Cattle Panel Barn (or hoop house)

[Carol K]

Has anyone done a cattle panel barn? I'm sure I have read that it has been done, but I can't find it in my saved links.
Here's my situation. Got about a month until the snow hits, and we get a lot of snow in Western NY, but I just got my house sold and no barn at the new place, If I can't get one of those carports delivered then it will have to be cattle panel building. I was thinking of sinking some T posts and then attaching the panel (somehow) to the top of the T post, maybe 4' up, that will give me more height, but will it be strong enough in the snow or how do I brace it more? Pics of someone elses may help,

Thanks
Carol

[CGUARDSMAN]

here is one i did for my hogs to get out of the sun

[mwtslf23]

If i new how to attach pics, i would post our hoop house.

[KayJay]

Check out this thread if ya haven't already....
http://homesteadingtoday.com/showthread.php?t=190409

[Windy in Kansas]

You do know that cattle can winter outside if they have some windbreak shelter don't you?

Not the best by any means but range cattle are used to tough conditions.
If there is a cold hard rain and it lingers for more than a few hours and is followed by subzero temperatures and wind that is when they really need shelter.

The cattle still need dry bedding to rest on.

[Up North]

You might check out a big Lumber/ Building Center Store in your area. Many of them have the pre-built mini-barns which can be delivered on short notice.

[Dragonfly acres]

Carol,
I'm posting a couple of pic's I got of our panel shelter my husband put up for our Dexter's. hope it helps!
he used 2 panels, a piece of modified roofing (can buy it at menards-lowes etc) you can use a trap also
but don't know how it would stand up to weather in your area we are in the windy city, lots of heavy
winds and snow and very cold!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
he also used a piece of plywood for the back which helps it stay put. he still has to wrap the flaps and
finish the front to help keep most of the wind out. he put it together in a couple of hours. and fits
3 grown Dexter's or 6 Dexter calf's comfortably.
total cost was under 50.00 per shelter & a couple of hours of labor.

[gimpy]

I did it with tarps over hoops and the problem was the tarp only lasted a year, but if you can put metal over it, then you effectively have a quanset(sp) hut. That should work well provided it's anchored properly

[Dragonfly acres]

I have another suggestion (quick fix) if your looking for a quick fix and sheltering more cattle in the same shelter.
you can buy a ready made shelter and 2 to 4 cattle panels depending on what size you buy.
put up the shelter which takes about 1 1/2 hours then stake down the panels inside running long ways so the cattle
don't rub up against the walls of the shelter.
the shelters stand up to our weather, I have a few of them up.
then when you get a barn built you can always
move it and use the shelter for hay storage, etc..
we are using these quick fixes until our barn gets done which wont be for a few more years.

you can buy these shelters cheaper, just look around we got ours for 189.00 and was well worth every penny.

[Dragonfly acres]

I did it with tarps over hoops and the problem was the tarp only lasted a year, but if you can put metal over it, then you effectively have a quanset(sp) hut. That should work well provided it's anchored properly

yes, tarps don't last, that's why we used modified (rubber) roofing instead of a tarp.
you can buy a roll between 30 to 60 dollars in black or white w/black
on the other side.
(our roll cost 75.00 a roll, but is used for schools, hospitals etc.)
my husband is a commercial union roofer and works with this roofing system almost everyday.
he guaranteed me the roofing would last for up to 20+ years (on a flat roof)
if properly maintained.
or my money back! Lol
(now i have to find a way to explain that to my Dexter's )

[bybiddie]

Dragonfly Acres - I have been looking for something to cover my hoop house and never thought (or knew) about modified roofing! Is it something you could get a a lowe's or home depot? And do you mind if I ask how it was fastened to the panels - the plywood side, too? I used the plans in the chicken forum - it worked great and I was able to do most by myself, except for positioning and attaching the cattle panels. Yours looks great!

[Dragonfly acres]

Dragonfly Acres - I have been looking for something to cover my hoop house and never thought (or knew)
about modified roofing! Is it something you could get a a lowe's or home depot?

yes, in the roofing department, or check your yellow pages for roofing supply's some warehouses
sell to the public you wont get it cheaper, you will pay the same price but the material will
be 100% better then lowes or home depot.

And do you mind if I ask how it was fastened to the panels - the plywood side, too?

I would have to ask my husband when he gets home later, I wish I had a picture of the back side
but I don't have a camera I took these pictures with his aunts camera when she came up to visit
and wanted to make some shelters.
I think I can use my cell phone to take a picture then transfer it on here I will try it. hope it works.

Yours looks great!

Thank you!
its all my husbands work & ideas,
I'm just in charge of the Honey to do list! Lol
and boy is it long!

[bybiddie]

Originally Posted by Dragonfly acres

yes, in the roofing department, or check your yellow pages for roofing supply's some warehouses
sell to the public you wont get it cheaper, you will pay the same price but the material will
be 100% better then lowes or home depot.

I would have to ask my husband when he gets home later, I wish I had a picture of the back side
but I don't have a camera I took these pictures with his aunts camera when she came up to visit
and wanted to make some shelters.
I think I can use my cell phone to take a picture then transfer it on here I will try it. hope it works.

Thank you!
its all my husbands work & ideas,
I'm just in charge of the Honey to do list! Lol
and boy is it long!

LOL!!!! I have one of those --- but I'm the only 'honey' around!!! It's amazing what you learn by your mistakes... I'd appreciate knowing how he attached both the plywood & the roofing - I'll be checking the yellow pages this weekend. Winters here are either mild or arctic - you never know!