Winter Livestock - How the right shed can help cattle welfare
As the cold months close in and cattle are housed in purpose built sheds to give them shelter and warmth, does your livestock shed measure up for a cosy winter home?
Housing your livestock in the right shed over the Winter is crucial to the future viability and health of your herd. Livestock sheds must have adequate ventilation and space for the animals, whilst remaining a safe and comfortable environment.
A poorly built or inadequate livestock shed can increase the risk of sickness to the herd. For example, not having enough drainage or ventilation within the cattle shed can lead to diseases such as pneumonia or mastitis.
At Graham Heath Construction all of our custom-built steel-framed cattle sheds are built to exacting standards. We know the unique demands of healthy livestock housing – from ensuring that the floor has the drainage to prevent pooling to correctly-sized ventilation to allow fresh air intake and outlets for moisture control whilst keeping cattle bedding dry.
We ensure that walls and partitions are at the right height to keep the animals draught-free, and that the building is maintained at the right temperature to control disease. If air isn’t circulating properly and it’s too warm, it can be a breeding ground for bacteria.
All stall sizes of our steel-framed cattle sheds can be built to specific sizes for your herd’s comfort, so bear in mind the breed of your animals when assessing the right size, along with generous space for feeding and watering.
We will always give advice if you’re unsure how best to design your new steel-framed cattle shed. With a strong agricultural background, we understand your herd’s needs. A happy cow is a productive cow!
