HOW TO: Transport Your Sheep
Updated: Sep 1, 2021
Transporting Sheep
At some point in life, most sheep will have to be transported.
Make sure all the sheep are ready for transportation before transporting them. Sheep should not be transported if they are considered unfit for transportation.
Based on size, sex, age, and temperament, animals should be segregated.
When you lift sheep onto a truck, be sure to lift them by supporting their chest and abdomen and not by the head, horns, ears, or legs.
When using the railings and ramps, make sure they are properly designed. Footing should be secure, and to prevent sheep from dropping or jumping off, sides should be high enough.
Ensure that the sheep have ample space during transport.
Make sure the transport vehicle is suitable for sheep transportation. It should have high sides, a floor with a stable footing, be adequately ventilated, and urine absorption provisions should be made.
Check sheep within the first hour of loading on long trips, and every two or three hours afterwards.
In hot/humid weather and in cold weather, special precautions must be taken. Reduce the loading density and ensure a lot of airflow in hot weather. Make sure the sheep are kept dry and insulated from direct contact with cold metal surfaces in cold weather.