Lesson 1Dung handling and drainage: walkways, channels, scraping paths, collection spots and safe storage sitesThis lesson details dung walkways, channels, and scraping routes for small sheds. It covers collection points, gravity flow ideas, and placing storage to safeguard water, cut smells, and plan for 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 2Sizing and space planning: cow counts, crowding levels, stall or free-ranging area calculationsThis explains sizing a 20-cow shed, figuring stall or free space, and setting crowding. It connects cow ease, dung paths, and feed areas to daily farm work and future herd increases.
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, non-slip floors, lights, handling gates and animal holding basicsThis tackles worker safety and easy design in small sheds. It includes safe paths, grippy floors, lighting, and basic gates and holding spots that ease work and cut 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 position: sun track, main winds, distance from home and dung area, access pathsThis shows placing a small dairy shed on the farm. It weighs sun path, main winds, distance from house and dung storage, and paths for feed, milk collection, and emergency access.
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 spots for small herds: no-parlour hand or bucket milking, movable or fixed parlours, milking path planningThis compares milking for small herds, from shed hand or bucket to basic parlours. It covers cow movement, cleanliness, tool spots, and planning milking paths for safe, calm routines.
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, pad, ground slab, dry season protection, and grippy finishesThis reviews base and floor options for small dairy sheds, like strip, pad, and ground slabs. It handles dry season protection, drainage slopes, and tough, grippy finishes 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 spots, trough design, bedding options and drainageThis focuses on layouts for cow comfort. It covers feed paths, rest areas, trough design, bedding choices, and drainage keeping rest spots dry and cutting foot troubles.
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/dry management: slope, overhangs, channels, and basic top ventilationThis covers roof shapes, slopes, and sheets for rain in small dairy sheds. It explains overhangs, channels, pipes, and basic top vents protecting walls, yards, and insides.
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-air, top vents, side openings, clear roof sheetsThis explains natural airflow and light for small sheds. It covers cross-air, top vents, side openings, and clear sheets to manage heat, dampness, 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, brick fill, and budget mixesThis compares wood, iron, and brick frames for small sheds. It covers spans, post gaps, supports, and mixing materials to save money while keeping builds strong and simple.
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
