If you want to create a livestock containment building, there are many different styles and designs. One of the first things you need to consider is what the livestock containment building will be used for.
Will it be a slaughterhouse? Will it be a dairy? If so, you should decide what type of fencing will suit your needs.
There are many options that these livestock containment areas come in, so take some time to choose the one that will work best for you to make a positive impact on your farm. Here are five tips when designing your livestock containment building.
Table of Contents
1. Location
It is vital to choose the location of your livestock containment carefully. It should be central to where your livestock will be located. It should also be close to where you want the livestock to end up at night.
2. Materials
The material you decide to use to construct your cattle containment area will depend mainly on how much weight the area needs to support when moving cows. Some materials are cattle panels, wire mesh panels, and concrete.
Most livestock containment areas are made up of metal. Cattle are quite heavy, as they can weigh up to 1,200 pounds and beyond [depending on the breed]. Wood is not a wise option for this type of project due to its fragility.
3. Slope
The slope is an important factor when building a livestock containment area. The slope of the area will decide the drainage system for that area. The slope is built to allow water to run freely through it.
You do not want to end up with a muddy floor at the end of the day. It is vital to consider the degree and direction of the slope that you will be able to install.
4. Bud Box or Solid-Sided, Curved Designs
If you want to create a more friendly feeling livestock containment area for your animals, then you should go for the curved designs.
The curved design is shown to be more friendly to both cows and humans. Cows like the idea of having enough movement in their space, offering them a better escape route.
5. Fencing
The type of fencing you use for your livestock containment area will depend on the amount of space you have. If you have a large area, you need to use taller fences. What better way to protect your animals if the area is small than using a strong wire fence?
When building your livestock containment area, you need to ensure that it will last for a long time. Additionally, you can put insulation on the wooden fences before putting the wiring system on top. It will help to keep the cows warm, reducing the chances of cow mortality.
Designing a livestock containment building is a very important task for any farmer. The type of livestock that you are raising can make the change from simple to complicated and everything in between. If you find it difficult to create a design, it will help if you outsource help from companies that specialize in creating livestock containment areas.
Avoid getting into the trap of making your building too complicated. It may look good, but the type of design you choose for your livestock containment area will greatly impact the type of animals you decide to raise.
Comments