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Author Topic: field shelter  (Read 9796 times)

Bionic

  • Joined Dec 2010
  • Talley, Carmarthenshire
field shelter
« on: November 17, 2012, 09:22:12 am »
Do sheep need a field shelter.  I don't think that they do but OH seems to want to make one for them so who am I to complain.
I only have 5 sheep and hopefully a few lambs in th spring, any idea of what size to make and how to do it?
It doesn't need to be for lambing because they will be in the stable for that.
thanks
Sally
 
Life is like a bowl of cherries, mostly yummy but some dodgy bits

Victorian Farmer

  • Guest
Re: field shelter
« Reply #1 on: November 17, 2012, 10:51:08 am »
its good to have a corner with some think tin sheets a few bales .In the top field i have a make shift corner .you dont need it but they will love it allways feed there .The sleet is the thing they hate and if they can shelter its good.

Bionic

  • Joined Dec 2010
  • Talley, Carmarthenshire
Re: field shelter
« Reply #2 on: November 17, 2012, 11:02:22 am »
Thanks VF
Sally
Life is like a bowl of cherries, mostly yummy but some dodgy bits

Fleecewife

  • Joined May 2010
  • South Lanarkshire
    • ScotHebs
Re: field shelter
« Reply #3 on: November 17, 2012, 12:16:20 pm »
We have shelters for our primitives.  Part of their survival strategy is to know when to seek shelter, and they certainly do so in heavy rain or sleet as VF says.  They don't stay in the shelters the rest of the time and love to be out on hard-packed snow, in the wind or summer sunshine. The shelters give them an option and they are savvy enough to know when to use them.
Look on our website for some examples.
"Let's not talk about what we can do, but do what we can"

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Backinwellies

  • Global Moderator
  • Joined Sep 2012
  • Llandeilo Carmarthenshire
    • Nantygroes
    • Facebook
Re: field shelter
« Reply #4 on: November 17, 2012, 01:30:39 pm »
Depends on whether there is anywhere for them to shelter in the field from bad weather eg trees or hedges .... they will always find the best spot.
Linda

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Bionic

  • Joined Dec 2010
  • Talley, Carmarthenshire
Re: field shelter
« Reply #5 on: November 17, 2012, 01:35:01 pm »
Thanks Fleecewife. We have looked at your website and it has given us some good ideas.
Sally
Life is like a bowl of cherries, mostly yummy but some dodgy bits

fifixx

  • Joined Mar 2010
  • Shillingstone, Dorset
    • Bere Marsh Farm
Re: field shelter
« Reply #6 on: November 17, 2012, 04:11:27 pm »
Fleecewife - what amazing animals!  love what you do, looks fantastic!

Fleecewife

  • Joined May 2010
  • South Lanarkshire
    • ScotHebs
Re: field shelter
« Reply #7 on: November 17, 2012, 04:37:15 pm »
Thank you :)    We love it.
"Let's not talk about what we can do, but do what we can"

There is NO planet B - what are YOU doing to save our home?

Do something today that your future self will thank you for - plant a tree

 Love your soil - it's the lifeblood of your land.

jaykay

  • Joined Aug 2012
  • Cumbria/N Yorks border
Re: field shelter
« Reply #8 on: November 17, 2012, 05:44:56 pm »
I have pallet and tin shelters in most of my fields - one still to make.
They certainly use them in heavy rain and sleet - especially the lambs.

SteveHants

  • Joined Aug 2011
Re: field shelter
« Reply #9 on: November 17, 2012, 05:47:46 pm »
I dont use them and wouldn't unless the fields were devoid of hedges, trees etc.


The problem with shelters is that they all get in them, cram together and then you get the same disease risk you would from housing sheep.

jaykay

  • Joined Aug 2012
  • Cumbria/N Yorks border
Re: field shelter
« Reply #10 on: November 17, 2012, 05:50:34 pm »
Mine are just three sided pallets, open at the front, about a metre from the wall. I've never had disease problems, they are far too well ventilated. It just keeps off the rain. Mind you, I do live somewhere with the same rainfall as Borrowdale, the wettest place in England  ::)

funkyfish

  • Joined Nov 2011
  • Devon
Re: field shelter
« Reply #11 on: November 17, 2012, 05:50:51 pm »
We had a large field shelter for our Fell pony, she never used it-even in the worst weather. Our two sheep used it all the time-wimps!
Old and rare breed Ducks, chickens, geese, sheep, guinea pigs, 3 dogs, 3 cats, husband and chicks brooding in the tv cabinate!

smee2012

  • Joined Sep 2012
Re: field shelter
« Reply #12 on: November 17, 2012, 09:38:58 pm »
We have a tiny flock of Zwartbles sheep and there is only really shelter on two sides of the field so we built a shelter for them. It's on sleds so can be moved about the field. We actually built it primarily for them to have somewhere to go for when it is really sunny but they seem to like it when the rain is tipping down too. It's probably way more than they need in terms of quality but the wind where we live is horrendous so it had to be heavy duty enough to not blow away. It's also high enough that the Welsh ponies we'll be getting next year will be able to use it if necessary too.

Here's a picture of ours...(edit to re-size)


« Last Edit: November 17, 2012, 11:26:46 pm by smee2012 »

jaykay

  • Joined Aug 2012
  • Cumbria/N Yorks border
Re: field shelter
« Reply #13 on: November 17, 2012, 10:49:23 pm »
Wow. Very smart!

Bionic

  • Joined Dec 2010
  • Talley, Carmarthenshire
Re: field shelter
« Reply #14 on: November 18, 2012, 08:00:38 am »
Thanks Smee. It looks very good.  I notice, like Fleecewife, you have spaces between the slats. Its something we wouldn't have thought off until we looked at the various pics.
OH wants to build something that straddles a fence so whichever field they are in they will still have access to the shelter.
thanks again
Sally
Life is like a bowl of cherries, mostly yummy but some dodgy bits

 

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