Sorting sheep - race length.

[PhilipB]

If you are simply drafting sheep from lambs would you set up a long race, or a short one?

 

[Guleesh]

What's most important isn't the length of the race but how far from the start or end of the race the shedding gate is. In general I'd say shorter as they don't run so well with lambs at foot.

 

[shearerlad]

Sorry I’m not answering your question as I have wondered this too.
What does help sheep flow is if they have a clear interrupted view of the exit of the race, ideally they think that it’s an escape route.

 

[Macsky]

I think the best set up is when the shedder gates are installed half way along the race, so that anything not being pulled out still has a way to go, giving the ones yet to be shed behind it more of a chance to see a sheep still in the race, and therefor more inclined to keep running- that make sense?

Also make the entrance to the race in a corner, sheep love a corner.

 

[Al R]

My static yard has a 30’ long footbath after the drafting gate (which goes around a corner into the weigh crate and up to the combi clamp into other pens if need be)
By having the long footbath the ones behind see the forward ones running and keep following...... mostly

 

[PhilipB]

I think the best set up is when the shedder gates are installed half way along the race, so that anything not being pulled out still has a way to go, giving the ones yet to be shed behind it more of a chance to see a sheep still in the race, and therefor more inclined to keep running- that make sense?

Also make the entrance to the race in a corner, sheep love a corner.

Interesting thanks.

I've only ever used a two way drafting gate at the end of a race.

I'm going for a one poldendale gate length race, on the principle that if they refuse to flow then it's quite easy for two people, one in the filling pen behind and one on the drafting gate, to keep it all moving. (it's for shearing, I'm trying to rethink the layout)

But, in principle, I wonder if, if you are relying on natural flow, then the longer the race the less chance of the keen sheep ahead getting out the other end before the hesitant sheep behind has summoned up the courage to follow her in.

 

[Macsky]

Interesting thanks.

I've only ever used a two way drafting gate at the end of a race.

I'm going for a one poldendale gate length race, on the principle that if they refuse to flow then it's quite easy for two people, one in the filling pen behind and one on the drafting gate, to keep it all moving. (it's for shearing, I'm trying to rethink the layout)

But, in principle, I wonder if, if you are relying on natural flow, then the longer the race the less chance of the keen sheep ahead getting out the other end before the hesitant sheep behind has summoned up the courage to follow her in.

I’ve use both and much much prefer shedders mid-race, if you’re working on the side of the race you can nip down and hurry a sticky ewe up, or maybe get ahead of a missed one and catch it or close it in if you have a gate on the end of the race, also the option of puting a two way shedder on the end to increase options.