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 setups, and placing storage to safeguard water sources, cut smells, and allow 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, space per head, stall or free-range area calculationsThis lesson explains sizing a 20-cow shed, calculating stall or free space, and setting density. It connects cow comfort, dung walkways, and feeding space to daily tasks 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 practical design: safe pathways, non-slip floors, lighting, handling gates and restraint basicsThis lesson tackles worker safety and practical design in small sheds. It covers safe paths, non-slip surfaces, lighting, and basic gates and restraint spots that ease work and cut injury risks.
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 positioning and layout: sun path, main winds, distance from homestead and dung area, access pathsThis lesson shows how to site a small dairy shed on the farm. It factors in sun paths, prevailing winds, distance from the house and dung storage, and access for feed, milk collection, and emergencies.
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 setups for small herds: hand or bucket milking without parlour, movable or fixed parlours, milking pathway planningThis lesson compares milking options for small herds, from shed-based hand or bucket milking to basic parlours. It covers cow movement, cleanliness, equipment spots, and planning milking paths for 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 systems for livestock sheds: strip footings, pads, ground slabs, frost guards, and grip finishesThis lesson reviews base and floor options for small dairy sheds, like strip footings, pads, and ground slabs. It addresses frost 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: feeding paths, resting zones, feed trough design, bedding options and drainageThis lesson focuses on layouts for cow comfort. It covers feeding paths, resting areas, trough design, bedding types, and drainage to keep lying spots dry and reduce 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/snow control: slope, overhangs, gutters, and basic ridge airflowThis lesson covers roof shapes, slopes, and materials for rain and snow in small dairy sheds. It explains overhangs, gutters, pipes, and ridge vents to shield 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 strategies: cross-breezes, ridge vents, side openings, clear roof sheetsThis lesson explains natural airflow and light for small sheds. It covers cross-breezes, ridge vents, side openings, and clear panels to manage heat, dampness, and light inside.
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 10Framework systems and materials: timber frames, steel portals, brick infill, and budget mixesThis lesson compares timber, steel, and brick frameworks for small sheds. It covers spans, post spacing, bracing, and mixing materials to save costs while staying strong and buildable.
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
