Sun shelter required?

[Dirtslinger]

I'm new to cattle, and so far have always had scrub areas for the cows to find shade in. They don't use it a lot, however I figure all animals should have shelter whether they ask for it or not.

Well now I've got a 1/2 acre out in the full sun needing brushcutting. It'll take 10-14 days for them to get through this spot. Yeah not a speck of shelter.

Should I do it? These are dexter breeding stock, they aren't fattening up for market. Would like to hear what others do. Thanks!

[gone-a-milkin]

You could rotate them onto it for the over-night grazing, and take them off it during the hottest part of the day. Cattle don't consume too much feed in that late afternoon heat anyway. Either that or build a shed. You could divide the 1/2 acre into smaller paddocks to get them to graze it off cleaner too.

[Dirtslinger]

Thanks for the help. Looks like a temporary shed it is. Moving them between fields without fencing is still beyond me!

[bigmudder77]

really you can get by with stacking round bales (if you have them) and throwing a tape over them and strapping it all down

but they tend to attack the bales till they get use to them

might not be smart if they can push the bales over on to another one thats laying down that could make you a little sad

[cowkeeper]

If you can dig postholes in your ground, the simplest and sturdiest is a modified pole shed. Just get four or six longish cedar posts for the uprights, set 3 feet or so into the ground (if it's easy digging you can hand-auger the holes) Make the two (or three) front posts longer than the two (or three)back ones, so the roof will have some slope. Fasten some 2X's firmly at the top of the posts front and back to hold the rafter ends (size depends on the span). 2X6 should be big enough for the rafters, 2 feet apart. Use econo or scrap 2X4's at right angles on top of the rafters in rows about 1 1/2 ft or so apart, then find a few sheets of used steel roofing and screw to the 2X4's. You should not need diagonal bracing as the posts being in the ground give it stability. So, you have an open shed with a sloped roof, cheap and easy. You can close in one or more sides for wind protection.