[ScotsGirl]

I am sure someone has mentioned having cameras set up to keep an eye on ewes at lambing time. Can anyone recommend a system which isn't too expensive? I have a power point for camera in the shed which is approx 25-30m from the house. I would like to access the info from my pc or iPad but not sure if it is possible.

[Hillview Farm]

I was looking at some really good cctv set ups on ebay. I found one that was £140 roughtly and it overed upto 60m away! I think when you click on the sheep forum at the top theres a link with cctv, give that a try!

[Hillview Farm]

http://agricamera.co.uk/calving-and-lambing-cameras/profarmer-wireless-camera-kit

[Tudful Tamworths]

Someone told me they went to Maplins, explained what they needed, and got a whole set up for about £50.

[ScotsGirl]

£50 sounds more like it. I don't really want to spend over £100. Will look at Maplins. There is so much on eBay but not really sure what I am looking for. Bound to buy something that doesn't do what I want.

[littlelugs]

we bought a wifi cam from ebay linked it up to the pc it has sound/night vision/2 way audio/ 360 degree rotation and comes with free software for recording etc. the best thing about it is that i can view the sheep from any pc even on my mobile! here's the link it was £30 all in!!!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Original-Tenvis-professional-wireless-security/dp/B006P7N2UC/ref=sr_1_2?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1358713169&sr=1-2
I can obviously only speak for myself but this i think it's brill!

[ScotsGirl]

Little lugs, did you use it for sheep I.e. was it some distance from the house? Most people seem to have bought as baby monitor and I can't see where it gives distance range.


Sounds good though so will give it a try once I hear back from you. Thanks

[littlelugs]

yeah its in the sheep shed... you can get a second router to bounce the wi-fi further if you need to increase the signal strength. or a wi-fi signal booster all the info can be found on google for increasing wi-fi range, we didnt need to our sheep shed is about 20m from the house... the only thing i find is it is addictive viewing when i should be sleeping i am lying in bed watching the girls on my phone!!!
The reason most people use as a baby monitor is because it is for interior use not external but inside a sheep shed is internal..

[kanisha]

  whats the picture like?  is there anything a numpty should know about setting them up? at that price is definately worth thinking about!!

[ScotsGirl]

I hope it's idiot proof cos I am useless at setting technical things up.

[littlelugs]

The picture is suprisingly good for the cost.. this is a pic taken with the night vision on this evening.
I'm not exactly technically minded the camera screws in with 2 screws and plugs into the electric supply.
Setting up the wi-fi is relatively easy as it has a wizard mode on the software which detects everything you will need an ethernet cable plugged into the router and the camera to set up the wi-fi but most people have one of those lying around ie on a printer ect. Once the port is set up the camera works wirelessly.
hope this helps.. like i say it works for us before buying the camera check how far your wi-fi coverage goes by using a laptop of smart phone in the shed if it doesnt reach you would then need to buy a secondhand router or wi-fi booster to increase the signal range.
If you want better quality pic then obviously you get what you pay for (and night vision obviously is'nt as good a daylight images).
Littlelugs

[ScotsGirl]

That's not bad. I do have a light so worst case I can leave that on. Anything that saves me popping out every half hour in the cold and wet is worth every penny! Out of interest, can images be picked up away from home? Would be ideal if I can see what is going in while at work as normally have a friend who keeps checking for me.

[littlelugs]

yes the images and controlling of the camera can be done remotely via pc or smart phone... i use my phone you can pan round the camera however the audio does not work on the smart phone app.
 

[ZaktheLad]

The Maplin one at £49.99 looks a very good option and very easy to set up.  I am tempted too, as like ScotsGirl it would save the half hour visits out to the barn and the unnecessary disturbance of the ewes when I go in and switch the light on.  Would also save me a fortune in carrots, as my horse thinks that every time I check on the sheep he deserves a carrot for the disturbance it also causes him.  If anyone has used this particular Maplin set-up I would be interested to hear how efficient and effective it was/is and also, if it can be connected to a laptop in preference to a television.

[Fowgill Farm]

Haven't got the maplin one but one similar that i use to watch the farrowing house, means i'm not in and out disturbing mum to be or the other pigs. Its saved many a piglets life as i've been able to dash outside at the right moment. i'm also a fretter    so it gives me peace of mind. OH bought it for me as he was sick of me disturbing him & the dog   but i know he secretly watches it too
We had a sow last year who just would not settle to farrow and after a long while of watching her trying to nest and flinging herself about i went out, managed to get her laid out and when she next had a contraction, helped her out with the most gi-normous piglet, she had a further 5 with my help, if it hadn't been for the camera she might have likely exhausted herself trying all night to give birth and likely the piglets would have died within. The 6 piglets saved more than covered the cost of the investment in the camera. Same pig has just had a litter of 10 this month again with my cctv supervision.
HTH
mandy