Choose the production system before the building
A shed is not automatically good because it is expensive. Start with species, age, group size, climate, production purpose, land, labour, power reliability, manure route and expansion plan. The building must protect welfare while making feeding, observation, cleaning and safe handling easier.
| Housing type | Best fit | Strengths | Main risks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open-sided, naturally ventilated | Warm climates; poultry, goats, sheep, cattle | Lower power demand and construction complexity | Rain entry, predators, wind direction and insufficient airflow in still weather |
| Environmentally controlled/tunnel | Intensive poultry or pigs | Tighter control of heat, airflow and performance | High capital, power dependence and rapid losses during equipment failure |
| Deep-litter floor | Poultry and some housed livestock | Simple, insulating and behaviour-friendly when dry | Wet litter, ammonia, foot damage, flies and pathogen build-up |
| Raised or partially slatted | Some goats, sheep, pigs and poultry systems | Separates animals from waste and can ease collection | Leg/foot injury, poor slat dimensions, draughts and untreated waste below |
| Loose housing/free-stall | Dairy cattle | Movement, group management and mechanised feeding | Lameness, dirty beds, heat stress and competition |
| Pasture with field shelter | Suitable cattle, sheep, goats and poultry | Forage access and lower building intensity | Weather, parasites, predators, fencing and pasture damage |
| Species-specific pens/hutches | Rabbits, young stock or controlled breeding | Observation and group control | Confinement, heat, poor flooring and inadequate movement |
Non-negotiable design controls
- Orient and ventilate for the local sun, prevailing wind, humidity and seasonal storms.
- Separate clean rainwater from dirty yards, manure and wash water.
- Provide reliable clean drinking water, drainage and access for waste removal.
- Use non-toxic, cleanable materials with safe floors and no sharp projections.
- Create quarantine, sick-animal, maternity/brooding and feed-storage zones.
- Protect against predators, rodents, wild birds, theft, flooding and fire.
- Plan emergency ventilation, alarms or backup power where animals depend on mechanical systems.
Measure the shed, not just the animals
Track temperature, humidity, ammonia or air quality where relevant, litter or bedding moisture, water consumption, animal distribution, coughing, panting, huddling, foot condition, mortality and equipment downtime. Animals clustering away from an area often reveal draught, heat, wetness or access problems.
Expansion and siting
Leave room for manure storage, vehicle access, feed delivery, quarantine and growth. Check planning permission, setback, drainage, groundwater and neighbour requirements before construction. Use the Animal Shed Selector as a first-pass brief, then involve local building and livestock specialists.