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Sheep Shelters & Housing Built for British Farms

Better airflow, natural light and lasting protection for your flock

Durable, well-ventilated and proven across the UK, our sheep shelters provide reliable protection for your flock, from lambing through to overwintering.

  • Superior structural strength

  • Unique cover tensioning system

  • Better ventilation, natural light & warmth

  • Healthier sheep, lower costs

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Sheep housing

Strongest on the market

Use of 50mm & 60mm pre-galvanised steel tube, heavy duty foundation tubes, two-piece hoops, extra strong windbreak mesh

Unique cover tensioning design

Our unique cover tensioning design allows the hoops to be raised and locked after cover fitting, creating a drum-skin tight finish for better durability in severe weather

Better ventilation & health outcomes

Single-span structures offer superior ventilation which is beneficial for livestock health. Also linked benefits: reduced bedding costs, lower incidence of twin-lamb disease, improved welfare, lower mortality

Economical use of space

Wider tunnels reduce “lost” livestock space when including a central passage resulting in an efficient use of space.

Unique cover tensioning design

Designed and manufactured in the UK by Northern Polytunnels. Full service: consultation, bespoke design. Aftercare & maintenance support.

Light, warmth, and health benefits

Use of natural light reduces energy / lighting needs. Shortwave radiation warms & dries, reducing bedding cost. Warmer environment helps feed conversion ratio, lower feed cost

Efficient Sheep Housing for Any Farm Size

A polyhouse is ideal for flocks of any size and is particularly well-suited to upland or hill farms where flat ground is scarce. Single-span structures also offer superior ventilation, improving livestock health and welfare.

Wider tunnels reduce the cost per square metre and make layouts more efficient. For example, our 9.15m (30ft) wide tunnel is the most economical choice: with a 3m central feed passage, only around one-third of housing space is lost. By comparison, a 6.4m (21ft) tunnel with the same passage would lose nearly half. Choosing the right width can have a major impact on efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Why opt for a sheep housing polytunnel?

As well as winter housing many customers use polytunnels for general storage as well as a dry place to house sheep before and during sheering, making them a year-round investment. They are becoming increasingly popular as calf housing and poultry sheds, as well as housing for dairy herds, beef cows, goats and pigs.

  • Shortwave radiation from daylight creates warmer and drier housing conditions – reducing bedding costs.
  • A warmer environment increases the food conversion ratio – lower feed cost.
  • Reduced incidence of twin-lamb disease.
  • Light provides natural vitamin enriching sunshine and warmth for stock.
  • Increased use of natural light means lower energy/lighting requirements.
  • Content livestock; improved welfare; lower lamb mortality.
  • Lower cost than traditional buildings.
  • Natural light keeps potentially harmful bacteria, fungi, moulds and odours at minimum levels.
Sheep Shelter

Speak with our team to begin your sheep shelter build

By ordering from us you can expect

Consultation

Tailor your structure and internal systems to meet your exact needs.

Bespoke Design

Advanced 2D & 3D modelling, structural analysis, and full project engineering support.

Manufacture

Precision-built in our 2,000m² UK facility, processing 1,200 tons of steel annually.

Delivery

Reliable nationwide delivery from our 10,000m² dispatch hub and dedicated fleet.

Construction

Expert on-site project management with specialised equipment for efficient installation.

Aftercare

Ongoing support and maintenance to ensure long-term performance.

Sheep Shelter Specifications

Feature / Spec18 ft (5.5 m)21 ft (6.4 m)24 ft (7.31 m)27 ft (8.24 m)30 ft (9.15 m)
Steel Tube (O.D.)50 mm50 mm60 mm60 mm60 mm
Straight Side HeightUp to 1.17 mUp to 1.17 mUp to 1.17 mUp to 1.17 mUp to 1.17 m
Overall Peak Height2.97 m3.05 m3.20 m3.28 m3.66 m
Hoop Spacing5 ft / 6 ft5 ft / 6 ft5 ft / 6 ft5 ft / 6 ft5 ft / 6 ft
Cover Tensioning✔ (raise + lock)✔ (raise + lock)✔ (raise + lock)✔ (raise + lock)✔ (raise + lock)
LengthAny length availableAny length availableAny length availableAny length availableAny length available
Our 30 ft sheep house reaches a peak height of 3.66 m, and all widths use our unique raised-and-lock cover tensioning system to maintain a drum-skin finish.

Sheep Polytunnel Layout Tips

When planning your sheep housing, the right layout makes a big difference to animal welfare and cost efficiency.

  1. Go wider where possible – wider tunnels mean less wasted space when you include a central passage.
    Example: In a 30ft (9.15m) tunnel with a 10ft (3m) passage, only a third of space is lost. In a 21ft (6.4m) tunnel, nearly half the area is lost.
  2. Central feed passages improve efficiency – easier access for feeding and stock movement.
  3. Design for natural livestock flow – keep lying, feeding, and water areas connected and accessible.
  4. Ventilation is key – single-span tunnels allow superior airflow, improving flock health.
  5. Plan for lambing – allocate extra lying space during lambing, especially for twins.
  6. Tailor to your site – slope, drainage, and prevailing winds should guide final design.

💡Pro Tip: Wider tunnels don’t just save space — they also reduce cost per square metre, making them the most economical option for larger flocks.

⭐ Golden Rule: Space for feed access is more critical than overall lying area, it prevents stress and ensures every ewe gets the nutrition she needs.

Feeding & Water

  • Prioritise forage face and trough space over overall area — every ewe must access feed without competition.

  • Install water bowls/troughs where they’re less likely to foul or freeze.

  • Position feed troughs for easy removal of waste feed and regular cleaning.

Health & Welfare

  • Separate lame or sick ewes into a hospital pen to give them special care and prevent disease spread.

  • Provide enough space during lambing for lying and feeding — overcrowding increases stress, disease risk, and welfare problems.

Management & Handling

  • Set up pens for efficient cleaning, stock handling, and smooth movement of sheep.

Sheep Space Allowance

The space allowance and group size for housed sheep should be determined according to age, size and class of livestock. Some examples of current good practice, with adequate ventilation and well-bedded on straw indoors, are set out below.

Category of SheepLying Space (m² Per Ewe)Trough Space Per Ewe (Concentrates)Forage Face Per Ewe (Restricted Forage)
Large Ewes (over 80kg live weight)1.2 - 1.4m² floor space per ewe during pregnancy50cm28cm
Large Ewes After Lambing (with lambs at foot up to six weeks of age)2.0 - 2.2m² floor space per ewe with twin lambs50cm28cm
Medium Ewes (60kg - 80kg live weight)1.0 - 1.2m² floor space per ewe during pregnancy45cm25cm
Medium Ewes After Lambing (with lambs at foot up to six weeks of age)1.8 - 2.0m² floor space per ewe with twin lambs45cm25cm
Small Ewes (40kg - 60kg live weight)0.9 - 1.0m² floor space per ewe during pregnancy40cm20cm
Small Ewes After Lambing (with lambs at foot up to six weeks of age)1.7 - 1.8m² floor space per ewe with twin lambs40cm20cm
Lambs Up To 12 Weeks Old0.5 - 0.6m² floor space per lamb--
Lambs And Sheep 12 Weeks To 12 Months Old0.75 - 0.9m² floor space per lamb/sheep--
Rams1.5 - 2.0m² floor space per ram--

Speak with our team to begin your sheep shelter build