DIY Sheep-Show Stand

Build a secure show stand to train young sheep to stand confidently.

Many sheep shows require you to provide your own stand, which can then be used in various other activities such as grooming and milking. Owning your own sheep-show stand can also help you find extra business, allowing your sheep to get involved in everything from petting-zoo gigs to veterinary-school classes. Building your own stand is easily customizable to fit any budget, providing you the opportunity to save money without compromising quality.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Straightedge
• 2 wood boards, 2 inches by 6 inches by 50 inches
• 2 wood boards, 2 inches by 6 inches by 25 inches
• 2 wood boards, 4 inches by 4 inches by 12 inches
• 2 wood boards 4 inches by 4 inches by 40 inches
• Plywood approximately 3/4-inch thick, 28 inches by 50 inches
• Saw
• 60 wood screws, approximately 3 inches
• Drill with 1/2-inch drill bit

Instructions

1. Place the two 50-inch boards on their edge, approximately 25 inches apart. Position these so they are parallel. Set the two 25-inch boards in between them on their edges so they lay perpendicular about 47 inches apart. Screw the 50-inch boards into the ends of the 25-inch boards. This will form your frame.

2. Position your frame flat on the ground and place a 12-inch board in two corners that make up one 25-inch board. Screw these down through the platform frame, forming the back two legs of your sheep-show stand. Use at least four screws for each board piece to keep things secure and stable.

3. Ensure the back two legs are perpendicular to the ground, then place a 40-inch board inside of the two unused frame corners. Secure this with screws into the other boards, forming the front two stand legs.

4. Measure a 50-inch piece of plywood to 3.5 inches down from the top-left corner and mark a line horizontally. Repeat with the right side until the two lines connect. This should result in a 3.5 inch-by-2.5-inch square that includes a corner of plywood. Rotate the whole piece of wood a quarter of a turn and repeat. Saw out the two squares.

5. Lay the plywood on the stand so the cut corners will fit the 40-inch boards. Screw the plywood to the frame, with it fitting around the boards. Screw a 15-inch sheet of plywood to one of the 40-inch boards as well as a 28-inch board. Finish by screwing the last 15-inch piece to the opposing 40-inch wood piece. Now both sheets of plywood will be on the external portion of the stand.

   Secure with remaining screws and bolts, testing the stand to support a proper amount of weight before placing sheep or other livestock on top.

References

• Dairy Goat Journal: Dwarf Goat Milkstand Plans