Sheep enterprises are regularly perceived as being highly demanding on labour. There are major differences in how this plays out at farm level, however, with factors such as farm layout, land fragmentation, farm infrastructure and even breed type and farming system all having an influence on the volume of labour required.

A good handling unit can also deliver major labour savings. Research has shown that a good unit can reduce the hours worked with sheep by 18% or 1.28 hours per ewe per year. In a 100-ewe flock, this amounts to a sizeable time frame of 16 days less work per year.

Sheep handling guide

These statistics were used to demonstrate the advantages of a good handling unit in a recently launched guide compiled by Teagasc business and technology adviser Edward Egan. The guide covers both new builds and upgrading of existing facilities.

Existing sheds can reduce the cost of erecting handling areas while those with slatted floors help keep sheep clean and cut down on cleaning.

Edward says that as well as improving efficiency and reducing time spent working with sheep, a good handling unit can make a huge difference to the health of the operator by reducing muscle strain and injuries linked with intense repetitive handling practices or poor handling techniques. Additionally, a good handling unit that is easy to use will encourage the timely completion of tasks and help encourage preventative practices.

Starting point

Edward says there are three key discussion areas that should be considered for a good design – the handler, the sheep and the handling unit. All of these are expanded upon in Figure 1, which details important headings to be considered. The more of these factors that are satisfied, the better the outcome will be.

The guide focuses on taking the necessary time to explore and investigate what features you require in your unit and to think how these features will work in your situation. According to the guide, the best way of getting ideas is by visiting at least three handling units. The units do not necessarily need to replicate exactly what you are thinking of building, as different units will provide novel ideas which may work better.

It is worthwhile taking notes and dimensions of aspects you want to replicate

The important aspect is that the unit is in use during the visit so that you can see how the sheep and handler react with the unit. Units that work with a sheep’s natural behaviour and promote free movement will avoid difficulties in getting sheep to move through the unit and reduce the workload on the handler.

It is worthwhile taking notes and dimensions of aspects you want to replicate while photos or videos will allow certain aspects to be viewed again when sitting down and reviewing the unit. All the aspects that you desire in a unit should be written down on paper and each assessed on how well the unit you are thinking of building will facilitate them.

Cost is obviously a factor in planning but Edward says that investing in good materials and not cutting corners will provide long-term benefits in enhancing longevity and providing a nicer environment in which to work.

The footbath should be at least 200mm deep to allow sheep to stand in a solution of at least 5cm and provide an option of a deeper solution.

Health and safety is often an afterthought when planning a unit but it is much easier to address concerns at the outset. There is greater scrutiny building around environmental concerns such as soiled water and disposing of spent sheep dip or footbath solution and as such it is prudent to have a control plan in place at the outset.

Location of the unit

Another critical aspect to consider when planning out the unit is where it is going to be located.

This is generally not an issue with greenfield sites but where the unit is to be combined with existing sheds that will be used as collecting pens, for example, it can have a significant implications for how the unit is designed.

Edward advises that making use of existing facilities can significantly reduce costs, but they should only be exploited where it does not compromise the unit’s design, access and ease of use.

Where the unit is being erected in tandem with existing yards or sheds then the movement of sheep is a critical aspect to consider

The site selected must encourage regular use. For example, if the yard is away from the main grazing area and significant work is involved in getting sheep to the unit before management practices start, then there will be a lower appetite to handle sheep.

Where the unit is being erected in tandem with existing yards or sheds then the movement of sheep is a critical aspect to consider. Ideally the layout will allow sheep to recirculate for sorting/shedding.

Natural light should be promoted where at all possible

If a handling unit adjacent to existing sheds is being roofed then it may be possible to utilise existing stanchions but take care to check that these are of sufficient strength and condition to support the new roof area.

Natural light should be promoted where at all possible, with the ideal in roofed units to have them open on three sides.

Greenfield site

Where installing a new unit in a grazing area, it is preferable to locate centrally so that it can service the maximum number of paddocks and reduce the distance that sheep have to travel. This is portrayed in Figure 2. A long paddock doubles up as a holding area and is a good idea where large numbers are being handled.

Access by vehicles is important for regular tasks such as weighing and drafting lambs for slaughter. Locating the unit next to one side of a central access roadway will avoid access from being impeded where animals are transported to or from the unit via the roadway. This may also influence what way the unit is faced and where loading facilities are placed.

Teagasc head of sheep Michael Gottestin, Teagasc adviser and guide author Edward Egan and Prof Frank O Mara, Teagasc. \ Dylan Vaughan

Access to amenities such as a water supply for filling footbaths, dipping tubs or general cleaning should be considered. Where the aim is to carry out shearing at the unit then locating next to a power supply may be necessary. Edward says this is why it is so important to write down all the aspects you desire from the unit at the outset.

Key advice

The guide gives detailed advice on specific aspects of handling units including collecting yards, drafting/forcing pens, footbath and dip tub design, roadways, boundary fencing and useful aids such as dosing lines, pulleys, levers and gate latches that improve efficiency. Some key points relating to these are summarised below.

  • Collecting pens: Collecting pens should be sized to at least provide capacity for the group size handled most frequently. Allow 0.5m2 for lowland ewes and 0.65m2 for lowland ewes with lambs. Long narrow pens are easier for one person to drive sheep forward into a forcing pen. The pen width should ideally be 3.0m where one person will be handling sheep. The width should not exceed 4.65m. The entry gate to the collecting pen should be at least 3.05m, increasing to 4.57m where flocks of 150 or more sheep are being handled.
  • Forcing pen: The forcing pen should ideally hold 20% of the collected flock allowing 0.35m2 per lowland ewe without lambs. A 3.6m diameter circular pen (holds 30 ewes) is recommended for flock sizes of up to 150 ewes and a 4.88m diameter (holds 50 ewes) is recommended for larger flocks.
  • Drafting race: A drafting race should be built to suit your needs. The space allowance is again 0.35m2 per lowland ewe whereby a 6m long by 0.5m wide race holds eight unshorn ewes. A straight sided race should measure 450mm to 500mm in width while a V-shaped race should be 500mm wide at the top and 280mm wide at the bottom. The minimum race length is recommended at 6m and a height of 825mm to 850mm when handling sheep from outside the race.
  • Boundary fences: External fences should be at least 1.2m high for sheep and 1.4m high where sheep or cattle are being handled. Internal fences for sheep should be at least 1m high. Open-sided boundaries or gates can be used to entice sheep forward while closed or solid sides can block out distractions.
  • Footbath: Edward is a big advocate of batch footbaths for flocks. The recommended space allowance is 0.4m2 per lowland ewe without lambs and possess a capacity at least equal to the race. The bath should be easy to fill and drain with sides of at least 200mm in depth. The minimum height of solution is 5cm, with some producers preferring sheep standing in 7cm to 8cm of solution.

    • Read more online

  • The booklet A Guide to Designing a Sheep Handling Unit can be viewed and downloaded from www.teagasc.ie. It is a great aid for any producer thinking of investing in a new unit or looking to make changes to their existing facilities.