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Post by ittybittyfarm on May 8, 2012 17:08:43 GMT -5
It's time to build a shelter for our dexters. Our area isn't particularly hot in the summer (Alberta, Canada), but we do have cold and snowy winters.
Should I build a shelter that is appropriate to the size of the cattle? ie...height of 6 ft max? Or build a regular sized shelter...more like a 10 ft roof? Are there benefits to either?
Thanks for your help
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Post by Dahdo on May 8, 2012 17:38:13 GMT -5
I'd suggest a shed enclosed on the 2-3 sides that your winter storms come in from. The picture below is as basic as they get. Your roof pitch may have to steeper to handle the snow load. Be sure to find a design that can handle whatever the maximum snow load in your area is. Height in front and back obviously will be different. Make sure it is comfortable not only for your Dexters, but for you, and maybe your tractor if you want to use it to clean out the shed!
If you don't have trees, your Dexters will enjoy the shed even on days when it is not that hot. It's sunny and 70 here today and my bunch still goes to the shed for their afternoon siesta.
Good luck!
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Post by lakeportfarms on May 9, 2012 5:20:02 GMT -5
All good suggestions...I would add a few things to the list... Either make it movable so you can relocate it to different places depending on the season, or set it up so you can get in with the tractor to clean. However, moving them presents a challenge to tying it down to the ground that you'll have to work out.
Also, since you're dealing with some greater extremes in climate than most of the others here, set it u so you can close it up a little during the colder months with some heavy tarps on the top of the front (this will still allow access with the tractor) especially if you're in an unprotected area. If you can set it up so you can easily raise them with rope and pulleys all the better. You could add some openings to the other sides as well for the summer months to help with the circulation while still providing shade and shelter.
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Post by rezzfullacres on May 9, 2012 6:05:51 GMT -5
Back when we were living in upstate NY alot of the farmers would use the topography of the land to assist in buildin shelters. If you have a hillside you can dig into it, the earth is the best insulation there is. A shorter building is great for the cattle not so great when you have to clean it out, I would say at least 8 feet of height...6 feet may be a bit short if that is the max the other side would be 4-5 fet tall to allow slope and that would be uncomfortable to work in...We prefer a 12' wide building both for construction and function, we just find they work out better and allow more flexibility...
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Post by ittybittyfarm on May 9, 2012 9:05:33 GMT -5
Thank you for all of the helpful advice... I didn't know that leaving it open on the one side would be better for them. We were thinking of building much like the photo posted by Dahdo, but with having half of the opening closed off. I agree as well with rezzfullacres about the height...definitely need to be able to get our ittybitty tractor in there for cleaning  |
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Post by prairieboy on May 9, 2012 19:41:58 GMT -5
Other than standing in it yourself or getting a tractor inside, the height does not make too much difference if the cattle don't rub the top. I can well imagine that Dexters in Ireland have been housed in all sorts of dark little short caves and building over the years.
For not too much money we are just now putting up a 6 foot tall quonset hut style building. The length of the building depends on how many section we bolt on. This is a half round building, enclosed on 3 sides. It is strong, rain and snow shedding and very moveable with a small tractor. But I do not believe you could get a tractor inside to clean it up though. The 6 foot height is at the top of the arch and is just fine for an animal shelter but not a people work area.
I have not used this brand but Port-a-hut is available in many places.
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Post by midhilldexters on May 10, 2012 6:07:57 GMT -5
I'd try and build something on skids so you can move it. I also think the deeper you can make it for your climate the better. Of course if you have too many animals to fit in it, some will get left out. How about one of those portable tin garage type things? They don't generally have sides on them, just a tine roof, but you can add a back and 2 sides just leaving the front open.
Carol K
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