How to Build Portable Sheep Yards

Portable sheep yards constructed of high tensile, light walled pipe have a weight advantage over conventional pipe designed panels.

BASIC DESIGNS
Panel lenghts should be in either half or third lengths of the pipe material chosen.

Bend the frame from a larger diameter pipe than the internal railing. Do not place a pipe immediately on the ground as it will be more likely to corrode.

Six and seven rail panels are common, as are mesh panels. Five rail panels may be used for fully grown sheep.

PANEL HEIGHTS
A panel height of 1000mm will be suitable for most applications. Draft and race panels should be 850mm to 900mm high.

RAIL SPACING
The spacing of the rails will depend upon the number of rails desired and the type of animals to be worked.
Some basic spacings are shown, however, you may find that your requirements are different.

Lower rails should be more closely spaced than the upper rails. A central support 25 x 5 is necessary to stop the rails spreading.

PIPE SIZES
Suitable 3m panels may be constructed from 25NB frames and 20NB rails with a 25 x 5 central support.

2.4m and 2.1m panels may have a frame bent from 20NB pipe with 15NB rails. A central support 25 x 5 is required. The frame and the panel may be made from 20NB.

2.4m pipe and mesh panels may be made from 20NB frames and sheep yard mesh. A pipe support in the centre of the frame is suggested.

JOINING PANELS
Panels may be joined by several methods of pinning. Short pieces of pipe welded to each end of the panel require a drop bold or pin to join panels. The inverted L and pipe joins avoid the use of loose pins.

By choosing a piece of 25NB pipe and 12mm rod for the inverted L, several panels can be joined at one end. 20NB pipe is useful for closer fitting panels.

RACE PANELS
Panels may be supported by a variety of frames and spacers to form a working race. Bows should be high enough for the operators to walk through. The width of the race should be between 450mm and 600mm.

THREE WAY DRAFT
The draft may be constructed in a similar manner to race the panel bows. The important features are that the bows are above operator''s head height and that the gates swing freely.

Draft gates can be 900mm to 1200mm wide. Either railed or blind gates may be used but meah gates can snag horns.

DRAFT RACE PANELS
Blind race panels should be constructed to suit the dimensions of the sheeting available. 900 x 2400 x 1.6mm steel sheet is ideal for a draft race. The lower rail will need to be close to the ground to maintain a panel height close to 900mm.

GATES AND GATEWAYS
Gateways may be necessary to support gates. The gateway bows should be above the operator''s head height.
NOTE: Make your panels to suit the materials available.