Optimising Winter Sheep Housing
A hot topic at this time of year is straw availability and housing strategies for the winter.鈥疉lthough sheep slats have听used widely in Ireland, the same uptake has not听been seen听in Scotland. However, sheep housing over winter is now听being considered听more particularly with a reduction in available winter grazing鈥檚 and climate change resulting in Scotland experiencing warmer and wetter winters, with increased flooding instances impacting on winter pasture quality and grazing availability.听听
The biggest advantage听to using sheep slats听is savings in cost of straw and time and cost of labour bedding sheep, as well as giving you the ability to house more sheep per square metre, allowing for flocks to maintain or increase stocking densities when grazing is not available over the winter months.听
Sheep slats听offer the opportunity to house听sheep听in a hygienic environment.听The cleaner, drier conditions found in slatted housing often听lead听to improved animal health and welfare,听through reduced lameness, whilst听also听reducing labour.听
Housing sheep on slats over winter allows pastures to rest and recover, preventing damage from poaching and allowing a significant rest period for grass growth before lambing. Housing also allows businesses to make best use of grass by conserving听summer听surpluses for winter feeding.听听
Getting Started听听
Stocking density听-听The stocking density will depend on the age and condition of the animals. The table below summarises the recommended space per animal:听
Correct stocking density is crucial for听maintaining听the cleanliness of slats, as sufficient foot traffic听is needed听to push manure through the gaps.听
Winter shearing听offers an opportunity听to increase space efficiency and听improve听animal monitoring around lambing time.听听
Feed space 鈥撎�Adequate barrier/feeding space must听be provided听for all animals housed. This is particularly important if feeding concentrates听rather than ad lib听as dominant animals may prevent others from reaching the feed.听
Many听farmers with听ad-lib Total Mixed Ration (TMR) systems听report reduced听competition听for feed space as animals feed at their own convenience.听Many听attributed this to reduced incidences of听malpresentations and prolapses at lambing time.听
Manure management听鈥撎�Sheep housing with slats often incorporates slurry tanks for managing waste as slurry. These systems require sufficient storage space to听comply with听the General Binding Rules (GBRs), which mandate 22-26 weeks of storage. While most sheep housing systems听don鈥檛听require housing for such听long periods, this offers an opportunity to maximise manure storage by importing organic materials like digestate and hen pen manure, thereby reducing the need for inorganic fertilisers. Other systems treat manure as solid waste, requiring only enough storage for the liquid fraction (urine, rainwater, wash water).听
Forage听quality听鈥撎�Producing high quality forage听is crucial听when feeding housed sheep, especially听when feeding听pregnant or lactating ewes. The听optimal听silage is leafy, high in protein, and highly digestible.听High-quality silage reduces both the amount and duration of concentrate feeding during housing.听Chopped silage is best as bulky feeds such as hay can听block the slats.听听
Before housing sheep,听it's听important to assess听alongside a nutritionist听whether the farm has the capacity to produce听high听quality silage, which听may听require increased nitrogen input and听shutting off silage fields earlier.听听
Ventilation/Draughts听
Proper ventilation is essential in a sheep slatted shed听to听maintain听a healthy environment for the flock and ensures the slatted system works as intended. Good airflow removes moisture, ammonia, and airborne bacteria that can build up when manure collects beneath the slats, preventing respiratory issues and听other conditions. It also helps keep the shed dry, reducing the risk of foot problems and improving overall comfort. Effective ventilation regulates听temperature, preventing heat stress in warmer weather and reducing condensation in colder months. Altogether, a well-ventilated slatted shed听and avoiding draughts at sheep level听supports better animal welfare, healthier stock, and more efficient housing management.听
Five Top Tips听
- There are听numerous听types of material that slats can听be made听from, with plastic slate often being the most expensive. Consider and evaluate which material is best for you.听
- Wool must听be cleared听from slats to stop them blocking.听
- Ensure animals have adequate feed space.听
- Ventilation and airflow are key for听maintaining听a healthy environment for the sheep. Ensure that there are no听drafts from below the sheep, to stop them being cold especially when shorn.听
- Check farm assurance standards and organic standards if these are relevant to you.听听
When evaluating the use of slats for sheep, you should weigh up the cost and availability of straw against the cost of the slats.听
Carol-Anne Warnock, Consultant,听Carol-Anne.Warnock@sac.co.uk听
Posted by SAC Consulting on 11/12/2025
