Establishing high-welfare conditions for housing commercial herds of calves, flocks of sheep/goats, and ground-nesting birds in livestock farming requires a few crucial aspects to be in place within any structures that are used for rearing these animals.
Although a variety of structures have been used for this purpose over many centuries, most traditional buildings failed to provide the level of shelter required for high-welfare rearing and growth of animals, usually failing to provide adequate protection for youngstock.
Investing in high-performing structures for housing livestock ensures protection for the animals from the elements, increases herd health by improving hygiene and reducing the spread of diseases, and offers high-welfare spaces for lambing, calving, and rearing of young stock while also promoting healthy growth for optimal yields from commercial farming operations.
Read on and explore some of the key factors to consider when purchasing and deploying portable animal shelters as modular livestock housing on your farm, along with some helpful tips on how to select the right one for your agribusiness.
What are the key factors to consider when deciding on the right configurations of portable animal shelters for livestock housing?
Each farm presents its own unique set of requirements that can determine whether the selected shelter will be an ideal match. Selecting a livestock shelter based on the following conditions can ensure that you meet the right requirements with your purchase.
Making a selection based on the following criteria can ensure that you have a shelter that is an ideal fit for the requirements of your farm:
Type of livestock: Modular structures for livestock housing can offer promising results in housing a wide array of animals ranging from sheep, dairy cows, goats, ground-nesting birds, beef cattle, pigs and even special livestock types including ground-nesting birds. Picking a structure that aligns well with the specific needs and requirements of your chosen animals is paramount for optimising results.
Climatic conditions: The climatic conditions your area experiences should be a key consideration when purchasing livestock housing. Your focus should be on providing good ventilation, natural lighting, and abundant space to keep your animals housed comfortably in high-welfare and near-natural enclosed environments.
Herd/flock size: The number of animals you plan to house is another key consideration when deciding on the type and size of portable animal shelters to be deployed as the ideal housing for livestock on your farm. The space within the structure should depend on the number of animals housed. Provide sufficient space for your animals to comfortably lie down, rest, and move around—this reduces the chances of injury among animals, decreases stress, and promotes healthy growth and yields.
Herd/flock composition: The needs for shelter vary among different breeds and different makeups of commercial herds and flocks. For example, flocks mainly comprising cows or ewes ready to breed will have to accommodate suitable spaces for lambing and calving. Moreover, it’s important to research each breed’s optimal conditions and the ideal composition beforehand to select a structure that can provide this.
What are the main characteristics to look for in specific portable animal shelters when making your purchase?
Once you narrow down the livestock shelter options, there will be several aspects of each structure that can play a vital role in your purchase. This depends on the specific requirements of housing livestock and the needs of your farm.
Here are some key features to consider:
Size: The shelter should be large enough to accommodate your entire flock or herd comfortably, offering enough space for them to freely move around and lie down. It is vital to choose a modular shelter that is scalable in case you’re planning to grow the size of your flock in the short term.
Durability: The portable animal shelters you choose should be made from sturdy materials that can withstand the elements and resist wear and tear, saving you money on repairs and maintenance. It is advisable to seek a mobile and expandable shelter that serves as a modern and adaptable alternative to traditional steel sheds.
Ventilation: Farm animals require plenty of fresh air to stay healthy, so by ensuring that the shelter has good ventilation to keep fresh air circulating, you will be able to enhance the health and well-being of your livestock significantly. This will also assist in reducing costs incurred for the treatment of diseases and infections.
Drainage: The shelter should have a good drainage system in place to prevent water from pooling and causing the animals to become wet or muddy, as they can act as a breeding ground for bacteria and parasites. Effective drainage, therefore, can reduce the risk posed to your flock from infections.
Access: The location and ease of access into the structure—including ease of moving the animals to and from the structure, cleaning, maintaining, and disinfecting the interior, as well as accessing veterinary assistance within the structure—will determine its efficiency within the operation.
Cost: Consider the asking price of the shelter as well as any additional costs you will have to incur for installation and upkeep. It is recommended to consider a high-quality shelter made domestically in the UK, as this will usually offer you swift and cost-effective delivery and deployment timeframe.
Climate control: Considering the seasonal changes in temperature and weather, the structure should protect your livestock from all elements, such as rain, wind, and extreme temperatures, as well as reduce the impact on herd health and treatment costs from seasonal infections and parasites
Lighting: Providing abundant lighting within the shelter to mimic the natural day/night cycle can help reduce stress levels among animals and promote natural behaviours and healthy growth rates. Good natural lighting can also help regulate the circadian rhythm, which can contribute towards natural and relaxed behaviours in animals and impact feeding behaviour positively for better productivity.
Speak to an expert at McGregor to guide you in identifying the right livestock structures for your farm
Our teams of specialists have helped commercial livestock farms across the UK for over four decades in swiftly deploying industry-leading modular shelters for high-welfare livestock housing, lambing, and calving—Agri Span. Reach out to our team and explore the best layout for your farm.
We can assist you in integrating the best setup that meets all of the specific livestock housing requirements on your farm for an investment that will maximise results and yields from your livestock business for decades into the future.