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maryjane
7074 Posts
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 Posted - Dec 11 2015 : 2:45:13 PM
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We have a local company that fabricates galvanized fencing, etc. Initially I had them build a grape arbor for me that I designed. (Most of the treated-wood fence posts I put in are now rotting--I'm soooooo over wood.) Anyway, my grape arbor will outlive me, my children, and their children. Once I had it in place, I got to thinking, why not an animal shelter built the same way (they make several versions but nothing like what I wanted).
Anyway, I drew up plans for one that would be small so that a nearby gate would still open but the next one I have them build will be eight feet deep and eight feet wide. Cost for such a shelter minus the plywood and metal siding would be $635 (the small 6x6 structure pictured here cost me $420 and I picked it up). They provide all the fasteners except for the self-tapping screws that go into the square tubing they use for the roof. They even include a type of screw to attach the plywood siding that ensures that the screw head is flush with the plywood so that siding can go on easily. I used 3/4 inch exterior plywood. I haven't gotten around to siding mine yet. Please note that both sides connect to an open face that has a cross piece that runs from side to side. In other words, it's sturdy and the structure goes together easily. They will ship. Their website is: http://www.luckyacres.net/. Just tell them you want a cattle shelter like the one MaryJane Butters designed (they're a small company).
I should also add that I put black livestock mats down on the inside. |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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NellieBelle
11217 Posts
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Posted - Dec 11 2015 : 5:46:24 PM
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| Cool shelter MaryJane. I need to make one over the weekend. I hope we are able to get to it. I don't know what we will building it out of but something the calves can get out of the winter weather. |
To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown |
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CloversMum
3486 Posts
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Posted - Dec 12 2015 : 08:50:15 AM
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TonyMan, what do you think? These would be a great shelter option.
Seeing MaryJane's shelter in person, it certainly looks well made and oh, so sturdy. I also like that then you can still personalize it with your own type of walls, metal, color, etc. So many of the prefab shelters have a limited design/color selection. And, of course, you must have oodles of options and still be able to create the farm look your heart desires! |
Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens |
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CloversMum
3486 Posts
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Posted - Dec 24 2015 : 08:20:58 AM
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Ethan likes these and so do I. I think some of these will be in our future cow plans!
MaryJane, do you think they are sturdy enough to handle a metal gate attached to the front to shut a cow inside the shelter? I'm thinking more of the 8ft x 8ft size.
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Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens |
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maryjane
7074 Posts
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Posted - Dec 24 2015 : 8:25:07 PM
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| I have an 8 by 8 on order. I was thinking I'd build it out in front using a couple of side panels and then a gate. I think hinge hardware and a latch would work fine. But I'll let you know! |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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CloversMum
3486 Posts
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Posted - Dec 26 2015 : 08:47:17 AM
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| That's an idea to build it with the panels and extend it out in front a bit. Do you think the shelter structure itself is sturdy enough to attach a gate directly to it if need be? But perhaps we just need to plan an extension in front like you are planning. I'll talk with Ethan. |
Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens |
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maryjane
7074 Posts
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Posted - Dec 29 2015 : 06:04:27 AM
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I'm pretty sure they could put a gate on it for you. Give them a call, Charlene. In fact, I'm going to ask them if they can create my foyer idea.
Little Finnegan looks so cute in ours, curled up in the deep straw, chewing his cud. |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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CloversMum
3486 Posts
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Posted - Dec 29 2015 : 9:10:54 PM
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| We'll call them when we can move forward. Can't put one up now in the snow anyway! |
Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens |
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maryjane
7074 Posts
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Posted - Dec 31 2015 : 6:06:28 PM
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| I'm going to try putting one up in the snow. I ordered the 8 by 8 fenced yard for one of my 8 by 8 shelters today, complete with 4 foot gate. |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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CloversMum
3486 Posts
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Posted - Dec 31 2015 : 7:46:38 PM
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| in the snow, eh? Much easier to do it now than in the mud, though. |
Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens |
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maryjane
7074 Posts
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Posted - Jan 03 2016 : 12:10:07 PM
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| I will let you know how it turns out, or doesn't in the snow:) |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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CloversMum
3486 Posts
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Posted - Jan 03 2016 : 3:08:50 PM
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| It's so cold out right now ... you'll freeze your fingers, even wearing gloves. |
Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens |
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CloversMum
3486 Posts
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Posted - Jan 07 2016 : 09:57:24 AM
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| Now I'm thinking of ordering one of these shelters with a divider in the middle for my bucks. We could even have a latched/hinged door on the back side from which we could feed and water the bucks. Ah, my wish list just keeps growing and growing as I think and dream. |
Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens |
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![[flourish]](/images/flourish-txt_mobius.png)
Small Portable Shelter
![Heritage Jersey Organization [logo]](/images/HJO-logo.png){kind=logo}
