Lesson 1Waste handling and drainage: walkways, channels, scraping paths, collection spots and safe storage placesThis part details waste walkways, channels, and scraping ways for small sheds. It covers collection points, gravity flow choices, and placing storage to guard water, cut smells, and allow growth later.
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 2Sizing and space planning: cow counts, crowding levels, resting or free space calculationsThis part explains sizing a 20-cow shed, calculating resting or free space, and setting crowding levels. It links cow comfort, waste paths, and feed space to daily work and future 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-use design: safe paths, no-slip floors, lights, handling gates and animal hold basicsThis part covers worker safety and easy design in small sheds. It includes safe paths, no-slip floors, lighting, and simple gates and hold points that cut strain and injury chances.
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 placing: sun path, main winds, distance from home and waste area, access pathsThis part explains placing a small dairy shed on the farm. It looks at sun path, main winds, distance from home and waste storage, and access for feed, milk collection, and 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 5Milking spot choices for small herds: no-parlour hand or bucket milking, movable or fixed parlours, milking path planningThis part compares milking choices for small herds, from shed hand or bucket milking to simple parlours. It covers cow movement, cleanliness, equipment spots, and planning milking 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 systems for animal sheds: strip, pad, ground slab, dry season protection, and no-slip surfacesThis part reviews base and floor choices for small dairy sheds, like strip, pad, and ground slabs. It covers dry season protection, drainage slopes, and strong no-slip surfaces 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 7Animal comfort layout: feed paths, rest areas, trough design, bedding types and drainageThis part focuses on layouts for cow comfort. It covers feed paths, rest areas, trough design, bedding choices, and drainage to keep rest spots dry and cut foot problems.
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 systems and rain/dust management: slope, overhangs, channels, and simple top ventilationThis part covers roof shapes, slopes, and materials for rain and dust in small dairy sheds. It explains overhangs, channels, pipes, and simple top vents to guard walls, yards, and inside spaces.
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 9Airflow and natural light plans: cross-airflow, top vents, side openings, clear roof sheetsThis part explains natural airflow and light plans for small sheds. It covers cross-airflow, top vents, side openings, and clear sheets to manage heat, wetness, and inside 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 systems and materials: wood frame, steel portal frame, block filling, and cheap mixesThis part compares wood, steel, and block frame systems for small sheds. It explains spans, post spacing, supports, and mixing materials to cut costs while keeping buildings strong and easy to 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
