Help me design a cattle shed

[Redpower2188]

Hello everyone! New member but I kept seeing this forum pop up when I preformed google searches so I figured I better join. I am fairly new to the entire world of cattle. I was not raised on a farm or anything and only started row crop farming in 2020 Last spring I put together a Lean to so my little family could get some bottle calves but as the steers continued to grow and get bigger I have realized I do not have a "good" barn for cattle. So I am asking for some help! Most barns and everything I see online seems to be more "confinement" or feedlot design but I need some ideas for a good all around barn. something I can use from calving to finish. I keep trying to modify what I currently have but I seem to get into the habit of change one thing get a few months in and go oh crap I should have maybe changed this or done it like that!

So is there anyone that could help me design a new facility? or know of someplace that could maybe help me along ? Currently I only have 3 steers 2 Heifers and I am going to be renting a bull for some time but I want a facility that would work for 10-15 head tops! thanks for any help!

 

[farmerjan]

Welcome to Cattle Today... first things first... please go to your name top right, down to account details, down to location... and put in a state, or area or something... A barn will mean alot of different things according to whether you are in the cold north like @Silver or @gcreekrch or @chevytaHOE5674 ... or in TX or in Fla....

From there, there are members in many places that can maybe help you... and if you are near any other members, maybe you could go by and see what they have, what they like and what they would have done differently....

 

[StrojanHerefords]

Here is a minimalist design for a working facility.

 

[Redpower2188]

Welcome to Cattle Today... first things first... please go to your name top right, down to account details, down to location... and put in a state, or area or something... A barn will mean alot of different things according to whether you are in the cold north like @Silver or @gcreekrch or @chevytaHOE5674 ... or in TX or in Fla....

From there, there are members in many places that can maybe help you... and if you are near any other members, maybe you could go by and see what they have, what they like and what they would have done differently....

Oh absolutely I completely forgot about mentioning where I’m from. I am located in NE Iowa. Currently I have a very small lean to building and a small fended area

 

[Ebenezer]

Put the chute under the roof so that the sun does not cast shadows across it, keep working alleys 12' or less and have an all weather load out gate/area. Have water, power and a place to feed if possible. Make the roof high enough to get the tractor under the roof.

 

[farmerjan]

Oh absolutely I completely forgot about mentioning where I'm from. I am located in NE Iowa. Currently I have a very small lean to building and a small fended area

Mentioning that you are from Iowa in a post will not help people to remember it . It needs to be added like I said, so it shows up under your avatar everytime you post.

 

[Warren Allison]

Oh absolutely I completely forgot about mentioning where I'm from. I am located in NE Iowa. Currently I have a very small lean to building and a small fended area

That's good. but please add your location to your profile

 

[Redpower2188]

View attachment 50438
Here is a minimalist design for a working facility.

How would you tie something like this into a barn or some kind of shelter ?

 

[SBMF 2015]

Oh absolutely I completely forgot about mentioning where I'm from. I am located in NE Iowa. Currently I have a very small lean to building and a small fended area

Welcome to CT! NE Iowa, you up around Maquoketa?

 

[Redpower2188]

Welcome to CT! NE Iowa, you up around Maquoketa?

About 2.5hr away I’m north of Waterloo about 45 min

 

[StrojanHerefords]

How would you tie something like this into a barn or some kind of shelter ?

I have this set up with Priefert panels. Priefert Bud Box That set up will allow you to move your corral where ever you need it.
What are your plans? Are you going to graze the crop residues or edges of the fields?

 

[Mountaintown Creek Ranch]

I built this one a few years back it's nothing fancy but it definitely it's great for working cattle. The room is just big enough to store everything I need.
By closing some gates you can load them out to a trailer or you can turn them right back out into the corral or into the pasture.
The most important recommendation would be; build it so you can work it by yourself because with cattle, every time you need a second person no one will be around to help.