- THE AGRI-SHIELD™ LIVESTOCK CARE -
Space Requirements and Care for Sheep
Agri-Shield – Sheep Care
A Single Span Agri-Shield is an ideal choice for small to medium flocks of animals, as well as upland or hill farms that have limited flat ground. Single span polytunnels offer higher levels of ventilation due to their ratio of vented sides to floor space. If you are considering incorporating a central feed or access passage into your layout design, it may be more economical to choose a wider polytunnel. For example, a 9.15m (30ft) wide polytunnel with a 3m (10ft) central passage will only lose a third of its livestock area, while a 6.4m (21ft) polytunnel with the same size passage would lose almost half of its space. In general, the wider the polytunnel, the lower the price per square meter.
Multi-Span livestock houses are a good option for housing medium to large flocks of around 300 ewes or more. They can also be used for raising calves and housing cattle.
Our standard multi-span structure consists of three bays in a 30-foot, 18-foot, 30-foot configuration. This allows for two structures dedicated to housing, with the central 18-foot bays providing safe, easy access for larger vehicles and feeding wagons, and allowing for segregation in emergencies or inspection from a central location. The percentage of space "lost" to feed and access passages is greatly reduced with the multi-span design.
Having larger numbers of livestock under one roof makes many tasks easier, especially when you need to be in two places at the same time. This type of larger, higher structure is becoming increasingly popular for dairy herds and beef cattle as it increases airflow and reduces the buildup of moisture.
For a flock of 400 medium ewes, a structure that is 70 feet wide and 120 feet long would be a good starting point. The length and number of bays can be customized to meet your specific needs.
Space Requirements - Sheep
Space Requirements and Care for Cattle
Agri-Shield - Cattle Care
It offers a number of benefits that can improve the welfare of the animals and reduce costs. For example, the shortwave radiation from natural daylight creates a warmer and drier environment, reducing the need for bedding and lowering costs. The use of natural light also lowers energy requirements for lighting. The warm environment inside the polytunnel can improve the food conversion ratio of the livestock, leading to lower feed costs. Additionally, a polytunnel can provide a more comfortable environment for the livestock, potentially reducing calf mortality due to pneumonia. These structures are often less expensive to construct than traditional buildings, and the natural light and high, dry airflow can help keep potentially harmful bacteria, fungi, moulds, and odours at a minimum, providing a healthier environment for both the livestock and the farmer. The white polythene used in the Agri-Shield Multi Span polytunnel allows for the passage of 60% of natural light, including UVA and UVB, which can help dry and naturally disinfect the floor and bedding. Adequate feeding space is also important to prevent dominant animals from intimidating subordinate ones and potentially reducing their growth rates."