Okay, these are the sizes we've had so far:
Round pens
18-19ft
30ft
40ft
plus the square pen in the barn.
I think it'd only take a few more star pickets, and maybe another panel or two to make it just that little bit bigger.
I'm wondering if it would also give Jock more room to move out wider on the sheep, and stop him from darting in close all the time.
I'm not sure that the paddock space would allow it to be too much bigger if it was round, but maybe square or rectangle would do the trick. After all, Jock is now very good at getting the sheep out of corners, and the biggest problem I seem to have is that there isn't really enough room for Jock to go out nice and wide.
As my sheep are still somewhat wild, and he comes in so close, there isn't any hope of us graduating to a paddock any time soon, so another pen idea is a must.
The paddock that the training pen is in is only small. I think its something like 24 metres long by 14 metres wide. At the back is an old, very well established pear tree which sits in the middle about 4 metres off the fence.
(above): This is what the pear tree paddock is like now. The fences, although quite high, probably wouldn't stand having sheep run into them if Jock pushed too hard.
(above): This design would make the training pen a rectangle shape, and as stated in the picture, it'd be about 200m2, but it would also give the sheep corners to hide in. This can be counteracted by placing panels over the corners and rounding them.
Now, to approach my husband with the idea............
There are some good points. It will actually take less panels, and less star pickets to do the job. I might need to reinforce the existing fence, which would take more panels, but that's just a minor detail, right? hehe
Tooooo late!
ReplyDeleteI've seen your blog post.......
My thoughts are that any training pen would have to be constructed with the gate mesh panels (those of you not familiar with the product think of concrete reo mesh with 8" x 3-1/2" smooth gal rod)1.1 meter tall.
As the house paddock fences are not strained and we use Stocktite roll mesh stapled to the posts it leaves room for injury and I doubt the fences would sustain many hits before they became useless.
Add to this the injury danger to both sheep and dogs it HAS to be Gate Mesh.
:-)
True, but it could be done, I think.
ReplyDeleteIt would definitely give Jock room to get around the sheep without crowding them, and it would simulate paddock working better than the round training pen does.
Must go see how many panels it would take, just in case it becomes a 'good idea' hehe
Will report back with findings soon!