[ScribbleUk]

Hi,

I'm putting a lean-to type covered shelter up against an existing shed.  Idea being to provide some shelter for our small flock - either to temporarily keep them off the grass if too wet, keep them dry prior to work/treatments, isolation, etc, etc.   The current area is just grass/soil and I reckon this would be churned up pretty quickly during winter weather, although I doubt it would be used for more than a week at anyone time.

Due to a couple of reasons a concrete floor isn't an option so I have been considering either gravel/hardcore, or a slightly raised floor using something similar to the mesh panel in the photo.

Does anyone have any experience of using these?  Good or bad?  I'm assuming they would be easier to clean than a gravel floor?  Has anyone found them slippy - either for sheep or humans?  Or am I missing any other obvious options?

Thanks

[Jukes Mum]

We didn't put a floor down in our sheep shelter (we thought we'd see how we got on and reassess). As it is roofed it is dry and is now compacted hard ground like concrete. It obviously can't be washed down for lambing though.

[Backinwellies]

Our sheep shed floor is hardcore .... brilliant drainage... use much less bedding than if it was concrete (not that you will be bedding).   Areas in fields used for sheep tasks very quickly turn to mud .. but I guess it depend on where you are and soil type.

[Buttermilk]

Rammed chalk makes a good base in a building.

[EP90]

Poo’y wet metal, even mesh, will be slippy for wellies and hooves.  I’ve a similar set up with a hardcore base, locally called ‘804’ which is 2” stone down to dust.  Compacts down but is free draining and can be freshened up every couple of years with a sprinkle of new stone if required.

[ScribbleUk]

Thanks - may put gravel down first and see how we get on before spending too much money on anything else.

[Twotwo]

I have found with horses that gravel really gets into their hooves particularly with unshod small feet, whether that would be the same with sheep I'm not sure but I don't think I would risk it. I should have thought hardcore would be cheaper as well.

[Bramblecot]

We have put rubber stable matting (secondhand) in the field shelter, laid over a thin bed of scalping, and it works really well.  I tried the matting with holes but it fills up with pooh pellets and is infuriating to clean 

[Willowdale]

If you're using crushed stone, how do you clean off the poo pellets?

I was using wood chips on earth and over time it's become a sodden mess no matter how much I pile on top.