What width sheep race

[highlander94]

Going to build my first working sheep race for dosing/jagging footbathing ect , looking at what width of race , 2ft or 3 ft ? , some of my ewes have a tendency to put there head down when getting worked on so looking to be inside the race when dosing ect

Thanks

 

[AftonShepherd]

Going to build my first working sheep race for dosing/jagging footbathing ect , looking at what width of race , 2ft or 3 ft ? , some of my ewes have a tendency to put there head down when getting worked on so looking to be inside the race when dosing ect

Thanks

I have it in my head that someone once recommended 32" for cross ewes or 28" for hill ewes for dosing inside, but not 100% sure. Ours here are nearer 3 feet to suit an old alley between stone dykes and it's almost too wide if the ewes are flighty.

 

[Ffermer Bach]

why not build two races next to each other, one for getting in with the ewes to dose them, the other for running through to draft.

 

[highlander94]

Thanks guys, it's to run along side a shed so only space for 1 race, I have plenty of sheep hurdles with pins so was thinking of drilling the concrete for the gate pins to fit into securing the gates in line, just wasn't sure the width and if the ewes would run down it easily, most I've seen are sheeted races

 

[David.]

Just wide enough so that a sheep can't turn in there.
Good shout on making it adjustable, nice to jab lambs in a race just wide enough so you can keep them up with your knees, but still have room to release the ones you have done behind you.

 

[TelesnaAg]

I made adjustable cattle race, and when building sheep yards ill be doing the same...it is king.

Ant...

 

[Tomo23]

Just for reference, the alloy yard use an 18" race for outside work and a 33" race for working in.

 

[Tomo23]

Thanks guys, it's to run along side a shed so only space for 1 race, I have plenty of sheep hurdles with pins so was thinking of drilling the concrete for the gate pins to fit into securing the gates in line, just wasn't sure the width and if the ewes would run down it easily, most I've seen are sheeted races

Depending how flighty your sheep are I'd be worried about broken legs and ripped ears and tags with using bar hurdles for a race.

 

[Moors Lad]

Is it possible for you to arrange a temporary trial "race" with some gates down the side of a shed and have a trial run. 2 here, ones a bit too wide and t`other a bit narrow but both work very well for dosing, pour-on, etc.... Might depend on the breed/type of sheep. Guessing between 2 to 3 ft will be right, but nearer 3 ft!

 

[Macsky]

What breed/weight of ewe will you be working with? And will you be dosing lambs in the same race?

 

[Hill Ground]

Thanks guys, it's to run along side a shed so only space for 1 race, I have plenty of sheep hurdles with pins so was thinking of drilling the concrete for the gate pins to fit into securing the gates in line, just wasn't sure the width and if the ewes would run down it easily, most I've seen are sheeted races

As above, 30inches ish is about right.

In terms of making them run sheeting the sides and making it tall enough they can't easily see over will make more if a difference than width

 

[Y Fan Wen]

When I set out to modernise the home farm facilities I started off with a Bateman drafting race, 2 sections long (16'). Beside that I put a handling pen, same length and 3' wide. That allows me to do everything I want.
If you are going to drill concrete, you could experiment with different widths.

Standard Sheep Handling Starter Race - LM Bateman

Standard Sheep Handling Starter Race comprising of 4 x 2400mm sheeted hurdles 1 x 500mm guillotine gate 1 x drafting gate 1 x joining frame 6 x coupling rods This is the perfect starter unit to build from and is quick and easy to set up.

lmbateman.co.uk

 

[Wood field]

When I set out to modernise the home farm facilities I started off with a Bateman handling race, 2 sections long (16'). Beside that I put a handling pen, same length and 3' wide. That allows me to do everything I want.
If you are going to drill concrete, you could experiment with different widths.

Standard Sheep Handling Starter Race - LM Bateman

Standard Sheep Handling Starter Race comprising of 4 x 2400mm sheeted hurdles 1 x 500mm guillotine gate 1 x drafting gate 1 x joining frame 6 x coupling rods This is the perfect starter unit to build from and is quick and easy to set up.

lmbateman.co.uk

That’s what I am building in our yard if I ever get to it also have dip tank in the system
Standard Bateman race and a 3’ working race along side

 

[unlacedgecko]

Best I've seen is a V shaped race, a combi clamp and a kelpie

None of it was mine unfortunately.

 

[ladycrofter]

Ours is the width of the guillotine gate. They could still manage to twist about, so we tipped the race panel bottoms In one hole. So wider at body but narrowed at feet. It seems to have stopped bad behaviour.

 

[highlander94]

What breed/weight of ewe will you be working with? And will you be dosing lambs in the same race?

Will be Cheviot, average 60kg weight, lambs I will do in a pen separate, easier to lift them over after than a ewe , just looking at making things easier for myself

 

[highlander94]

Depending how flighty your sheep are I'd be worried about broken legs and ripped ears and tags with using bar hurdles for a race.

Never thought about that mate thanks

 

[Macsky]

Will be Cheviot, average 60kg weight, lambs I will do in a pen separate, easier to lift them over after than a ewe , just looking at making things easier for myself

I work with similar in a 3’ race and would say it’s slightly larger than ideal, I think an earlier suggestion of 30” would be better.

 

[highlander94]

Thanks everyone, was hoping to use the sheep hurdles I had but as @Tomo23 said about what could happen I'm thinking maybe not, posts and rails might be a better idea and some homemade gates at the ends , don't want to spend a fortune on it, looking about 10m race length.

 

[highlander94]

Thanks everyone, was hoping to use the sheep hurdles I had but as @Tomo23 said about what could happen I'm thinking maybe not, posts and rails might be a better idea and some homemade gates at the ends , don't want to spend a fortune on it, looking about 10m race length.

Unless I can think of anything to sheet the hurdles with