The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Hilton on May 11, 2015, 09:10:58 am
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Morning, I watched an Adam Henson segment on countryfile a few months ago where he was using sheep hurdles that could quickly be pulled (like on wheels) to enclose a flock of sheep as they were being pushed along a fenceline. At the moment I only have interlocking hurdles and keep losing sheep as I try and piece it all together. I need a fast moving solution that I can "sweep" the sheep up into. (I don't have a dog, just quads)
Does anyone remember the system shown on the program or has anyone got one and had experience using it?
A frustrated sheep herder!
Matt
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Adam has a couple of pratley sheep handling systems ,I suspect this is what your after.a dogs a lot cheaper though !
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...and a bucket's cheaper than a dog ;-)
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Always thought that if I had unlimited cash I'd put a fenced corner in every field and get the sheep used to going in there for feed. Even with a dog you often get a bright spark or two that hares off down the filed
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Prattley, Rappa, Alligator - they are make lightweight alloy hurdles that link together and you can drag them around.
I've just ordered myself a wee set from Rappa - expecting to get them this week, can't wait!! :excited:
They are very expensive mind. Very. I'm only getting some because I need to be able to move my handling system around to different locations now.
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Rappa, Prattely or Scotpen.
Alligator are crap.
But to be fair, if anyone gets one for 100 sheep or less, then they have too much money!
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I have a race built out of pallets in every field, along the fenceline, holding pen that funnels along to a narrow end. l use 2 normal hurdles at the end then close them over once the sheep are inside. One small hurdle at the narrow end that they can see through.
We also have a canny ewe that just gets to the edge of the race then turns :roflanim: thats when OH starts ranting hes going to get his gun ! Bucket works for some not all for us.
I feed them through the winter in the race and they use it as shelter too, at the moment as an itching post ,
Multi purpose ! Can jag from other side of the fence, just the right height :thumbsup:
Cheap as chips, put on end and bang a round post(cheaper than stabs) through the centre, screw overlapped ends together. Sorted :sheep:
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I can vouch for the scotpen and polden vale systems as I have both...they don't lose value either so are always resalable
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I'm not getting a full set, with the trailer and everything. I'm just getting a set of hurdles and some gates. Only able to justify the cost because I need something that I can move around in the back of my vehicle that is quick and easy to use. Also it will hold it's value, so it's an investment. My day job is paying for them, I certainly couldn't afford them otherwise.
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thanks all.
-bucket only effective for a few
-I have a handling area in the corner and try and drive them down the fence line but some always peel off and then wont come back within 500yards.
-ive been feeding them in the pen but last weekend also did all their vaccinations, tagging, feet etc so now they are all petrified of the area!
-ive already got 2 (non sheep) dogs, not getting another!
I may try the funnel option before committing to yet more kit!
Matt
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Does your field have a slope? If so, make sure your pen is at the top.
A funnel is the way to go. You can also use a long thick rope to help sweep them in - tie it to the end of your open pen. It's not a physical barrier, but it can be enough of a deterrent to keep them moving in the direction you need.
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I use a funnel made of pallets works on all but one of my ewes
She is now marked for removal from the flock,
am looking to replace in basic hurdles this year as they will be easier to move between fields
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I have a very small small holding and little cash . pallets work just fine for me :wave:
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We just have crazy bucket led sheep that will do anything for a bucket of nuts, all stuff happens on the yard so we just use normal hurdles and sweep them round.
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I put a hurdle pen round the other side of the gate then leave the gate wedged half open.
Works every time for me cause the think they are escaping 8)
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:wave: i was using a pratley today on some sheep i shepherd costs £30 a day from the machinery ring . if i cant get it its an algo which is made of steel .pretty back breaking compared to the pratley . they both work well .they are both expensive they do hold there money well, problem is it a lot of money :o . my own semi portable system is 8ft pinned hurdles a guillotine gate and a shedder . works well but again heavy .
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Lovely bits of kit, but I just can't justify them at the moment. . . . need to just about double the flock to make it worth while lol.
Until then, I use an adapted stock trailer, 7.5 foot long, by 4.5 foot wide, with angle iron holders welded to the side, which take half a dozen drop pin hurdles both sides, and various bits and bobs and the quad inside, the back can be dropped, and the weigh crate can go inside, so I just need to fit a drop gate the other end, and should be able to run the sheep through the trailer effectively.
Still want a scotpen lol.