Cowsheds (50 Photos): Building Sheds For Cows And Bulls For 5, 10, 20, 50 And 100 Heads With Their Own Hands, Projects Of Corrals And Modern Barns

Table of contents:

Cowsheds (50 Photos): Building Sheds For Cows And Bulls For 5, 10, 20, 50 And 100 Heads With Their Own Hands, Projects Of Corrals And Modern Barns
Cowsheds (50 Photos): Building Sheds For Cows And Bulls For 5, 10, 20, 50 And 100 Heads With Their Own Hands, Projects Of Corrals And Modern Barns

Video: Cowsheds (50 Photos): Building Sheds For Cows And Bulls For 5, 10, 20, 50 And 100 Heads With Their Own Hands, Projects Of Corrals And Modern Barns

Video: Cowsheds (50 Photos): Building Sheds For Cows And Bulls For 5, 10, 20, 50 And 100 Heads With Their Own Hands, Projects Of Corrals And Modern Barns
Video: Cow Shed Plans And Designs | Dairy Farm Business | Cattle Shed Design | High Tech Cowshed 2024, March
Anonim

Cattle breeding can be a great business idea in Russia, where the demand for food remains consistently high. At the same time, there can be no question of successful business management without a proper attitude to the organization of the economy, first of all to the construction of cowsheds for keeping livestock. The correct approach to this issue can raise even a small farm, as well as vice versa - with an irresponsible attitude to the problem, even large-scale investment will not make the enterprise successful. To understand how a modern barn looks and works, let's study all aspects of the topic.

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

What it is?

The barn is a type of barn designed for keeping cows and bulls. It has its own characteristics associated with the specificity of the content of the cattle. Such a barn is divided into sections with separate stalls, each of which is equipped with its own feeders, drinkers and attachment points for tethering animals. A modern project also requires the organization of a manure canal and a window for the disposal of animal waste.

In recent decades, more and more emphasis has been placed on the mechanization of the main processes in animal husbandry while reducing the volume of manual labor. Most of the equipment used has automatic functions.

For example, different types of feed are automatically chopped, technical solutions are used for machine milking and manure transportation, if the enterprise is focused not on raising calves or meat production, but on the production of dairy products.

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

Primary requirements

The erected barn must be convenient both for the animals themselves, which will gain weight and give milk here, and for the attendants. About, how to determine the area of the future barn, we will talk below, and now we will pay attention to other aspects.

First of all, the barn is designed for round-the-clock keeping of cattle in the cold season, which in Russia is distinguished by both significant duration and severe weather conditions. It is imperative in such a situation to maintain the optimal temperature in the room for animals, which is approximately comparable to that which is considered comfortable for humans. In view of this, it is necessary to build a structure using heat-insulating materials, providing for heating, ventilation and lighting systems. The building is being erected taking into account the wind rose, focusing on the fact that cold winds, if possible, do not greatly affect the microclimate inside the barn.

Image
Image

There is another reason to pay attention to the wind rose in the region, since the smells from the barn are unlikely to make people living nearby comfortable. A stable, especially for large numbers of livestock, is never built near residential buildings or water sources that may be contaminated with animal waste. At the same time, the removal of these objects from the barn should be even more significant if the wind helps to carry unpleasant odors in an undesirable direction.

The cowshed is home to animals, so it should be both comfortable and safe. For construction, only high-quality and durable materials are chosen that cannot be destroyed even by a strong bull, will not collapse on livestock, and will not let drafts and cold pass through. And also the material used should not emit any harmful chemical fumes.

The object should be designed taking into account the sufficient free space for large animals, not only in the stall, but also in the aisles between them.

Image
Image
Image
Image

Description of species

The barn should not be perceived as any standard structure - each separate facility for breeding cattle is arranged in its own way, which depends on what goals the owner pursues. The breed of reared animals, and the number of herds, and the method of keeping (tethered or not), and even the climatic conditions of the region can influence the parameters of the object. There is no doubt that a barn for cows or large-breed bulls will necessarily be more spacious than the one that was organized for small-breed calves.

Modern barns vary in size, material and interior design.

Image
Image

By design

Structurally, there are three types of cow barns, each of which has its own characteristics

2 + 2-row. Equipped with a trapezoidal metal roof. The sections for animals are separated by side walls with installed curtains

Image
Image

3 + 3 rows. It is considered one of the best solutions for dairy farming. It is almost always equipped with a "carousel" milking line, which allows you to quickly collect significant milk yield. With such barns, it is usually necessary to build a separate milk storage unit

Image
Image

3-row. In many respects it is focused on raising young livestock. For this reason, the calf house and the milking area are not separated here

Image
Image

By material

The choice of building materials for the construction of cowsheds strongly depends on the climatic conditions in which the creation of the farm is planned. In some cases, a potential farmer has several options to choose from, with their advantages and disadvantages. Consider all popular solutions.

Metallic profile. This material in itself cannot be considered the main material for the construction of a barn, since it practically does not provide the necessary conditions for maintaining a microclimate inside the premises. In view of this, the design requires mandatory wall insulation with mineral wool and other similar materials. With the declared disadvantage, the metal profile also has a number of advantages, among which stand out a significant service life without the need for repair, a high level of strength, and also incombustibility

Image
Image

Sandwich panels. Such material is rightly considered the most relevant in the northern regions of the Russian Federation, which are distinguished by the most severe climate. The panels provide a decent level of insulation not only in terms of heat loss, but also in noise protection. If necessary, the specified insulation values can be further increased. Sandwich panels reliably protect the room from moisture penetration, and are also not subject to corrosion, which cannot be said about the metal profile

Image
Image

Wooden boards. This material is most often used at an early stage in the development of a farm or in small farms, especially in areas with large tracts of forest and a developed woodworking industry right next door. As a rule, a wooden shed, due to the strength characteristics of the wood, cannot accommodate more than 10 animals. Longevity is also not characteristic of a tree, but regular repair of an object and even erecting a new one from scratch instead of an old one can be quite cheap in wooded regions, especially considering that the owner can work with wood with his own hands without involving workers

Image
Image
Image
Image

Glued laminated timber on top of metal supports. An interesting solution for loose cattle housing that might simply not be able to withstand the sudden jerk of a large animal. Construction does not cost the customer too much. And the cobbled part can be repaired at any time without high costs, while the metal frame is reliable and durable

Image
Image
Image
Image

Awning over a metal frame. An extremely light version of the barn, the use of which is relevant only in the southern regions, as well as for breeding cattle breeds, which are distinguished by good adaptability to low temperatures. First, a metal frame is assembled, and then an awning is tied to it with the help of cables and belts. You can build such an object yourself, while the membrane transmits light, which partially solves the problem of artificial lighting inside. In most cases, the awning is chosen fire-resistant, and the metal frame does not burn. It turns out that fire safety is also at a high level

Image
Image

Preparation for construction

Even if the future barn seems very simple, in no case should you start building it without first drawing up a plan. This will help to avoid mistakes and blots that were not taken into account at the planning stage.

This rule is especially relevant if you plan to build not a modest barn for 5-10 heads, but a large-scale one - for 50, 100 or even 200 livestock units.

We draw up a project

The first - mandatory - preparation stage is drawing up a drawing. This point can be neglected only if you are not building a barn for the first time, and according to the plan, the new project is very modest - for 1, 2 or 3 cows. In other cases, you must first draw up a diagram with dimensions, rechecking several times whether all the values in the calculations converge. If you are building a large facility for 20, 30 or 80 heads for the first time, it is better not to reinvent the wheel, but to find a typical project somewhere, borrowing it in whole or in part without the slightest changes. And you should also decide for yourself which type of barn is the most practical - we considered them above.

It was empirically determined that an area of about 6 square meters should be allocated for each cow. m, and 4.5 sq. m

Image
Image
Image
Image

If they are kept together, then 10 square meters should be allocated for the cow + calf pair. m. The height of the premises is usually considered optimal with an indicator of 2.5 meters - this ensures the comfort of animals and reduces possible heat loss.

When designing a barn, up to 30 stalls are placed strictly in one row, up to 50 heads in one or two rows. More than 10 rows of buildings, designed for a thousand animals, are usually not designed. In this case, in the total area of the barn, it is imperative to lay the space for passages between the stalls, as well as premises for storing agricultural implements and feed.

For this reason, the total area of the barn for a herd of up to 100 heads, as a rule, is calculated according to the formula, where each animal has 10 square meters. m, of which the stall, as it was said, occupies only 6 squares.

Image
Image
Image
Image

Tools and materials

When the project is ready, you can proceed directly to the construction, but before that you need to prepare the necessary tools and materials. We have already talked about the advantages and disadvantages of sandwich panels and boards, we also mentioned the tent barn and its features. If necessary, you can build a barn from foam blocks, whose properties are familiar to any builder. At the same time, it is necessary to correctly calculate the amount of materials in advance with a margin of up to 15% in case of marriage, make a purchase, and also provide a place for storing inventory and building materials.

Image
Image
Image
Image

Depending on the selected main building material, the set of tools for work may differ significantly, but there is a list of standard tools that will certainly come in handy in any case. This is at least the same shovel for earthworks, as well as a crowbar, hammer and chisel for adjusting fragments of material. A construction or laser tape measure is needed in order to avoid distortions during construction. A concrete mixer will inevitably come in handy for pouring the foundation, which is required in all project options.

Of the other tools that have a high chance of being useful, we also mention a construction stapler, an electric drill, a knife, a chainsaw, a trowel, a hacksaw and a pickaxe hammer.

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

How to build?

Some budget pens can be built with your own hands at home, without the help of workers. Chasing the idea that prefabricated structures are economical and simple, it is important to do everything right so that such savings do not come out sideways.

Foundation

A solid foundation is a must for a barn, no matter how many heads it contains. If the object is small, but it is built of wood, you can make the foundation columnar, but heavier structures must be erected on top of either a monolithic or a strip base.

All options must be immersed in the ground to the depth of soil freezing (this is from 50 to 100 centimeters or more, depending on the climatic conditions of the place of residence). The top layer of soil must be removed and removed.

Image
Image
Image
Image

Floor

In most barns, the floor is either concrete or wood, but always at a slope of about 5 degrees towards the nearest drain. Thanks to this, under the influence of the laws of physics, animal waste is sent to its destination - in collecting trays. To ensure such a slope, the floors themselves are made at least 10 cm above the ground level.

The concrete floor is stronger and more reliable, it lasts up to one and a half decades. But it is cold, so a warm bedding is required on top of it. The wood is not as strong, but it is warmer. The bad news is that the wood absorbs ammonia. Such a floor will need to be changed at least once every 5 years.

It is necessary to design trays (gutters) so that the shovel can freely enter them, allowing manure to be removed. Typically, the depth of the ditch is about 15 cm and is twice as wide.

The sewage system should extend outside the premises, ideally collecting manure in a special tank.

Image
Image
Image
Image

Walls

The stone walls are rightly considered the most durable, but they do not meet the sanitary requirements for the barn, since they are very cold. Brick and foam blocks are better, but additional insulation is still needed to guarantee a normal indoor climate.

Although above we have given many options for possible materials, nevertheless, the most sensible solutions in the conditions of Russian winters are adobe brick and shell rock (shell rock) - these are inexpensive materials with low thermal conductivity. The optimal wall thickness is usually estimated at one and a half bricks, foam blocks are placed in one row. As already mentioned, the ideal height of the room at which the animals will be quite comfortable is 2.5 m.

Image
Image

Roof

Experienced farmers advise covering the roof of the barn with slate - an inexpensive and at the same time practical material. To begin with, a plank frame of planed material is mounted with a secure fit of individual fragments to each other. Thermal insulation is laid on top of the plank layer, and then the roof is lined with slate sheets.

It is advisable to mount the roof at least with a single slope and with a noticeable slope, since this will help to effectively remove snow from it.

A gable roof with an attic is considered even more practical - it provides increased thermal insulation and creates additional storage space, for example, hay.

Image
Image

Windows and doors

Pets need daylight hours, but you don't need to spend money on artificial lighting by installing windows in the barn instead. Not only the windows themselves can be transparent, but also swing or sliding doors made of double-glazed windows or polycarbonate.

Although light is necessary for animals, for safety, windows are placed above their heads (as a rule, at least 150 cm from floor level). To maximize light access, the orientation of the windows is usually chosen to be east or south.

Image
Image
Image
Image

Ventilation

The smell of the barn is not only unpleasant, but also dangerous - without a regular supply of fresh air, the room will turn into a real breeding ground for pathogenic bacteria. In theory, ventilation can be natural, but then it is necessary to think it over correctly even at the stage of drawing up a plan. In this case, you need to be sure that the ventilation of the room will not be carried out by air that does not have time to heat up.

Much more commonly used forced ventilation in the form of a pipe with an exhaust fan. It is made curved to prevent precipitation from entering the room.

Image
Image
Image
Image

Manure removal

The parameters of the waste trays have already been mentioned above, but it is worth dwelling in more detail on the manure storage to which the system is connected. During the year, just one cow produces about 10-12 tons of manure, so the tank for collecting waste from the entire livestock of the farm must be large enough to cope with such volumes.

The manure storage is being built not far from the barn, but not very close. The depth of the collection pit is usually relatively small - 0.5 or 1 meter, but the other parameters are more significant - 2.5 by 2.5 meters. It is important to prevent the penetration of ammonia into the soil, therefore, a layer of clay 20-25 cm thick is laid out at the bottom of the tank, and the walls themselves are concreted or densely laid out with bricks. The bottom becomes uneven, with some bias towards another engineering structure - a slurry tank.

Image
Image
Image
Image

In storage, manure is rammed no more than 2 meters high, after which it is sprinkled with a decimeter layer of straw on top and poured with slurry. There should be a roof above the storage, and in regions with a large amount of atmospheric precipitation, the tank is made completely closed, which also accelerates the decay process.

The mentioned slurry collector is a well constructed below the level of freezing of the earth in the region. From above, it is necessarily covered with a shield.

Image
Image

Lighting features

It is better to entrust the wiring of the electrical network to a professional, unless you have previous experience of such work. Correct lighting fixtures can help you succeed in farming.

For starters, forget about the barn, which has no light at all - in complete darkness, animals will be regularly injured, which will not contribute to the business in any way. Even with windows, night lamps are still needed. Usually for this purpose, 10 W red lamps are chosen.

Image
Image
Image
Image

In the stall, the illumination rate is approximately 50 lux, the feeding area is illuminated brighter - by 75 lux. The rest of the territories, designed mainly for people, are illuminated much more intensively: there should be up to 200 lux. In this case, LED lamps are considered the most suitable, since they provide intense light with low energy costs.

Indoor lighting should simulate real daylight hours, it is unacceptable to blind cows in the morning, sharply sending them into darkness in the evening. From 4 to 8 in the morning, the lighting is gradually increased, and it "gets dark" in the barn between 16 and 20 hours.

Therefore, the switches must allow smooth adjustment of the lighting level.

Image
Image
Image
Image

Internal arrangement

At the design stage, it is necessary to provide for all the engineering structures necessary for the full life of animals, including feeders for hay, drinkers and other necessary equipment. Clean water should be available to animals at any time, but in a large barn it is physically impossible to apply it with buckets. Means, you should consider how to make sure that large quantities of it enter the gutters automatically.

The rest of the necessary equipment must be placed according to logic and practice - that is, so that the devices are equally conveniently accessible from all corners of the barn. Or to be practical in some other sense. For example, it is logical to install the same feed crushers next to the feed storage itself, so as not to carry huge amounts of hay back and forth.

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

If you have never built a barn before, especially for a large livestock, it is better to use standard projects of such structures, where everything you need is already provided in an optimal combination. Otherwise, you run the risk of making mistakes that cannot be corrected without serious effort.

How to properly equip a barn is described in the next video.

Recommended: