Cow Lean To / Loafing shed thoughts and plans?

[Timmer92]

Hi all,

We started planting a 4 acre pasture last year in anticipation of feeder cows in the spring of '21. We will be buying 2 cows each spring and slaughtering them in the fall. Our local ordinances mandate that we have a lean to for the animals. At the same time, we have to get a building permit if we go over 120 square feet in size. I'm looking at thoughts for the design and building this within that size limitation? Also, I'm fully capable of designing this myself, but if anyone had any plans I'd take them! I'm thinking something like this:



I'd put a gate over one side and store hay and feed in it, maybe with a floor.

Thanks!

 

[BukitCase]

There's one outfit in our area that sells portable buildings

Portable Shelters, Freestanding Panels, Bale Feeders, Cattle Guard -...

There are several pics on that link - you can click on a pic, then right click and choose "view", then click the + and that enlarges the pic to about 900x1200 pixels so it's big enough to see more detail. I saved a few of 'em this way, wife's wanting to get another horse(s)

Your zoning laws may be different, ours doesn't consider anything that isn't "permanent" as taxable OR permit required - notice most of the stuff at that link (it also has their website listed) is on skids and is framed with recycled 2-7/8" schedule 80 (drill stem?)... Steve

 

[EddieWalker]

120 square feet is just 10x12. Just thinking out loud, I would build a stall that big and extend the roof out 12 or 16 feet for as much cover as possible.

What defines a building? Does it have to have four walls? Can you make it bigger if you only have three walls like a loafing shed?

 

[RickB]

Structures and Environment Handbook | MWPS - MidWest Plan Service

A little dated, but there’s a hoard of info here.

 

[Granthol]

I made mine using pallets for the walls and posts between. Simple metal roof.

 

[hslogger]

I think you need to figure out if you're gonna clean it out now and then and how you will do it? By hand and wheelbarow or tractor?
Where do your predominate winds and weather systems come from? I would want the closed walls to the weather side.
You might think of live stock panels inside of some sort of removable wall for cleaning. Those cows will rub up against walls and wreck em in time.

Don't use metal tin walls. nope nada negatory. They will ding em up, worst case scenario really wreck them and possibly cut themselves.

 

[aamyotte]

What did you use to take apart the pallets without breaking the boards?

 

[Timmer92]

Thanks for the feedback. Here are some answers to your questions, and some additional of my own.

Reminder that we will only have cows from spring until fall. They won't see winter. The only cold they will see is the inside of my freezer! Also, we are only planning for 2 cows. Both my wife's dad and brother do this and it works out well.

Ordinances require a shelter to be fully enclosed on 3 sides, so that is my plan. The open side will face East.

My plan is to split the structure into 2 (equal?) sides, one for hay and feed storage and the other for the cows The cow side will have no floor and the inside walls and middle separation will be lined with 2x6 or or other wood panel to avoid structure damage. I was thinking I'd put a floor on the hay side.

Questions:

The majority of the prefabricated ones I'm seeing are 11' deep. What's so special about this number? In my mind I was thinking 10' max.

I hadn't thought about height. Do I need it tall enough for a tractor to clean it out?

When code refers to 120 sq feet limit (for not needing a building permit), is that inside measure, outside measure, or overall footprint including roof overhangs?

 

[Topzide]

That's the no.1 question. Some jurisdictions count the footprint on the ground and others count the drop edge (total amount of the roof overhang). I'd make a call on that one!

 

[Redlands Okie]

Your going to need to call your local enforcment department for the answer on that. It will vary by area and possibly by inspector. Would be a good idea to get a reply on paper. E-mail would be a good way to do that without being obvious.