Module 2. Feedlot design 5
2. Housing systems
Function
Housing provides a suitable environment for cattle through shade and protects feed from rain without causing waste
management problems.
Design features
Coniguration
Feed troughs bunks must be covered under South-east Asian climatic conditions. Pens can be fully or partially covered over
the feed trough only. Fully covered pens cost more but reduce efluent control requirements as there is no pen run-off. Partially
covered pens cost less, but require more complex systems for efluent control.
Orientation
Open-sided feedlot sheds should be orientated east–west to reduce direct sunlight penetrating underneath the roof during the
day. However, north–south orientation can allow early morning and late afternoon sunlight into the pens to promote drying of
bedding material.
Shed design
Sheds should have high eaves, open sides and open ridge caps to promote natural ventilation. Ridge caps must allow suficient
overhang to prevent wind-driven rain passing through the gap. Sheds must allow easy access for machinery to deliver feed and
clean pens.
Support columns
Clear-span structures are preferred. No columns should be placed inside pens other than in line with fences or on the
alley side of feed troughs. Steel columns should be encased in concrete to prevent corrosion around their bases.
Rooing
Roof pitches should be steep enough between 1:2 and 1:3 slope to promote good natural ventilation. All roof run-off should
be collected in gutters and diverted away from any efluent management systems.
Shed spacing
Sheds should be spaced apart a distance of 3–5 times the eave height to promote natural ventilation.
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6 Module 2. Feedlot design
Sample plans
Figure 3 – Typical feedlot shed end elevations.
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Module 2. Feedlot design 7
Practical examples
Good features Poor features
High eaves, good roof pitch and raised open ridge vent.
Sheds too close, and no ridge vents; poor natural ventilation.
Clear-span structure, with good pen slope. Insuficient cover for both cattle and feed.
Suficient cover for cattle and feed, and concrete encased columns.
Insuficient cover to prevent rain entering shed and spoiling feed.
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8 Module 2. Feedlot design
3. Flooring and bedding
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