Sheep Facilities and Equipment

Sheep are very adaptable to Manitoba's climate. For ewe-lamb operations, the facilities required depend in large part on the time of year lambing is scheduled to take place. Producers lambing on green grass have been very successful keeping their flocks in the field (no shed) the year round with only trees for shelter. For more confined operations open front sheds, shelterbelts or windbreak fences are used.  Adult sheep do not require insulated or heated housing. When lambing during colder months, however, a warm lambing area is beneficial.

An ideal building site is one that slopes to the south and has shelter from the prevailing winter winds. Note that sheep wintering areas and feedlots are "confined livestock areas" and, as such, must be sited according to the Livestock Manure and Mortalities Management Regulation.

Contact a regional engineer with Manitoba Agriculture and Food, if you would like more information about sheep facilities and equipment.

Links:

• The Canada Plan Service has a wide range of sheep housing and equipment plans available.
• The MidWest Plan Service’s Sheep Housing and Equipment Handbook (MWPS-3) is an excellent source of information about sheep facilities and equipment.

Author

Mamoon Rashid
Business Development Specialist - Sheep/Goat
Livestock Knowledge Centre
545 University Crescent
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 5S6
Phone: 204-945-7557
Fax: 204-945-4327