What type of flooring is best for these livestock buildings?

The choice of flooring depends on the species, but concrete pads or well-compacted hardcore are common for easy cleaning and drainage. Ensuring a slight fall in the floor prevents moisture build-up and keeps bedding dry for longer periods.

How is air quality maintained in a fabric-covered structure?

The design allows for excellent airflow through eaves and ridge vents, which prevents the build-up of ammonia and heat. This natural ventilation is far superior to traditional low-roof sheds, significantly reducing the risk of pneumonia in young stock.

Can the interior layout be changed after the building is installed?

Yes, because the interiors are clear-span with no central columns, you have total freedom to move gates and pens. This allows you to reconfigure the space for different livestock or storage needs as your requirements change over the seasons.

Do these buildings require significant maintenance over time?

Maintenance is very low compared to timber or tin sheds. The steel is galvanised to prevent rust, and the fabric covers are designed to resist UV damage and tearing. A simple annual check of the tensioning is usually all that is needed to ensure longevity.

Are these structures suitable for extreme wind or snow loads?

Yes, each building is engineered to meet specific site requirements, taking into account local wind speeds and snow probabilities. This bespoke engineering ensures the building remains secure even in the most exposed Australian rural environments.

Sheep polytunnels: Peak lambing season made easier

Overcrowding doesn’t have to impact your flock’s health or your farm’s productivity. A reliable polytunnel for sheep provides safe, dry, and spacious housing when it’s needed most.

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Peak lambing season is one of the busiest and most critical times of the year for sheep farmers. Providing adequate space and shelter is essential for both animal welfare and smooth farm management. Without the right facilities, overcrowding can quickly lead to stress, increased risk of disease, and reduced productivity.

According to official data, the total number of sheep and lambs in the United Kingdom was 20.9 million in December 2024, marking a slight decline of 1.6% compared to the previous year. This statistic highlights how important it is for farmers to maximise the health and survival rate of their flocks during lambing season. Every lamb saved, and every ewe kept in optimal condition, contributes directly to the strength of the national flock.

This is where sheep polytunnels provide a highly effective solution. Designed to be flexible, weather-resistant, and welfare-friendly, polytunnels create the extra housing space farmers need to avoid overcrowding and manage flocks with greater ease. By providing a clean, dry, and well-ventilated environment, these structures help safeguard sheep and lambs while making lambing less stressful for farm workers.

For farmers facing the annual challenge of limited housing capacity, investing in a polytunnel is a practical step that pays dividends in flock health, farm efficiency, and long-term productivity.

How can sheep polytunnels solve overcrowding during peak lambing?

Healthier air, calmer stock

Traditional livestock sheds can trap heat, ammonia, and humidity, which often contribute to respiratory issues in ewes and lambs. Polytunnels encourage natural airflow through their curved design, allowing fresh air to circulate freely. This creates a drier, cleaner atmosphere with lower moisture levels, reducing the likelihood of pneumonia and disease spread. Calmer, healthier animals adapt better after lambing, while farmers benefit from an easier environment to monitor and manage their flock.

Weather protection where needed

Spring weather in the UK can be unpredictable, with cold snaps, rain, and wind increasing risks for lamb survival. Polytunnels provide a sheltered, stable environment that protects ewes and lambs from harsh weather. Their strong covers and strong framework ensure bedding stays dry, reducing chilling and losses in vulnerable newborns. Farmers gain peace of mind knowing their flock is shielded from the elements, maintaining consistent conditions that support healthier growth and lambing outcomes.

Smart zoning & handling

One of the key advantages of sheep polytunnels is their internal flexibility. Farmers can design pen layouts using hurdles or partitions to create mothering pens, lambing lanes, or creep areas. This makes handling more efficient during lambing, reducing stress on ewes and providing better access for monitoring or assistance. Quick zoning within the polytunnel also improves biosecurity, separating sick or weak animals when needed. Such adaptability is invaluable when dealing with unpredictable flock demands.

Cleaner, safer environments

Muddy or damp lambing sheds quickly increase risks of scours, joint ill, and navel infections. Polytunnels offer improved hygiene because their ventilation and cover help maintain drier bedding and floors. Less mud and slurry transfer means a cleaner space that is easier to maintain throughout the lambing season. By reducing bacterial build-up, farmers lower veterinary costs and improve lamb survival rates. A cleaner, safer lambing environment also makes daily work more efficient and less stressful.

FAQs

What is the best shelter for sheep?

The best shelter for sheep depends on your farming system, flock size, and seasonal needs. During lambing, a flexible and well-ventilated option like a polytunnel is often considered ideal. Polytunnels for sheep provide rapid additional housing when sheds are full, while also ensuring plenty of fresh air, diffused light, and weather protection. Unlike traditional sheds, they can be expanded or re-deployed as flock numbers change. They also support good animal welfare by offering dry bedding conditions, healthy airflow, and protection from harsh UK weather. For many farmers, the balance of flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and welfare benefits makes polytunnels a leading choice.

What are the disadvantages of a polytunnel?

While polytunnels for sheep offer excellent benefits for sheep housing, there are some considerations to keep in mind. Compared with permanent buildings, polytunnels may have a shorter lifespan, depending on the quality of the cover and exposure to weather. Covers may need periodic replacement to maintain full effectiveness. They also may not provide the same level of insulation as traditional sheds, which means additional bedding or windbreaks may be required in colder regions. However, with good design and maintenance, these drawbacks are outweighed by the flexibility, speed of deployment, and lower upfront costs that polytunnels provide.

Do you need planning permission for polytunnels?

Whether planning permission is required for a polytunnel depends on its size, location, and use. In the UK, small agricultural polytunnels used seasonally may not need permission, especially if they are considered temporary structures. However, larger installations, particularly those intended for livestock housing, often do require consent, as they can be seen as more permanent. Local planning authorities may assess factors such as impact on the landscape, drainage, and proximity to neighbouring land. It’s always best to consult with your local council before installation to avoid issues and ensure compliance with regulations.

Why is McGregor Agri Span ideal for farmers during peak lambing?

When lambing pressure spikes, Agri Span adds dependable, welfare-led space quickly, without locking you into permanent builds. Here’s how our polytunnels for sheep help right when you need it most:

Modular expansion

McGregor Agri Span’s modular design means farmers can add bays to their livestock housing as flock numbers grow. This flexibility is particularly valuable during peak lambing, when additional space is often needed urgently. Farmers can expand existing structures with minimal effort and predictable costs, creating tailored housing layouts to suit their flocks. This ability to grow alongside changing needs ensures that ewes and lambs are never left cramped, supporting both welfare and farm efficiency.

Re-deployable flexibility

Farmers require flexibility to move housing as operations change. McGregor Agri Span is built without permanent fixings, making it easy to dismantle, pack down, and re-deploy elsewhere. This is especially useful for seasonal needs, like lambing, where temporary housing can later be shifted to different sites or purposes. The simple installation process ensures the structure can be moved quickly, giving farmers maximum control over space allocation without losing flexibility or strength in the process.

Robust weather protection

Peak lambing coincides with some of the most challenging UK weather. Agri Span is engineered to withstand wind and snow loadings to European standards, offering strong, lasting protection for flocks. The robust frame and cover safeguard animals against cold snaps and rain, keeping bedding dry and lambs safe from chilling. By providing a consistently secure and stable environment, farmers reduce losses, increase survival rates, and ensure animal welfare is never compromised by external conditions.

Designed with animal welfare in mind

Agri Span structures are designed with RSPCA standards in mind, ensuring high welfare housing. The diffused light cover and healthy airflow create natural, low-stress environments that mimic outdoor conditions while providing shelter. This reduces animal stress, encourages natural behaviour, and helps ewes focus on their lambs. For farmers, this means better flock performance and healthier lambs, underpinned by a housing system designed to prioritise welfare without sacrificing practicality or efficiency.

Backed by experience and reliability

With over 45 years of experience in agricultural building design, McGregor provides farmers with structures proven to perform in tough environments. Agri Span is manufactured to high standards, ensuring every structure is both flexible and dependable. This long-standing expertise reassures farmers that their investment will withstand the test of time and deliver consistent results year after year. When flock health and lambing outcomes are at stake, the reliability of Agri Span makes a critical difference.