THE IDEAL SOLUTION FOR SHEEP SHEDS & SHELTERS
Make the smart choice for your farm. Choose a SmartShelters dairy sheep shed.
Whether you rear East Friesian dairy sheep or any other breed, At SmartShelters we have designed our dairy sheep shelters to maximise both the quality of your flock and the ease of managing it. We are able to customise the length and width to suit any configuration, while the cleverly designed height clearance of our shelters makes cleaning and servicing simple.
And for your peace of mind, all of our structures are engineered to AS/NZS:1170.2:2021.
Greater control over your livestock
Key benefits include:
Shelters offer property owners greater control over their livestock; they facilitate simpler management, and enable you to maintain the healthiest and most productive flock possible. By utilising dairy sheep shelters, whether sheep sheds, small portable shelters or larger temporary housing, you are able to:
- Gain greater control over the feeding, milking and management of your flock.
- Eliminate diseases associated with pasture grazing, greatly reducing head loss and veterinary bills.
- With dairy sheep more sensitive to weather conditions, a shelter will reduce your flock’s exposure to the elements, keeping the sheep warmer and healthier, and increasing milk yields.
Managing harsh New Zealand conditions
Do dairy sheep need shelter?
Providing your sheep with protection, particularly in often harsh and hostile New Zealand conditions, is a must. This is particularly the case for sheep bred for optimum dairy genetics, as the very DNA that allows them to produce such high yields tends to leave them susceptible to weather extremes, by focusing their energy more on milk production than on hardiness.
What’s more, providing your property with a hub from which to maintain your flock will allow you to maximise your investment.
GALLERY
TOUGH MATERIALS FOR LONG LIFESPAN
You have peace of mind with the SmartShelters’ 12-year limited warranty against product faults.
We use only the highest quality components to ensure that your shelter stands up to the conditions. SmartShelters structures are engineered to AS/NZS 1170.2:2021 and are rated to withstand wind and snow conditions. By using structural-grade Supergal galvanised steel framing and tough Ripstop roof covers we have built up a reputation for extremely high quality and long-lasting structures.
TESTIMONALS
Smartshelters played a critical role in the recent project to gather information about the Alpine Fault – New Zealand’s biggest earthquake threat.
THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION EMPLOYED SMARTSHELTERS TO CREATE A HELICOPTER HANGAR AND ACCOMMODATION SHELTERS FOR USE IN THE MOUSE ERADICATION PROJECT IN THE WILD ANTIPODES ISLANDS. CHECK OUT OUR VIDEO ON LOCATION.
ASK US A QUESTION ABOUT OUR DAIRY SHEEP SHELTERS
Why do I house dairy sheep?
With the genetics of high-yield sheep in mind, exposing your flock to the elements can see a deterioration in both its quality and its size. Many diseases, injuries and deaths are associated with pasture grazing, particularly in dairy sheep, leading you to lose head and to be forced to pay for veterinary assistance.
Spreading your flock over a large area also makes it more difficult to manage. Herding the animals in order to milk, shear, dip or spray can be incredibly time consuming, as is feeding a sparse flock. Indeed, a pasture grazing flock will have greater nutrition requirements when compared to a housed flock, as it must expend more energy to find its food.
By housing your dairy sheep you’ll keep the flock healthy and happy, and ensure that they are productive as possible.
What are the benefits of housing dairy sheep?
With all of the above in mind, the investment in a dairy sheep shed, shelter or any other form of housing can quickly be paid back with improvements to the quality of your flock and its productivity, the reduction of upkeep costs, and an increase in operational efficiency.
There are two avenues to converting a farm to house dairy sheep – you can opt for a pasture based system with lower-yielding sheep, or you can choose purpose-bred dairy sheep with a much higher milk yield that need to be housed. The right choice for your farm will depend on a number of factors, so it’s important that you do the research before committing to one option or the other.
How do I house dairy sheep?
The housing needs of dairy sheep can vary greatly depending on the climate, the possibility of lambing, and the farmer’s management preferences.
Dairy sheep shelters can vary from the most basic domed construction to a fully fitted structure with feeding, milking, quarantining and lamb rearing facilities. The level of return is generally tied to the level of investment that a farmer is willing to make – the better the facilities, the greater the potential upside.
No matter what type of dairy sheep shelter you decide to construct, it is vital that it is placed on an elevated site with good drainage. If you choose a shelter with one or more open sides, these sides should always face away from the prevailing wind. The structure should be designed to easily manage the movement of sheep, the delivery of feed and the handling of manure, and it will ideally be plumbed and powered (or at the very least have the option for plumbing and power to be added in the future).
How many square metres per dairy sheep for housing?
It is recommended that you allow 2m² of space per dairy sheep if you house them in an enclosed space. We can help you to work out your space requirements and ensure that your sheep are kept as comfortable, healthy and productive as possible.
Boasting a team backed by 100 years of experience, and working with the finest materials available, at SmartShelters we’re able to rapidly design and construct dairy sheep shelters of the highest quality, enabling you to work smarter, sooner.
Contact a member of our experienced team today to discuss a truly smart shelter solution for your property.
