7 Best Sheep Weighing Slings For Beginners That Old Shepherds Recommend

Trying to get an accurate weight on a squirming lamb using a bathroom scale is a fast track to frustration. But knowing that weight is non-negotiable; it dictates feed rations, dewormer dosage, and lets you know if a lamb is failing to thrive. The right weighing sling transforms this chaotic chore into a quick, calm, and repeatable process, making you a more effective shepherd.

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Weaver Leather Livestock Sling for Durability

When you buy a tool from Weaver, you expect it to last. Their livestock sling is no exception. It’s typically made from heavy-duty vinyl-coated canvas or nylon, with reinforced stitching and tough D-rings that won’t bend under pressure. This isn’t a flimsy piece of gear you’ll replace next season.

This sling is an investment in durability. It can handle being dragged through mud, getting soaked, and being used on lamb after lamb without showing significant wear. The material is tough and resists tearing, which provides peace of mind when you’re hoisting a heavy, kicking lamb.

The tradeoff for that toughness is a bit of stiffness, especially when new. It might feel like overkill for a tiny newborn, but it truly shines with rapidly growing market lambs. If you want to buy one sling and use it for a decade, this is your pick.

Sydell Lamb & Goat Sling for Easy Handling

Sydell equipment is known for its thoughtful, practical design, and this sling is a perfect example. Its standout feature is the inclusion of four leg holes. This simple addition is a game-changer for anyone new to handling livestock.

By securing the lamb’s legs, you dramatically reduce its ability to kick and struggle. This not only makes the weighing process safer for you but also much less stressful for the animal. A calm animal gives you a steadier reading on the scale and makes the entire experience quicker.

For a beginner working alone, the security of leg holes can’t be overstated. It gives you the confidence to handle the animal correctly without needing a second set of hands. While it takes a few extra seconds to get the legs in, the payoff in control and safety is well worth it.

Premier 1 Supplies Mesh Sling for Airflow

The most obvious feature of the Premier 1 sling is its mesh construction, but the benefits go far beyond just looks. This material choice solves several practical problems that shepherds face every day. The open weave allows for excellent airflow, which is a small but welcome comfort for the animal on a hot summer day.

The real advantage of mesh is how easy it is to maintain. You can douse it in disinfectant, hose it off completely, and it will hang dry in a fraction of the time it takes for a canvas sling. This is crucial for biosecurity and for preventing the buildup of grime and bacteria.

While some might worry that mesh is less durable than solid canvas, a well-made one is surprisingly tough. It’s constructed from heavy-duty, rot-resistant poly material. This is the ideal sling for anyone who prioritizes easy cleaning and fast drying.

Tuff-Stuff Products Calf Sling: A Versatile Pick

Don’t let the name fool you. While designed for calves, a sling like this is an incredibly versatile tool for a hobby farmer with a mixed herd. Its larger size and robust construction make it suitable for animals that would overwhelm a standard lamb sling.

This is the sling you reach for when weighing mature ewes, large rams, or even goats and alpacas. If your farm includes more than just sheep, this one piece of equipment can serve multiple purposes, saving you money and storage space. It’s built to handle weights well over 200 pounds.

The compromise is in the fit. It will be baggy and less secure on a small, young lamb. But if you’re looking for a single sling to handle your biggest animals and can manage a looser fit on the small ones, this is the most practical, multi-species option available.

Little Giant Weighing Sling for Small Flocks

For the hobbyist with just two or three ewes, a massive, overbuilt sling is unnecessary. The Little Giant sling is designed for exactly this scenario. It’s affordable, lightweight, and gets the job done without any bells and whistles.

Made of a durable but lightweight nylon, it’s easy to fold up and tuck away in a barn cabinet. It’s perfectly sized for young lambs, providing a snug and secure fit that helps them feel safe. This isn’t a sling meant for a full-grown ram, and it doesn’t pretend to be.

This sling represents an accessible entry point. It allows a new shepherd to get a crucial piece of equipment without a large upfront cost. It’s the right tool for the most critical weighing period—the first few months of a lamb’s life.

HORSEMEN’S PRIDE Sling: Simple and Reliable

Sometimes the simplest design is the most effective. This type of sling is often just a rugged, rectangular piece of heavy poly or nylon with D-rings at each end. There are no leg holes or complicated straps, just pure, simple function.

The beauty of this design is its speed. You can slip it under a lamb’s belly and have it hooked to the scale in seconds. It relies on the animal’s own weight to create a secure cradle, and once you develop a rhythm, it’s an incredibly efficient way to work through a group of lambs.

This sling does require a bit more confidence from the handler, as a particularly wiggly lamb has more freedom of movement. But for the shepherd who values speed and no-nonsense reliability, this classic design has been a trusted tool for generations.

Farm-Tuff Heavy-Duty Sling for Larger Lambs

Newborn lambs are one thing, but a six-month-old market lamb is a powerhouse of muscle. The Farm-Tuff sling is built to handle that transition. It’s specifically designed with higher weight capacities and extra reinforcement in mind.

You’ll notice features like wider straps to better distribute weight and reduce pressure points on the animal. The stitching is often doubled or tripled at stress points, and the hardware is unapologetically heavy-duty. This sling is built with the assumption that the animal inside it will be fighting back.

You might not use it in the first month, but you will be glad you have it when you need to get an accurate finishing weight before processing. It’s about having the right tool for the entire job, from birth weight to market weight.

Choosing Your First Sheep Weighing Sling

Your first decision comes down to a simple question: do you need a specialized tool or a versatile one? There is no single "best" sling. The right one for you depends entirely on your flock, your other animals, and your own confidence level.

To find your perfect match, consider these factors:

• Your Confidence: If you’re nervous about handling a squirming animal, a sling with leg holes like the Sydell is your best friend. It provides maximum control.
• Your Flock Size & Type: For just a few lambs, a simple, affordable option like the Little Giant is perfect. If you have a mixed farm with goats or even calves, the Tuff-Stuff calf sling is a smarter long-term buy.
• Your Environment: Working in a hot, humid, or muddy area? The fast-drying Premier 1 mesh sling will make cleanup much less of a chore.
• Your Priority: If you believe in "buy it once, buy it for life," the sheer durability of the Weaver sling is hard to beat.

Ultimately, a weighing sling is a tool for better management. It allows you to gather the data you need to make informed decisions about health and nutrition. The goal is to choose the one that makes this essential task as low-stress as possible—for both you and your sheep.

A reliable weighing sling is one of the most valuable, yet overlooked, tools on a small farm. It’s a small investment that pays huge dividends in animal health and your own peace of mind. Choosing the right one helps you move from simply keeping sheep to truly understanding them.