Poly-tunnel low cost solution?
Poly-tunnel low cost solution?
POLYTHENE tunnels costing as little as £1200 could provide winter accommodation for sheep breeding stock which would otherwise have to be slaughtered at a fraction of their true value.
A 10m (33ft) elliptical shaped polythene tunnel costs £1182 from Sussex-based Polybuild and will house 58 ewes. The same shape 58m (190ft) version will accommodate 360 ewes and costs £3931.
Straight-sided polythene tunnels from Polybuild start at £1986 for an 18m (59ft) building to house 104 ewes, increasing to £4750 for the 60m (197ft) house.
Northern Polytunnels from Colne, Lancs, says producers considering this type of sheep house should ask manufacturers about the life-span of the building. Polythene strengths vary in durability and price, but most manufacturers guarantee a four to five season life-span. *