pens will depend an awful lot on whether youre operating a "we" or "me" system.

Peesie, is it Temple Grandin you are thinking of? she is autistic and has an amazing rapport with animals, and an advanced mechanical design ability.

I think thats her.Well worth looking at her work before designing a handling system.Better to be delighted with a new design than happy with an old design.And I guess if the OP thought his current system was beyond improvement,he wouldnt be seeking advice on here.