Design and Construction of Sheep-drafting Yards

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 81, Issue 2, 15 August 1950, Page 129

Design and Construction of Sheep-drafting Yards

By '

J. E. DUNCAN,

Wool Supervisor, Department of Agriculture, Wellington. 11

THE use of concrete in the construction of sheep-drafting yards and the types of gates and races which may be employed are among the subjects dealt with in this, the second part of an article on sheep-drafting yards. The first part appeared in the July “Journal”, and the final portion will appear in next month’s issue.

CONCRETE fence posts and strainers have not yet been as widely used as their merits deserve. At present there is great scope for their use, and as the supplies of good durable timber decrease still further that scope will widen. Many still avoid them, because they have had, or have heard of, failures with such posts. When concrete posts crack through, the most probable cause is that the concrete has not been mixed properly in the first place, that the posts . have not been allowed time to mature, or that the reinforcing has been wrongly placed. Some farmers believe that a v single iin. rod through the middle of the post is as good as a lin. rod in each corner. This is a fallacy. ■ . Concrete has very great compressive strength, but will stand very little tensile stress. Steel reinforcing, which has a high tensile strength, is put in to overcome this weakness. The reinforcing should therefore always be in that part of the concrete likely to be subject to tensile stress. A post is liable to be pushed or pulled in any direction. In Fig. 7 on page 131 the direction of the z force applied to the posts is represented by arrows. The shaded sides' of the posts are under compression, while the unshaded half is under tension. Post A, which is reinforced with a single thick steel bar, tends to crack off at or near ground level (C). The crack can go half way through the post before it meets with the resistance of the steel, which can quite easily become bent, allowing the crack to go right through. With post B, which is reinforced with a much lighter rod in each corner, the tensile strain, from whatever direction it is applied, is always offset by a steel rod just below the surface, and cracks do not develop. The steel must, however, be covered with fin. of concrete to

prevent its rusting, and the covering of concrete should be thicker at. the top of the post to allow for weathering. Advantages and Disadvantages The value of concrete posts may be assessed from the following list of their advantages and disadvantages. Advantages 1. Where suitable supplies of sand and shingle are available they are cheap to construct. 2. Skilled labour is not required to make them. Post construction provides useful and profitable employment for the farm staff during wet weather when they might otherwise be idle. 3. When properly made they are strong and practically everlasting. There are no upkeep costs and as posts get older they get stronger. This applies to no other type.

4. They are not destroyed by fire or the ravages of pests.

5. Large gateposts, etc., can be made of any desired shape for special jobs and can be cast directly on the site. Details relating to aggregates, types of moulds, etc., and to other constructional points connected with the use of concrete were dealt with in a series of articles by H. W. T. Eggers, Engineer, «Department of Agriculture, Wellington, which appeared in . the “Journal” in successive issues from November, 1949, to March, 1950. Technical literature is also available from cement companies. Disadvantages 1. Their cost becomes prohibitive if material for making them has to be carted a long way. 2. They are heavy, so that with large strainers and gateposts transport may present difficulties, especially on hill country where they will have to be packed on horseback. However, ordinary posts are not too heavy for a man to carry. 3. They have to be allowed to mature before use, which takes time. (This is not always a disadvantage.) 4. Cement is. still in short supply, but it is hoped this is only a passing phase. In Fig. 8 on page 131 are given two of several alternative methods of attaching wires to' concrete posts.

Concrete and Pipes

Concrete posts used in conjunction with galvanised-steel pipes, though costly, make the strongest and most permanent type of fence. Such fences are sometimes used in Australian sheepyards where presumably other methods of construction would also be costly. Advantages of concrete post and pipe construction are that sheep are less likely to be bruised and that where there is an outbreak of blood poisoning the fences are very easy to disinfect thoroughly. They would also be fireproof and insect-proof. Similar remarks apply to the all-concrete fence

built with concrete posts and reinforced, pre-cast concrete panels. Concrete Posts and Wooden Rails Concrete post and wooden rail construction is frequently used and many expedients for attaching the rails to the posts are found. These include tying with wire through holes in the post, nailing to a . batten which is bolted to the post, bolting the rails directly to the post, nailing to a wooden strip which is placed in the mould when the post is being cast, and many other more or less ingenious methods. Fig. 9 illustrates one such method, where the posts have grooves cast in their sides into which the ends of the rails are fitted. Rails are kept at the correct spacing by being nailed to a batten. Height of Fences Height of fences may vary considerably. Provided a fence is high enough to keep in any sheep ever likely to be in the yards, it can be considered satisfactory. Sheep vary greatly in type and temperament. A wild Merino or a crossbred from the backblocks can jump like an antelope; a stud Southdown is its antithesis. As always, cost comes into the question. In the quest for economy it is possible to cut down the safety margin of height, but it is also possible to overdo the cutting down. Again,. with the yards on the flat, fences can be lower than where they are on a steep slope and a sheep can get a good take-off when jumping.

The external or “boundary” fence of the yards can be up to 4ft. or even sft. high. On the other hand the fences of the crush pens and other small pens do not need to be so high, because the sheep cannot get a run at them to jump, and because if they are higher than about 3ft. 3in. they are more difficult for men and dogs to get . over. ■

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF SHEEPYARDS

The height of a gate should be in keeping with the height of the fence in which it is placed. GATES Several types of gates are used in yards. They may be classified under five main headings:— 1. The ordinary swing gate. 2. Lift-up gates. 3. Slide-back gates. 4. Tip-up gates. 5. “Freak” or unusual gates. The above types will be dealt with individually later in this article, but the following points apply to gates generally. It is an advantage, though of course more costly, to have gates bolted together rather than nailed, as this not only gives a stronger gate, but if the gate is smashed at any time, it is much simpler to replace the broken members. In building gates the ordinary carriage bolt with a small square section below the rounded head should not be used, as when the thread gets rusty the square shoulder is quite insufficient to prevent the bolt from turning when an attempt is made to unscrew the nut. Use either squareor hexagon-head bolts. Bolts and nuts should be well painted or they will soon rust away. Modern steels are not nearly so resistant to rust as the old-fashioned wrought iron. The painting or creosoting of gates is worth while, but even if they are not done all over, the joints at least should be done before assembly, as these are the first parts to rot if untreated. The width of a gate is of course governed by the nature of the traffic it will have to handle. It is an advantage in many cases to be able to take a dray or a motor-truck into yards for carting in posts or clay or metal for the gateways, etc. The gates should be wide enough to allow passage of any such vehicles. Usually 10ft. gates should be ample for normal requirements. Wherever possible avoid hanging gates from strainer-posts, since there is then an increased chance of the

gate getting out of plumb. Separate gateposts should be used. However, in yards where post-and-rail fences are used, the gatepost can also serve as a fence post, because there is no strain on it as in a wire fence. In the case of gateways used frequently by vehicles it is a good policy to put in short, sturdy guide posts on the inside of the gateposts to protect them and prevent them from being knocked out of plumb. The merits and disadvantages of the five main types of gates already enumerated may be summarised as follows: — Common Swing Gate The common swing gate is so well known that no description is needed. Advantages 1. It is relatively cheap and easy to construct. 2. For wide openings it is the most practical type. Where openings are very wide double swing gates can be used.

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF - ■ SHEEP-DRAFTING YARDS

3. As there is not much to get out of border, maintenance is low. 4. It can be quickly taken off its hinges and used as a hurdle where necessary. . 5. Two of .these gates can be swung across and tied together to connect two pens while cutting off a third and/or fourth pen. 6. They are easy to open on horseback. ! • 7. They provide unlimited headroom. ' ■ •’ : ■■ 8. They can be used as a “sweep” to push sheep into a crush, provided care is taken to see that no undue force is used. Disadvantages 1. Considerable space is necessary for their swing. 2. They are difficult to open or shut when animals are pressing against them. i ; . 3. They require to be fastened when shut and if left swinging in the wind may be : broken. Lift-up Gate The lift-up gate opens by sliding up between guides fixed to uprights. In some cases a snib is used to keep the gate up when lifted, but the best type is provided with a chain or rope running over a pulley and a counterweight which just balances the weight of the gate. Advantages 1. The gate takes up very little space laterally. 2. If properly constructed, it is very easy to work and can . be opened or shut more quickly than any other type. It is not affected greatly by wind. -

3. Of the types mentioned it is least likely to get jammed by sheep pressing against it. 4. It only needs to be fastened shut if it is to be left for a time, but for ordinary work is simply pulled up or down as necessary. Disadvantages ~ 1. It is a difficult type to construct and requires , reasonably good workmanship. It also gets out of order more easily if abused than the common swing gate. ■ ' 2. It is the most expensive of the common types for first cost. 3. Due to the “gallows” over this type of gate head-room is limited. 4. As well as the disadvantages enumerated . above it does not possess the advantages 2, 4, 5, and 8 given for the common swing gate. Slide-back Gate • The slide-back gate slides back from the opening it covers. The fence at this point is usually double with about a 6in. space between. The gate runs on wheels on a steel rail above and in a channel guide: below, or vice versa. In a cheaper type, however, the Wheels are omitted, the fence is single, and the gate is exposed on one side. ...... . ... ; Advantages . . 1. It takes up very little room for working—less than any of the types mentioned. 2. When well constructed it is quick and easy to work, but is not as good as the lift-up gate in this respect. : 3. When the gate slides back into a “sheath”- it cannot get jammed in the open position" by sheep pressing against it: '"■■■

4. It does not need to be fastened shut when being left for a short time only. It is not affected by wind. Disadvantages 1. Its construction demands skill and good workmanship, if' it is to work well. It gets out of order probably more easily than any of the other types due to small stones and dirt getting in the guides and also through sheep jumping and hitting the crossbar on which it runs. 2. It is probably the next most expensive type after the lift-up gate for first cost. 3. Unless it runs back into a sheath it can be jammed open by sheep on one side and can easily become jammed in the. shut position. 4. It has very limited head-room due to the crossbar. Where this is not provided the gate will have to be made longer and stiffer and will not work as easily, 5. As well as the above it does not possess the advantages 2, 3, 4,5, 6, and 8 given for the common swing gate. Tip-up Gate The tip-up gate is not as common as the types already mentioned. It is usually hinged on a single bolt passing through one of the bottom corners and swings upward and backward alongside the fence. Advantages 1. It" is relatively cheap and easy to construct and will usually work fairly well even if roughly constructed. 2. It takes up less space than other gates except the slide-back type. 3. Head-room is unlimited. 4. It is easier to move the stock leaning against it than with the common swing gate or the slide-back gate.

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF SHEEP-DRAFTING YARDS

If it tips up into a sheath similar to that described for the lift-up gate, it will certainly not get jammed in the open position. It is not much affected by wind. 5. It scarcely requires a fastener, as its own weight holds it shut.

Disadvantages 1. It is cumbersome and slow to open or shut. It takes considerable manual labour, as some of the actual weight of the gate has to be lifted each time. 2. It tends to get broken, as it is hinged from one corner only. !'

3. It does not possess the advantages 2,4, 5, 6, and 8 given for the common swing gate. ' "Freak" or Unusual Gates The number of “freak” gates is legion and some display, remarkable ingenuity and inventiveness. As a rule, however, they have not the allround efficiency of the more orthodox gates,' although sometimes they are specially built to function under conditions for which' the usual types of gates are quite unsuited. It is not proposed to discuss any of these unusual gates in detail, but the illustrations in Fig. 10 on page 132 give a selection to choose from. Considering all things, it seems therefore that the ordinary swing gate and the lift-up gate have the greatest number of good points. In many instances either of these could be "used, but in a few cases they are not interchangeable. The swing gate certainly has a wider sphere of usefulness than any of the others, yet it is the lift-up type which figures prominently where expense is a minor consideration. Stock-proof Fastenings Although sheep are not as likely.to undo gate fastenings as larger stock, such as cattle and horses, some of these latter are occasionally shut in different parts of a sheepyard. Some stockproof fastenings are, therefore, shown in Fig. 12 on this page; the diagrams are largely self explanatory. THE CRUSH ' i The function of the crush, which may consist of one, two, or even more separate pens, is to make it easier to force the sheep through into the race. Shape The pen or pens are usually not very large, holding not more than about 50 sheep altogether,. and they are invariably long and narrow so that it is easy for one man to keep behind the

sheep and force them forward. The end of the crush pen should taper off into the mouth of the race. The junction between pen and race should not be an abrupt narrowing as in Fig. 13 (B) on this page or sheep will not move steadily into the race. On the other hand, a very long gradual taper as shown in Fig. 13 (A) will lead to trouble due to the tendency for the sheep to try to enter the race two abreast. Therefore an intermediate taper with an included angle of about 30 degrees should be used. Where possible one side of the crush should be straight, that is, a parallel continuation or one wall of the race in the case of a single pen (Fig. 13 (O). • In the case of a double pen the usual arrangement is to have the dividing fence opposite the centre line of the race and to employ a fairly long gate to lead the sheep from either pen into the race. If this gate is less than about 4ft. long it will give a bad entrance —crooked and narrow. A longer gate (5 or 6ft.) will give a straighter run

for the sheep. Some builders of yards deliberately line up the dividing fence with one side of the race as shown in Fig. 13 (E) on the principle that one crush pen is often used more than the other, particularly when handling small mobs, and pen a, with the straight side, is always filled first to start the sheep running well into the the race. As against this the entrance from the other pen (b) will not be as good, so personal preference and the particular circumstances of the case must decide the issue. Size Opinions differ as to how wide the * crush pen should be, but it should never be wider than about sft. Even that is too wide where one man is on the job, as sheep will tend to duck back past him. For one man 3ft. 6in. is a suitable width; a crush of this width is also very useful as a dosing pen. However, it is more usual to compromise with a width of 4ft. or 4ft. 6in. Occasionally ope crush pen may

be made this width and the other 3ft. to 3ft. 6in. so that a choice is available for different jobs. The reason for having two crush pens is to save , time; as soon as one is emptied the other one is brought into use and there is no delay in waiting for filling. This applies particularly when . picking fat lambs. The sheep in the full pen also act as a decoy to lure the second lot in. There is no particular advantage in having more than two crush pens. The dividing fence in a double crush pen should be railed on both sides to prevent sheep, particularly fat lambs, being bruised against the posts. The height of this and the other crush-pen fences is a somewhat controversial topic; 2ft. 9in. seems to be about the minimum, though 3ft. is very common. With high-country sheep which are seldom handled or yarded it may be necessary to have higher crush-pen fences, but they should be kept as low as practicable to allow men and dogs to get over them quickly and easily. A feature which should be included in all types of crush pens is the close boarding of the tapering section adjoining the entrance to the race. This prevents sheep seeing the man at the drafting gates or other distracting activities likely to cause them to balk before entering the race. DRAFTING RACE The drafting • race is a most important component and a bad type of race is always a bugbear. Sheep will not work well through it and a great amount of energy, on the part of both men and dogs, is wasted through it. There are several special types of races such as double races and races with by-passes which will be mentioned later. The simplest sort of race is merely two close-boarded wooden walls with the smooth sides facing each other. Races are always close boarded to prevent the sheep seeing anything but what is straight ahead. Width between the sides should be just sufficient to allow a sheep to walk along in comfort without being able to turn round. A single gate is hung opposite the end of the race and by swinging this gate in contact with one or other wall of the race sheep can be drafted two ways. The dimensions of drafting ' races vary, and canriot be set down exactly, as they depend on so many points, such as the size of sheep to be dealt with, personal preferences, etc. The usual maximum and minimum limits for these dimensions are somewhat as follows: Length, 10 to 30ft. The more ways sheep are being drafted at once the longer should be the race,, to give sufficient time for the hand to react to the visual message. Width, 13 to 20in. Frequently the race is slightly wider at the top than at ground level, but this point will be dealt with later. Height, 2ft. 9in. to 3ft. 6in., according to the type of sheep handled. This is. really a compromise, since it is desirable to have the sides reasonably high to prevent the sheep passing through from seeing men and dogs near the race, while on the other hand, if the sides are too high, it is difficult to reach over and help the sheep along if a blockage occurs.

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF SHEEP-DRAFTING YARDS

It is desirable to have the floor of the race of something more durable than earth,' as owing to the heavy traffic, earth very soon wears hollow. Concrete is excellent, but it must be left rough to, give a good foothold. It is also a good plan to continue the concrete in a fan shape beyond the race at each end, because if it ends abruptly it leads to the earth wearing away and a sharp drop being formed. If timber is used, small hardwood cleats can be nailed across at intervals of a foot or so to prevent slipping. Cleats should not be more than jin. high or they will do more harm than good by tripping the sheep. Whatever material is used for the floor it is a good plan to finish the boards of the race sides an inch or so above the floor, leaving a gap which lets the dirt out and helps to prevent it accumulating. The above is a description of the race in its simplest form. The following are some , modifications and refinements: k Adjustable Races In the case of the orthodox type of race the sides and the width between them are fixed at the time of building. The best width to use depends on the size of sheep which usually are put through the race; widths of 15 to 18in. are usual. In any case it will be

somewhat of a compromise, since frequently sheep of all sizes from large rams and wethers down to lambs will be passing through it at different times ana often in mixed mobs. Of course on a property running Merinos the race could be considerably narrower than where a large-framed line of Romneys were run. The shortcomings of a race of the wrong width are obvious. If it is too narrow, the sheep will have difficulty in getting through at all, especially if carrying a heavy fleece, while if it is too wide, they will be able to turn round and there will be a strong tendency for them to try to get two abreast and so get jammed. Worth Consideration A race adjustable for width has, therefore, much to recommend it, provided of course that its efficiency is not sacrificed in any other way. Adjustable races have been used in Australia and Argentina and appear to have given satisfaction. Probably the reason that they have not been more widely used is that most farmers think the extra difficulty involved in construction outweighs the benefits to be derived from such a race.. This is a matter for personal decision, but a few extra hours spent in building a firstclass race will be repaid a hundredfold in time saved.

There are, broadly, two classes of adjustable races. The first type could be described as an elongated funnel, the neck or narrow part of which can be altered in width to suit different sizes of sheep. In other words one whole side of the race is hinged at one end and swings in or out at the other end in relation to the second fixed side of the race. This type is not par- , ticularly recommended, as there is a tendency for sheep to enter the wide end two abreast and to jam as they approach the narrow end. The second type also has one movable and one fixed side, but the movable side is hinged along the bottom, and at any given setting the sides are parallel. The width on the floor of the race remains constant, which does not matter, since its width is ample for any sheep’s feet; but higher up, opposite the spring of the animal’s ribs, the width can be adjusted to suit any particular line of sheep being run through. Of course when a mixed line of sheep such as ewes and lambs is being drafted an adjustable race will not be very greatly superior to an ordinary one, but wherever large mobs of sheep have to be dealt with there will be sufficient “straight” lines of sheep to be drafted to make an adjustable race well worth while. The variation between the individual animals of any line will not be as

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF SHEEP-DRAFTING YARDS

great as the variation between the average sizes of any two lines, so that for each line being run through there will be a definite width of race which will give the best results. Another point to be considered is that freshly shorn sheep will need much less room than they will 12 months later with a full fleece. A refinement which assists in getting the sheep through any race with a minimum of trouble and jamming is to have a roller 3 to 4in. in diameter at the .mouth of the race; and a pair of rollers at the exit are an extra refinement which also, helps. They project very little beyond the actual wall of the race and are situated right on the corners (Fig. 15, page 135). The reason for having only a single roller at the entrance is that where two sheep try

to enter the race together the roller assists only one, usually enabling it to force its way through and thus prevent a bad jam. Tapered Races Although an adjustable race involves extra work in building, the same cannot be said of a tapered race with fixed sides, which. is very little more trouble to build than the usual type and has sufficient advantages to warrant its inclusion in any set of yards. To find the taper which would give the best results some experiments were recently carried out on a specially constructed race having both sides hinged and movable in and out. The special hinges and fasteners of this.

race are shown in Fig. 16 on this page. Sheep of all ages, sexes, and sizes were run through this race and numerous adjustments were tried. The experiments showed that even the largest ram required no more than Sin. width at the bottom of the race for its feet. This width was impractical, however, because it meant opening the race too wide at the top to give sufficient width half way down to allow for the spring of the animal’s ribs. It was also found that a width of Ilin, at the bottom and 22in. at the top (with a vertical height of 2ft. 9in.) gave the best results and accommodated the largest Romney rams and wethers carrying almost full fleeces. At the same time it was narrow enough low down to suit the hoggets as well. A tapered race built to approximately these dimensions should give general satisfaction in most parts of New Zealand. Curved Races Some sheepmen maintain that sheep will run better through a curved race, where they cannot see far ahead of them, than they will through a straight race with a clear view ahead. There is still considerable controversy about this point and finality has not been reached on the question and probably will not be until someone carries out an experiment with proper controls and on a sufficiently large scale to give definite results. Where a curved race is used a straight section must be provided at the end long enough to see the sheep in time to draft them correctly. By-pass A by-pass consists of a passage about 3 to sft. wide on one side of the race and running , parallel with it. One end of this by-pass Communicates with the crush pen by a gate, and the other end opens into one of the check pens,.

The by-pass is useful as a short cut and a more rapid means of transferring sheep than via the narrow race.

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF SHEEP-DRAFTING YARDS

For example, it is used for filling the shed. Similarly mobs of sheep can be returned quickly by this means from the check pens to the crush for redrafting when this is necessary. Gate Svstems for Draftina T ... • i + 4! y - With the simplest form of race having only a single drafting gate sheep can be drafted into two separate mobs and for a small set of yards this is usually all that is required. If the mobs require further subdivision, they are simply run through the race a second time. . _ The next logical step is the double drafting gate, by which sheep can be drafted three ways at once. In any but the smallest yards this is probably the most common arrangement.

Fig. 15 on page 135 is almost self explanatory, but there are one or two points which, though seemingly minor ones, contribute toward the smooth working of the race. The small stop-gate shown at G is an improvement on the old method of using a narrow hurdle to block the race we it is not in use It will be no t e d that the’ stop-gate must fit flush j t h the sides of the race when the gate is open. When closed it is secured with a bolt into the side of the race. In the case of a tapered race this gate is made accordingly-wider at the top and narrower at the bottom of the race (Figs. 19 and 20). At times drafting gates have been made of unequal lengths so that the handles are separated by a few inches and not likely to pinch the user’s

fingers. The same object can be achieved equally well and with less trouble simply by having one handle at the extreme end of one gate and that on the other gate set back a few inches. Sometimes handles are omitted, but this is not a good idea, as gates are not easy to control without them. Water pipes flattened and bolted to the gates make good handles. Drafting gates should always be close boarded and must swing freely on their hinges and be hung level so that they will remain in whatever position they are left, as when the operator is temporarily single handed he can then leave the gates in the proper position and go along the race to shift sheep when there is a blockage. Ample clearance must be provided between the bottom of the gate, and the ground. Naturally these gates must be strong, but they must not be unduly heavy or their inertia will prevent very rapid moving, and a heavy gate will be more liable to bruise a sheep when it is swung over suddenly in an attempt to stop the animal going the wrong way. A good safeguard is to pad the leading edges of these gates with rubber from an old tyre. Drafting gates must be a reasonable length —not less than about 3ft. 6in. —or they will form a sharp angle with the wall of the race and sheep will have difficulty in getting round such a sharp bend quickly. Nothing is worse on a drafting gate than projecting nails, nuts, or the ragged ends of bolts. These can cut and scratch nearly every sheep passing through and possibly lead to subsequent losses from blood poisoning. All bolt heads, nuts, etc., should be recessed into the wood to give a smooth, flush surface. A good drafting gate can be made on the laminated principle by nailing together two or three layers of Jin. or 7/16in. dressed planks, running one layer vertically and the other one or two layers

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF SHEEPYARDS

horizontally, as in plywood. This will give a light, strong, smooth gate, provided all nails are well hammered in and clinched over. The gates D and E in Fig. 15 (page 135) should be provided with bolts or other fasteners by which they can be fixed back to the sides of the race, giving a straight run through. An additional stop-gate, fitting in flush with the boarding, can be provided at F to close off the drafting pen B, but it is not essential because when G is closed sheep in B . cannot get out. Nevertheless such a gate is handy when a jam occurs and the drafter has to leave his position to rectify it. He can then close F to hold the sheep in the race until he gets back to his drafting gates. 4-, 5-, and 6-way Drafting A * number of the larger sheep stations in New Zealand are equipped with 4-way drafting races; that is, instead of the usual one or two drafting gates three are fitted, and this allows sheep to be drafted four ways. This arrangement works quite satisfactorily and at times when way drafting is not required one or more of the gates may . be fastened, leaving 2- or -way drafting with the other One or two gates in action. Attempts have been made at times to devise 5or way drafting systems, but these as a rule are not practical with only one man'on the job. With a long race,

however, quite a good practice is to fit two additional drafting gates about half way along; then when an extra man is available and the necessity exists sheep can be drafted two extra ways as they pass along the race. These two extra gates can be used to supplement the normal drafting gate or gates and will thus allow drafting 4,5, or 6 ways at a time. Their inclusion also makes the yards more versatile and is worth consideration when a large new set of yards is being built. Their use is illustrated in Fig. 22.

DRAFTING PENS Drafting pens are sometimes omitted, or rather, where they open direct into the holding yards, they take on the functions and name of check pens. The number of drafting pens will vary according to how many ways drafting can be done. The reason for having both drafting pens and check pens is that while the sheep are issuing into the drafting pens another man can be at work on those in the check pens raddling, counting out, etc., without interference with fresh sheep continually coming in from the race. By the time he empties the check pen the drafting pen (which has the same capacity) will be full, and he lets these sheep through into the check pen, and so the process goes on. CHECK PENS Check pens are those into which the .drafted sheep issue from the drafting pens in the case of a large yard, so their number will correspond with the number of drafting pens. Check pens may be of almost any shape, but they should not be too large or it will .be much more difficult to pick out sheep which have accidentally got into the wrong pens. A capacity. of about 10'0 sheep per pen is a good upper limit to their size to facilitate catching sheep and removing them. They may be smaller than this, but if they are made too small, any gain from easier catching of sheep will be nullified by more frequent filling and emptying and the time and labour involved. BRANDING RACE In New Zealand a branding race is not always included in a set of yards because the counting-out pens frequently open into a narrow alley which serves the purpose quite well. However, branding races are. sometimes installed, usually on large properties, and in such cases take the form of a long narrow race holding a number of sheep in single file. One or both sides of this race are kept low to give easy access to sheep. They are, of course, filled from a crush pen, usually triangular, which communicates with all the counting-out pens. Such races enable branding to be done quickly and neatly, but it is doubtful whether they are worth the extra expense. A branding race might, however, serve a dual purpose and have a foot-rot trough installed in the bottom of it, in which case there would be more justification for its existence. Cases are also on record of such a trough, but deeper, being used for eradicating leg lice. If a swing gate is placed at the end of the branding race, it will then act as a drafting race and will be found very useful as an adjunct to the normal drafting race. This concludes the. description of the drafting yards. It is beyond the scope of this article to go into yard work and the actual handling of the sheep. Such a description is hardly worth while, as the finer points which simplify this part of the work can be learnt only by practical experience.