Key considerations for setting up containment feeding areas
Given the current seasonal conditions in southern Australia, setting up a containment feeding area is an investment to maintain animal health and condition, manage ground cover, and reduce feeding time.
Authors: Jodie Reseigh O’Brien, AWI Extension SA, and Deb Scammell, Talking Livestock
There are four main factors to consider when setting up containment:
- Location: It is true what they say, ‘location is not just important – it’s everything’. The location of a containment area near yards and other handling facilities (even the shearing shed) will allow better monitoring of livestock and handling whilst in containment. If a suitable area is not available, locating the area near a laneway allows for ease of movement of sheep to yards and handling areas. Additionally, locating the area near feed storage (such as grain or hay) saves time and improves efficiency.
Slope is another key factor. A slope of 2–4% helps with drainage and water runoff, reducing bogging in pens and helping prevent animal health issues and disease spread. When designing the layout, consider whether water will flow from one pen to another, and where water from cleaning troughs will run. Ideally, water troughs should be placed at the bottom of the slope.
- Feeding method: Before designing your containment yards, decide on the method of feeding the sheep. There are various feeding options, including feed troughs, communal pens, self-feeders, and fully automated feeders. Costs will vary depending on equipment and infrastructure required, as well as the time required to feed the sheep based on the method you choose. Be sure to provide adequate feeding space per animal. Guidelines, depending on the method of feeding, include:
- Ad lib (e.g. self feeders): 3–5 cm of trough space per head
- Total mixed ration: 14 cm of trough space per head
- Specific amount per head when all sheep need to feed at the same time (e.g. fed in a trough once per day): 30–40 cm per head.
- Pen size and density: Pen size and density are critical. It’s recommended to allow 7–10 m² per ewe, with pregnant ewes requiring larger spaces, especially as they approach lambing. Higher stock density reduces dust levels in the pen, as proportionally more urine and manure will be deposited on the pen surface. When designing your containment area, consider the mob size and the number of ewes to be contained, with a recommendation of 250–300 ewes per pen. Larger mobs may result in shy feeders or ewes with varying condition scores, which negatively affects lambing outcomes.
- Shade and shelter: Key considerations to protect from heat and cold stress. The use of shade cloth or other artificial structures are an effective way to provide shade, noting that sheep often use these areas to shelter from rain. Additionally, shelter from prevailing winds may be a key consideration and will help minimise dust. Long-term planning for shelter belts of trees and shrubs around or between yards can provide both shade and wind protection and reduce dust movement. Avoid areas with remnant vegetation due to the risk to the vegetation of high nutrient levels, soil compaction, and potential for ringbarking trees. If there are existing trees, ensure they are properly guarded.
Other considerations
Ensure you supply good quality water, a plan for all-weather access to the containment area, prevailing wind (where dust will blow to) and soil type (avoid powdery soils).
You should contact your local government authority to determine if approval is required for your new containment area.
Investing time in planning the location, size, shape and setup of your containment pens will ensure that it remains a valuable and functional asset for years to come.
More information
There are great resources available that cover setting up containment areas, methods of feeding, nutrition, animal health, managing animals in containment and, importantly, releasing sheep from containment.
AWI Extension SA webinar Setting up ewe containment feeding area
AWI Extension SA webinar Ewe containment nutrition
AWI Extension NSW webinar Feeding for a dry season
Barossa Improved Grazing Group webinar Methods of feeding ewes in containment pens
AWI Extension SA webinar Containment feeding – optimising sheep health
MLA booklet Managing breeding ewes in containment areas: A guide for producers
AWI booklet Releasing sheep from containment feeding
Image: Supplied by Darren O’Brien from Kyancutta, SA
