Post by barefootfarmer on Nov 21, 2014 21:57:21 GMT -5
Help me figure this out, please.
Right now I have a 14x12 metal sided "milk shed" that has two stalls on either side, hot water and electric. I stand in the middle aisle and milk the cows by machine two at a time. But, it's kind of a tight fit. One stall I don't have enough room to work all the way around it- it's right up against the wall. The end of the stalls, the way the cows enter is open to the field. Usually a waiting cow likes to stick her head up the back end of the cow being milked. And then the cows have to walk out backwards, once they are done milking. Sometimes I feel like I work air traffic control at a busy airport.
We were going to build a loafing shed for the winter for the cows. Now I'm thinking that I'd like to build it so that I can milk in it and convert my current milking shed to a pour room instead of hauling everything back to the house.
How should I set it up so that I can still milk two cows at a time, but also use it for the cows to get out of the rainy, cold weather? It needs to fit 8 loafing cows(eventually), no calves.
What would you use for the flooring? How deep should I make it? I think part of my current problem is that I didn't make it deep enough. It's 12' deep currently. And I need to be able to keep the cows that are "loafing" away from the cows that are being milked. How would I get them out of the loafing area and into the milk stall?
I have a hard time picturing how everything would work together. And I don't have tons of money, but I am getting a return from my 2013 taxes finally (and obviously want to buy cows and cow accessories ) Well, maybe no more cows. But definitely improve our working conditions for both me and the bovine beauties.
Is it a doomed idea to think of splitting an area for loafing and milking? It can't turn into a "barn", not enough money.
What would be the best way to make this work out? Thanks for any ideas.
Right now I have a 14x12 metal sided "milk shed" that has two stalls on either side, hot water and electric. I stand in the middle aisle and milk the cows by machine two at a time. But, it's kind of a tight fit. One stall I don't have enough room to work all the way around it- it's right up against the wall. The end of the stalls, the way the cows enter is open to the field. Usually a waiting cow likes to stick her head up the back end of the cow being milked. And then the cows have to walk out backwards, once they are done milking. Sometimes I feel like I work air traffic control at a busy airport.
We were going to build a loafing shed for the winter for the cows. Now I'm thinking that I'd like to build it so that I can milk in it and convert my current milking shed to a pour room instead of hauling everything back to the house.
How should I set it up so that I can still milk two cows at a time, but also use it for the cows to get out of the rainy, cold weather? It needs to fit 8 loafing cows(eventually), no calves.
What would you use for the flooring? How deep should I make it? I think part of my current problem is that I didn't make it deep enough. It's 12' deep currently. And I need to be able to keep the cows that are "loafing" away from the cows that are being milked. How would I get them out of the loafing area and into the milk stall?
I have a hard time picturing how everything would work together. And I don't have tons of money, but I am getting a return from my 2013 taxes finally (and obviously want to buy cows and cow accessories ) Well, maybe no more cows. But definitely improve our working conditions for both me and the bovine beauties.
Is it a doomed idea to think of splitting an area for loafing and milking? It can't turn into a "barn", not enough money.
What would be the best way to make this work out? Thanks for any ideas.