What Requirements Are Needed To Have a Good Cattle Shelter

When running a cattle farm, you must consider their specific needs. You need to review diet, hydration, exercise, and protection so they can prosper. However, before focusing on these factors, you need the most vital addition to your farm—a protective shelter. Let’s look at what requirements are needed for a good cattle shelter. From providing shade to controlling their feed, here’s how a shelter helps.

Housing

Your cattle need a way to escape the elements. Whether it’s raining, snowing, or sunny, shelters offer protection. While many farm owners believe that winter is the most necessary time to provide shelter, a cattle’s natural coat will only allow so much protection against colder and hotter temperatures.

Summer heat can quickly become difficult to bear if your cattle don’t have the necessary shade from trees or structures. Additionally, lack of ventilation in a barn or building can become a considerable problem. A simple three-sided portable livestock shelter with an open front will quickly meet the needs of your livestock, making a fantastic choice to keep your cattle healthy.

Space

Another requirement needed for a good cattle shelter is providing enough pasture, allowing for exercise and manure management. If you don’t have a pasture plan in practice, you must provide the necessary feed, water, and exercise to keep your cattle healthy. Further, soil fertility, environmental considerations, and the number of animals you care for will affect the type of support you need per acre.

You may also want to consider rotational grazing—the practice of sectioning an area of pasture with fencing to confine your cattle into that area or repositioning the fence to move the animals to another area of grass growth. This will prevent overgrazing on your pasture and parasite development. Your shelter and grazing area matter significantly to keep your cattle happy.

Fencing & Feed

Fences allow your cattle to graze safely without building conflict between neighboring farms. Electric fences are among the best choices for your cattle livestock for pasture management. Your electric fence should remain strong and sufficient and high and tight to keep your herd contained. Ideally, a 4.5-foot fence made with wire is adequate.

As for feeders and troughs, it’s necessary for grazing but shouldn’t be your cattle’s only form of diet. You can use a round bale feeder, sticking with one feeder per every 10 cows. Additionally, if your cattle are in early lactation, providing a supplement will help maintain their health to prepare for breeding.