Lesson 1Waste handling and water flow: walk paths, channels, scraping ways, collection spots, safe store placeDetails on waste paths, channels, scraping in small sheds. Covers collection spots, down-flow choices, store siting to guard water, cut smells, allow growth.
Alley slopes and gutter cross-section designManual versus mechanical scraping routinesTransfer channels, pits, and pump locationsLocating storage away from wells and homesRunoff control and access for emptyingLesson 2Size and space planning: cow count, crowd space, rest or free area sumsSize a 20-cow shed, sum rest or free space, set crowd levels. Links cow ease, waste paths, feed space to daily work and herd growth.
Determining herd size and growth assumptionsCalculating stall dimensions and alley widthsLoose housing space per cow and group pensStocking density targets for small herdsLayout examples for 20-cow barn footprintsLesson 3Worker safety and easy design: safe paths, grip floors, lights, handle gates, cow hold basicsCovers worker safety, easy design in small sheds. Safe paths, grip floors, lights, simple gates, hold points cutting strain, hurt risk.
Safe worker paths and cow–human separationNon-slip walkways, steps, and thresholdsLighting levels for milking and night checksErgonomic placement of tools and outletsHandling gates and basic restraint pointsLesson 4Shed facing and spot: sun track, main winds, distance from home, waste area, entry pathsPlace small dairy shed on farm. Sun track, main winds, home-waste distance, paths for feed, milk take, emergency vehicles.
Using sun path to warm or shade barn areasOrienting to prevailing winds for ventilationDistances to house, wells, and property linesAccess routes for feed, milk, and service trucksFuture expansion space and biosecurity zonesLesson 5Milk spot choices for small herds: no-parlor hand or bucket milk, move or fixed spots, milk path planningCompares milk ways for small herds, barn hand or bucket to basic spots. Cow flow, clean, tool place, plan milk paths for safe, calm work.
Hand and bucket milking in stall barnsDesigning simple parlor-less milking alleysMobile versus fixed parlor considerationsPlacing vacuum lines, buckets, and wash areasCow flow and holding space near milking areaLesson 6Base and floor setups for animal sheds: strip, block, ground slab, cold guard, grip endsReviews base, floor picks for small dairy sheds, strip, block, ground slab. Cold guard, water slopes, lasting grip ends for cow safety.
Soil bearing checks and simple site prepStrip and pad foundations for light barnsSlab-on-grade thickness and reinforcementFrost protection and perimeter insulationNon-slip floor textures and drainage slopesLesson 7Cow comfort layout: feed paths, rest spots, feed stand design, bed picks, water flowLayouts for cow ease, welfare. Feed paths, rest spots, feed stand, bed picks, flow keeping rest dry, less foot issues.
Sizing feed bunks and head spaces per cowDesigning resting areas and stall placementBedding materials, depth, and maintenanceDrainage around beds and crossoversMinimizing competition and stress at feedingLesson 8Roof setups and rain handling: slope, edges, channels, basic top air flowRoof shapes, slopes, materials for rain in small dairy sheds. Edges, channels, pipes, top vents guarding walls, yards, inside.
Choosing roof pitch for rain and snow loadsEave overhangs to protect walls and alleysGutter sizing, downspouts, and outletsSnow shedding and ice management detailsRidge vent openings and weather protectionLesson 9Air flow and day light ways: side-to-side air, top vents, wall gaps, clear roof sheetsNatural air flow, day light for small sheds. Side-to-side, top vents, wall gaps, clear sheets control heat, wet air, light.
Cross-ventilation using openings and orientationDesigning ridge vents for warm, moist airAdjustable sidewall curtains and panelsTranslucent roof and wall panels for lightBalancing airflow with winter heat retentionLesson 10Frame setups and materials: wood frame, iron portal, stone fill, cheap mixesCompares wood, iron, stone frames for small sheds. Spans, post space, braces, mix materials cut cost, keep lasting, easy build.
Timber post-and-beam frames for small barnsLight steel portal frames and trussesMasonry stem walls and infill optionsHybrid timber–steel cost-saving strategiesBracing, anchoring, and lateral stability
