new cubicle building

[Forever Fendt]

I need to design a building to hold 300 cubicles it will need a wall of concrete panels down the middle to split into two, cow access will have to be from one end as will scraping out, feeding will be down both sides under a 10 ft canopy or may be 8ft the plan is to put self locking yokes above a 2ft panel down both sides any suggestions would be helpful width of passages width of cow access from passage to passage and how many and how wide would they need to be and roof pitch and height to eaves would like an open protected ridge any help or pictures please

 

[Splitpin]

there's some good pictures down in 'pictures', the thread called new cubicle shed and parlour I think by Fraserb. Might give you some ideas

 

[newholland]

Yokes down shed sides are not great - everything wet, silage covered in snow and also wide RSJ posts are difficult for a feed barrier.

Go for centre feed passage,- all nice and dry, 150 cows either side.
@Fergieman and @Scholsey

There is a good book on cow building by future farming - well worth buying, tells you what size everything needs to be.

 

[Forever Fendt]

Yokes down shed sides are not great - everything wet, silage covered in snow and also wide RSJ posts are difficult for a feed barrier.

Go for centre feed passage,- all nice and dry, 150 cows either side.
@Fergieman and @Scholsey

There is a good book on cow building by future farming - well worth buying, tells you what size everything needs to be.
View attachment 156724

have reservations about all the points you raise above ,as said even moving any silage not used from the barrier with 24" post is not going to be easy and wonder if intakes are going to be down on days when its raining or blowing a gale , looking to make a saving on the set up but no to much a compromise the main saving will be no side cladding ,no conc panels to both sides also a big saving on steel as the main span could be 20 ft less and this will bring the steel sizes down

 

[Fraserb]

We probably only have 1 or 2 days a year where the feeding gets wet, do get some blown into the shed in really strong winds but doesnt seem to bother the cows, we have the panels on the outside edge of the post so clearing up isnt an issue

 

[Forever Fendt]

We probably only have 1 or 2 days a year where the feeding gets wet, do get some blown into the shed in really strong winds but doesnt seem to bother the cows, we have the panels on the outside edge of the post so clearing up isnt an issue

what about scraping on the inside with the posts in the dung passage and are they not a problem with cows bumping in to the posts how far is it to your first heal stone from the outside of the main steel post

 

[newholland]

(You have a very tidy farm fraserb and do a very good job, so not trying to be negative by comments below)

Having the panels outside the steel posts is not great as you then need a 24" concrete step to keep scraper from hitting posts.
Cows then standing on a concrete step and eating is not good - all that pressure on feet and yet another concrete edge to damage feet.


If you want out side feeding - you don't want clear span - you want lots of smaller shed posts inside building down cubicle runs to then allow you a 6" wide rsj post on outside with a panel and yoke slotted down inside and no obstacles for scraper or feeding. It actually works out cheaper than clear span as well due to less steel.

 

[Forever Fendt]

(You have a very tidy farm fraserb and do a very good job, so not trying to be negative by comments below)

Having the panels outside the steel posts is not great as you then need a 24" concrete step to keep scraper from hitting posts.
Cows then standing on a concrete step and eating is not good - all that pressure on feet and yet another concrete edge to damage feet.


If you want out side feeding - you don't want clear span - you want lots of smaller shed posts inside building down cubicle runs to then allow you a 6" wide rsj post on outside with a panel and yoke slotted down inside and no obstacles for scraper or feeding. It actually works out cheaper than clear span as well due to less steel.

looking at doing like you say but struggling to get outside posts smaller than 8x8 with a span and 2 lean too with a 15 deg roof, I am going to look at two fair size units tomorrow to get some ideas but any thought very much appreciated

 

[Fraserb]

(You have a very tidy farm fraserb and do a very good job, so not trying to be negative by comments below)

Having the panels outside the steel posts is not great as you then need a 24" concrete step to keep scraper from hitting posts.
Cows then standing on a concrete step and eating is not good - all that pressure on feet and yet another concrete edge to damage feet.


If you want out side feeding - you don't want clear span - you want lots of smaller shed posts inside building down cubicle runs to then allow you a 6" wide rsj post on outside with a panel and yoke slotted down inside and no obstacles for scraper or feeding. It actually works out cheaper than clear span as well due to less steel.

Yeah we have a step to fill the posts 80mm high, the main passages are rubber, the step isnt though, doesnt seem to cause much issues with feet.

 

[Fraserb]

what about scraping on the inside with the posts in the dung passage and are they not a problem with cows bumping in to the posts how far is it to your first heal stone from the outside of the main steel post

Its 4410mm from the outside of the post top the heelstone.

 

[Fraserb]

(You have a very tidy farm fraserb and do a very good job, so not trying to be negative by comments below)

Having the panels outside the steel posts is not great as you then need a 24" concrete step to keep scraper from hitting posts.
Cows then standing on a concrete step and eating is not good - all that pressure on feet and yet another concrete edge to damage feet.


If you want out side feeding - you don't want clear span - you want lots of smaller shed posts inside building down cubicle runs to then allow you a 6" wide rsj post on outside with a panel and yoke slotted down inside and no obstacles for scraper or feeding. It actually works out cheaper than clear span as well due to less steel.

Should have said in the earlier post its not my farm I just work there.

 

[newholland]

You wont save any money going outside feeding. I have been there. The roof area is the same - you need an overhang which if added together = centre feed passage.

We have an overhang 2.5m long and 4m high. The rain and snow blows 30ft into shed. When TB testing in yokes down outside......in horizontal rain......both me and the vet agreed......a nice dry centre feed passage would have been better.

Birds.....you are stuffed on outside feeding.....at least feeding inside you can bird proof like Worthy farm if you had too.

If your going for 12 deg roof, then 1 panel along the sides and then very spaced out Yorkshire boarding to get your ventilation, but keep weather away from cubicles - basic side cladding wont break the bank.

Really you want no side cladding ....go dutch......go with an eves height of only 2.5m......put cubilces right on the edge no problem....give the cows a nice view ...... then 22.5 deg roof pitch and you have a million miles of height in the middle for your tractor / feeder wagon......perfect steep roof ........ ventilation through an open ridge with middle of feed passage for rain to fall on.

 

[newholland]

No, but the farm would not be there with out people like you!.....your boss would not be doing that on his own!

 

[newholland]

looking at doing like you say but struggling to get outside posts smaller than 8x8 with a span and 2 lean too with a 15 deg roof, I am going to look at two fair size units tomorrow to get some ideas but any thought very much appreciated

I have a 6.5m lean too + 2.5m overhang sat on 6" posts - just increase the steel thickness and you can easily keep your rsj posts to 6" dimensions.

 

[Forever Fendt]

Should have said in the earlier post its not my farm I just work there.

looking at the work you have done and the interest you show I would think you are part of a team and not just work there

 

[Forever Fendt]

I have a 6.5m lean too + 2.5m overhang sat on 6" posts - just increase the steel thickness and you can easily keep your rsj posts to 6" dimensions. View attachment 156788

thanks for putting picture up that looks a good set up how many cows does that shed hold and what vent do you have in the middle sorry for so many questions

 

[Blue.]

My main cowshed is like this one except under one roof.

My cows come in and out from one end and my feed goes in from the opposite end,as NH posted I can shut the blinds and keep it warm and bird free.

 

[newholland]

120 cows + 10% extra cubicles.

galebreaker light ridge. - but to be honest I would make one myself next time......it was very expensive and you could easily do similar with some roof lights and mini "Z's"

The width of the vent is worked out according to width of shed - I can't remember what the sums are.

 

[O'Reilly]

Look on the dairyco website. If you can't download info, you can request a book about housing, its actually something useful from dairyco

 

[bigw]

Get out a visit a few farms that is the best way to see different building types. If it was me I would go for a central feed passage with a high pitched roof.