Lesson 1Dung handling and water flow: paths, channels, scraping, collection spots and safe store placeThis part details dung paths, channels, and scraping ways for small sheds. It explains collection spots, gravity flow choices, and placing store to guard water, cut smell, and allow more building 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 count, space per cow, stall or free area sumsThis part shows sizing a 20-cow shed, summing stall or free space, and setting space per cow. It links cow ease, dung paths, and 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, 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, lights, and simple gates and hold points that cut strain and 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 way, main wind, distance from home and dung area, road pathsThis part shows placing a small cow shed on the farm. It thinks on sun way, main winds, distance from home and dung store, and paths for feed, milk take, and emergency cars.
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, moving or fixed parlours, milking path planningThis part compares milking ways for small herds, from shed hand or bucket to simple parlours. It covers cow flow, clean, tool place, 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 buildings: strip, pad, ground slab, cold protection, and no-slip coversThis part reviews base and floor choices for small cow sheds, like strip, pad, ground slab. It covers cold guard, water slopes, and strong no-slip covers 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 care layout: feed paths, rest spots, trough design, bedding picks and water flowThis part focuses on layouts for cow ease and care. It covers feed paths, rest spots, trough design, bedding picks, and flow that keeps rest areas dry and cuts 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 handling: slope, overhangs, channels, and simple top air flowThis part covers roof shapes, slopes, and materials for rain in small cow sheds. It explains overhangs, channels, pipes, and simple top vents that guard walls, yards, and 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 plans: side-to-side air, top vents, side openings, see-through roof sheetsThis part explains natural air flow and day light for small sheds. It covers side-to-side air, top vents, side openings, and see-through sheets to control heat, wet air, 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, iron portal frame, block fill, and cheap mixesThis part compares wood, iron, and block frame systems for small sheds. It explains spans, post space, supports, and mixing materials to cut cost while keeping strong and 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
