5 lead-up race options for your sheep handler

1. Inline lead-up races

The lead-up race is central to many jobs in the yards, and it is imperative that you set it up to suit the layout of the yards and consider the natural behaviours of your sheep. Race designs will depend largely on the type and quantity of sheep being run through the yards, but some popular choices for leadup races are inline single or dual races. Inline races are easy to set up and can be easily attached to any sheep handler.

The biggest comparison between a single lead-up race and a dual lead up race is that a single lead-up race enables the operator to access both sides of the stock. However, a dual adjustable lead-up race more sheep to be processed at a quicker rate due to its dual capacity.

Pictured above are some photos of a Proway dual inline lead-up race.

ProWay Livestock Equipment offers a variety of lead-up race options including the Single Working Race and the Dual Adjustable Lead-Up Race.

“ProWay’s Dual Adjustable Lead-up Race is suited to processing a variety of sheep and lamb breeds,” says Patrick Ryan, Product Service Manager for ProWay. “Sheep flow through side by side with the flexibility of width adjustment based on the husbandry operation and animal size.”

The race is built using un-sheeted panels so sheep can see each other moving side by side and in front. Alongside ProWay, many other sheep yard manufacturers including Peak Hill Industries and Atlex Stockyards supply single and dual lead-up races.

The yard pictured above is an inline V-Race section from Altex Stockyards that is positioned just before the sheep handler. A V-race helps to prevent small sheep or lambs from turning around in the race. The sheeted sides help to keep sheep flowing into the sheep handler as they can’t see distractions out the sides.

2. Curved and ‘S’ Races

Curved and ‘S’ races are designed using sheeted sides. Popular amongst operators who require a single leadup race for drafting purposes, sheep often flow better through sheeted races due to their vision being restricted to only being able to see what is ahead of them. However, sheeted races can make the assessing of sheep more difficult and equipment which is accidentally dropped within the race may be difficult to locate or retrieve whilst there are sheep in the race.

Due to its narrow width and singular line, curved or ‘S’ races are ideal for those wishing to use the race purely as a lead up towards their sheep handler. The narrow walkway combined with the bends requires sheep to focus on their feet rather than what’s going on ahead. 

3. Flexible and Relocatable Race Designs

For many, having the ability to move your yards enables you to set up your working area wherever your sheep may be, including those who may have stock on agistment. Incorporating a flexible and mobile lead-up race alongside your sheep handler will enable you to do the job by yourself rather than relying on others to help you.

Pictured above is the Back-Up Charlie Lead-up race that is relocatable and can be set out in different ways to suit your requirements.

In 2016 after struggling to find a forcing pen and lead-up race which encouraged the ongoing flow of sheep without the need for more than one operator and a dog, Charlie of Back-Up Charlie (BUC) decided to design his own.

Consisting of a combination of block panels, mesh panels, a spring-loaded access gate and Charlie’s patented Back Up Charlie hock bars, the BUC flexible sheep movement system consists of a forcing yard and a dual race which can be moved and altered to suit any sheep handler, crutching plant or scanning machine.

“I found many races on the market had closed panels along the entire race,” says Charlie Webb, Owner and designer of the BUC system. “Sheep won’t run through a race when they have no light or exit point in sight. Having mesh panels on our system means light can come through the race, alleviating the pressure and providing a positive exit point for the sheep to work towards.”

Charlie’s system is unique in that it can be easily relocated. In addition, the system can be assembled in several ways, including as a long straight race, a curved race at 180 degrees or into a short bugle formation.

“The BUC system integrates really well into any handling system,” says Charlie Webb, Owner and designer of the BUC system. “At the end of the day, I wanted a working area that reduced my dependency on having multiple workers in the yards without exerting any extra effort or stress from myself. It was about having a happy life on the farm, working happily with the family and most importantly making sure my sheep were happy.”

4. Bugles and Forcing Pens for sheep

A well-designed working area which correlates with your handling unit makes a big difference to safety and animal welfare. Sheep are known to move willingly around curves and corners into narrow races which makes the incorporation of a bugle yard ideal for sheep flow. Bugle yards take their name from the key feature of their design. The curved and tapering layout looks like that of the brass instrument. As sheep move towards the race the bugle becomes narrower in width thus funnelling the sheep into the lead-up race.

It is recommended that the wider end of the bugle is designed to be 2.5 to 6 metres wide, making it ideal to hold more sheep at once in the pen. However, this width reduces the operator’s control. Sheep can escape back past the operator or working dog whilst they attempt to funnel the sheep towards the race.

Bugles are a simple design and construction costs tend to be lower than other types of forcing pen designs. Existing rectangular yards can also be easily converted into a bugle design making them an ideal incorporation for those wishing to keep certain parts of their yards.

Stockpro’s bugle system is made using sheeted sides. This keeps sheep focused on what is in front of them, rather than being spooked or scared by parked vehicles, workers or dogs who may be located outside of the yards. Their design can also be placed into any yard design and can be fully customisable to suit the needs of the operation.

Similarly, ProWay’s Sheep Rotary Force is popular amongst stud breeders and intensive operations that process large numbers of sheep at one time. Its self-locking gate can be lifted due to the addition of a counterweight, so it does not impede stock flow. Operators can easily lift the gate up and over their sheep.

Simon Flinn, owner, and stockyard designer of Flinn Design believes removing any areas where force is applied to the animal will make a better flow-on effect not only through the handling unit but also through the entire working area.

“Our ideal forcing pen is not to have one at all,” says Simon. “There’s no need to use force in your yards, you only need your stock to feel pressure to get them flowing into your handler.”

Simon believes the site in which yards sit as well as the use of slope, light and animal instinct are what make up the best influences for sheep to flow through the working area and into the handler. Every set of Flinn Design stockyards is custom-designed considering the sustainability requirements their clients may need both at the time of construction and in the years ahead.

 

5. Anti-backing gates and flaps

A backing flap or gate will prevent sheep from backing up in the race, a good anti-backing system can help reduce the number of staff you need in the yards.

There are many options readily available for you to choose from when selecting anti-backing gates and/or flaps for your lead-up race. Several manufacturers including ProWay, Flinn Design, Stockpro, Atlex and Back-up Charlie all have options which can be incorporated into a lead-up race design.

ProWay’s Sliding Race Gate and Tumble Swing Gate both work well within a lead-up race. The gates allow for fluid movement of stock and reduce the gaps between stock when drenching or vaccinating is being completed in the race.

Similarly, Atlex’s Guillotine Gates can be used at the end of a lead-up race, as well as a mid-way gate to keep stock tight within the race. Using the pull handles located at the back of the race keeps the operator out of sight of the sheep allowing them to move without force up the race once work is finished.

Most stockyard manufacturers provide anti-backing flaps or hock bars as an additional design option for operators. Both work well when sheep are being held in the race for a longer period of time i.e. pregnancy scanning, classing or for a general assessment of stock. Always ensure the flaps or hock bars are mounted to an appropriate height to keep sheep in place rather than becoming a trip hazard.

Racewell Sheep Handlers have anti-backing hooks on their lead-up race as well. The hooks are spring-loaded on the entry-level models and activated by sensors and air operated for the top-of-the-line models.

Racewell Sheep Handling Equipment

Te Pari’s range of sheep handling systems has been designed with farmers in mind. We want to make the job for you quicker and easier without jeopardising the safety and welfare of your sheep. The same goes for your sheep yards. A well-designed handling unit combined with a well-designed sheep yard design means you can enjoy the work you do every day.

The team at Te Pari have seen many different lead-up races set up over the years and is happy to help advise you on the best solution for your sheep handler. Contact us for more information!