Agri Vehicles Insurance from Greenlands

Author Topic: polytunnels for sheep and goats  (Read 5572 times)

DavidandCollette

  • Joined Dec 2012
polytunnels for sheep and goats
« on: January 29, 2015, 09:42:18 am »
Hi has anyone used a polytunnel to house sheep and goats?

Buttermilk

  • Joined Jul 2014
Re: polytunnels for sheep and goats
« Reply #1 on: January 29, 2015, 12:52:11 pm »
A neighbouring farmer is lambing in one.

Jamie12

  • Joined Nov 2013
Re: polytunnels for sheep and goats
« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2015, 02:38:06 pm »
I'm in the process of fixing one up to lamb in.

Marches Farmer

  • Joined Dec 2012
  • Herefordshire
Re: polytunnels for sheep and goats
« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2015, 02:42:18 pm »
Have to watch out for snow.  Someone we know who used one on the Long Mynd found it flattened one morning - fortunately the sheep were outside at the time.

Anke

  • Joined Dec 2009
  • St Boswells, Scottish Borders
Re: polytunnels for sheep and goats
« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2015, 04:37:02 pm »
Depends on the sheep breed I guess - horns would be a bit of a hazard?

Rosemary

  • Joined Oct 2007
  • Barry, Angus, Scotland
    • The Accidental Smallholder
Re: polytunnels for sheep and goats
« Reply #5 on: January 29, 2015, 07:36:06 pm »
Do you mean a proper sheep polytunnel or a vegetable polytunnel? TBH, I haven't used either but the sheep ones have mesh sides I think for ventilation. Sheep aren't good in poorly ventilated places so that might be a problem in a "conversion" job. But just a thought rather than actual experience.
« Last Edit: January 29, 2015, 08:19:39 pm by Rosemary »

Ladygrey

  • Joined Jun 2012
  • Basingstoke
Re: polytunnels for sheep and goats
« Reply #6 on: January 29, 2015, 07:45:16 pm »
Do you mean a proper sheep polytunnel or a vegetable polytunnel? TBH, I haven't used either but the sheep ones have mesh sides I think for ventilation. Sheep aren't good in well ventilated places so that might be a problem in a "conversion" job. But just a thought rather than actual experience.

Do you mean "in poorly ventilated places"  ::)  ;)

I did look into getting a lambing polytunnel for lambing this year, I got the full quotes and everything in the autumn time, but it worked out expensive for what it was plus I didnt have any flat land plus as the land I have is rented I'm not sure I wanted to put one up anyway

They quoted 1 square metre per sheep, so my quote was for a small one as most would be lambing outside, I think the 50 square metre one came to around £3,000

We just built a field shelter instead, and if there are any problems we will put inside for a little

Rosemary

  • Joined Oct 2007
  • Barry, Angus, Scotland
    • The Accidental Smallholder
Re: polytunnels for sheep and goats
« Reply #7 on: January 29, 2015, 08:20:46 pm »
Do you mean a proper sheep polytunnel or a vegetable polytunnel? TBH, I haven't used either but the sheep ones have mesh sides I think for ventilation. Sheep aren't good in well ventilated places so that might be a problem in a "conversion" job. But just a thought rather than actual experience.

Do you mean "in poorly ventilated places"  ::) ;)

I did. Good spot - thanks. Changed it now  ::)

devonlady

  • Joined Aug 2014
Re: polytunnels for sheep and goats
« Reply #8 on: January 29, 2015, 08:44:25 pm »
Marquees are available at this time of year small and large for lambing.

langfauld easycare

  • Joined Apr 2012
Re: polytunnels for sheep and goats
« Reply #9 on: January 29, 2015, 08:52:43 pm »
 :wave: guy i used to dyke for in yarrow valley near selkirk(scottish borders) had 2 which he lambed in . they had plastic windbreak mesh up about 4ft from the ground for ventilation then a wood rail which the plastic attached to . the plastic on these was green . they were in a sheltered spot .yarrow does get a lot of snow but tunnels seemed to work well .

Crbecky10

  • Joined Dec 2014
Re: polytunnels for sheep and goats
« Reply #10 on: January 30, 2015, 07:34:53 pm »
Polytunnels for sheep have often mesh round the sides for ventilation. This can be a problem in winter months and for lambing in if there is bad weather which can blow through and be cold, meaning they can be very cold in winter if not in a sheltered place. Also, in summer they soon get very hot.
They need to be put up well or the plastic can soon be damaged by the wind or in snow.
As for sheep with horns, the plastic isn't far down enough for their horns to reach.

DavidandCollette

  • Joined Dec 2012
Re: polytunnels for sheep and goats
« Reply #11 on: February 01, 2015, 09:30:59 am »
 :excited: Thanks for all your responses. We have decided to get a sheep polytunnel. It will be good for Lambing also means the ram lambs are dry when they do for slaughter. They will also be dry for shearing, a problem we came across last year.

 

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