Would it be worth the trouble?

[dhibbeln]

folks,

i was given a floor scale today and have been promised a second.
Both similar to this pix...and are in decent shape...

I was wondering if anyone ever modified one to weigh sheep in a chute?
I'm think that one would just need to build a box with a press to hold the animal still...
but not sure if it would be worth the trouble....

no matter what, still is real nice for wieghing grain and the price was right....



regards,
dave h

[Janet McNally]

there is a nice diagram and instructions on how to build a wooden crate that fits on that scale in the midwest plan service sheep hand book. I don't know if these are still printed, but it is a very handy book for diy projects.

those old scales are really good scales.

as to worthiness, it depends upon how many sheep you plan to weigh and how jumpy they are. Balance beam scales can be a little frustrating if the lamb jumps around a lot. and the gates on the wooden crate are not particularly efficient. But I think you would get by with 50 or so lambs, where as if you are weighing by the hundreds, you might want something a little easier to operate.

Janet

[dhibbeln]

Janet,

It was fun showing the neighbor kids how to use pennies, dimes, nickels and quarters to tare out a bucket. Kids could believe I could wieght all 4 of them at once....

I agree, using a balance beam scale will take the patient of job and good eyes for just one sheep/lamb...I see it as a rough measure only, I can only see lots of issues, but if I can build one for zero dollars, i can sell some sheep and afford to get a dial or a set of load bars and an eltronic head I can upgrade to from the basic crate...

there is a sheep plan book from midwestern plan services for S12.00
might have to buy it to get plan for floor scale.

regards,
dave h.

Found this gem, nice graphics from the 1950's

Sheep shelters and equipment for southern states circa 1955
http://www.archive.org/details/sheepsheltersequ00unitrich
down load the pdf version

this is nice one for dial scale, nice use of block and tackle for lifiting.

WEIGHING CRATE & SCALE FRAME. CPS. PLAN 4814
http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/publist/Leaflets/Sheep/353-07.pdf

Some other free plans with scale designs are: ones are:

http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/our_offices/departments/Biological_Ag_Engineering/Features/Extension/Building_Plans/sheep/equipment/Weighing+Crate+for+Sheep.htm

http://cares.com/pubs/plans/5877.pdf

http://ejackson.net/FarmPlans/NorthDakota/sheepplans.htm

also found this link to thread on this board.

http://edgefieldsheep.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=3512

google search on following strings come up with videos and lots of commerical links to autodrafting wiegh/sort stuff.
nice stuff for the christmass wish book.


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[Woodhill]

Dave
An inexpensive solution for a platform without a cage is a large plastic garbage can. We have done large numbers of 60 day weights on a platform scale. Our system, with two people minimum, pen lambs short, catch lamb, vaccinate with CDT, place tail first in garbage can, weigh, and paint brand on neck with scourable paint. Once you find the correct angle on tail first in the trash can, it will help to immobilize the large lambs, and the small ones will stand up and jump no matter what you do. Tip the can to unload and repeat a hundred times.

Mike
Woodhill Farm

[dhibbeln]

I love the garbage can, I get a big belly laugh envisions the little one's rising like pogo sticks and escaping...
thanks

dave h.

[kris]

Dave,

This type of scale is what I use. We built a a platform weighing 20 lbs out of fiberglassed plywood that sits on the top of the scale. We then built a cage over top of the platform, not touching the platform (it slides under the cage frame). I have a ramp with sides leading into and off of the platform. My cage has guillotine gates that keep the mature ewe in the middle of the platform. My cage's frame is a recycled tire rack, the kind that tyre stores use to hold tyres types for the customer to view. It takes a bit to set up but works like a 'hot damm'.

It's cost was well under $50, not including the scale as someone gave it to me.

I love the garbage can idea for lambs. thanks for the tip.

The next time I set it up, I'll post a picture.

Kris