Port-a-huts for cattle?

PACrofter · #1 01/10/12, 09:14 PM

I use port-a-huts for pigs, and they're really nice. I'd like to get some for paddocks where cattle and pigs will run together, but I don't want to pay an arm and a leg for cattle scratching posts. Has anyone used port-a-huts for cattle? How have they withstood the attentions of the cattle?

BlackWillowFarm · #2 01/10/12, 11:09 PM

I use calf hutches for my calves. Not sure if they're the same as port-a-huts, but my two weaned Jersey steers can push them around pretty easily at 6 and 9 months old. The older steer doesn't fit inside anymore, but the little guy can still get in out of the rain. Seems like they get moved around every couple of weeks by play or rubbing or whatever.

For what it's worth. I wouldn't put pigs in with dairy cows.

PACrofter · #3 01/11/12, 05:51 AM

Thanks, Carla. The Port-a-hut web site shows that it carries calf hutches as well. Not sure they're the same kind you use, but it strikes me that while they are strong enough for calves they probably wouldn't stand up to full-grown cattle.

Heck, I've been using them for my American Guinea Hogs, and I'm not sure I'm looking forward to putting my full-sized Berkshire sow in one...but the company carries some that are big enough for me (I'm 6') to stand up in.

Callieslamb · #4 01/11/12, 07:04 AM

Are you trying to keep them out of the winter wind or summer sun?

I built a shelter from cattle panels and tarps. It is 12x16. It isn't the prettiest thing and we need to find a way to get some light inside. We roll up the sides in the summer and use it for shade for them. With the sides down in the winter, they can easily get out of the weather and there's room enough that if I had to I could feed them inside also.

randiliana · #5 01/11/12, 09:29 AM

http://www.magnumfabricating.com/windbreaks.html

This is what we use for cattle up here.

randiliana · #6 01/11/12, 09:30 AM

http://www.magnumfabricating.com/windbreaks.html

This is what we use for cattle up here.

G. Seddon · #7 01/11/12, 09:30 AM

Yes, we have several very small ones (no assembly) for mini donks and two large ones (I'd guess 12' x 20' or so) that required assembly. The cattle will use the large ones occasionally, but be aware that one cow is capable of standing in the opening and keeping the others out. I imagine a bull would have a jolly good time trying to move it around and would probably dent it in the process. Calves like them. They do provide a safe haven from wind and rain, very snug when you get in there.

For cattle, I would actually prefer a run-in shed that a number of animals can get under without one hogging the whole thing.

PACrofter · #8 01/11/12, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Callieslamb

Are you trying to keep them out of the winter wind or summer sun?

I built a shelter from cattle panels and tarps. It is 12x16. It isn't the prettiest thing and we need to find a way to get some light inside. We roll up the sides in the summer and use it for shade for them. With the sides down in the winter, they can easily get out of the weather and there's room enough that if I had to I could feed them inside also.

Not to be facetious, but both summer sun and winter wind, as well as the rain. For the pigs, that is. My plan isn't to provide room in them for the cattle - there are enough trees around that they can pretty much find all the shelter they need. But we lost two litters of piglets last year when the sows didn't protect them enough from the rain, and I want to make sure they can find shelter when they farrow, regardless of the season.

The reason I started this thread is that I do want to run the cattle in with the pigs as part of a pasture-reclamation project, but wasn't sure if the port-a-huts would withstand the cattle. GSeddon confirms my fears that the cattle would see them as playthings and probably trash them at some point (thank you, GSeddon!). I'll probably need to put the port-a-huts in a part of the paddock that I can protect with electric fencing to keep the cattle out.

Thanks, everyone!

PACrofter · #9 01/11/12, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randiliana

http://www.magnumfabricating.com/windbreaks.html

This is what we use for cattle up here.

...and I suspect you know a thing or two about wind!

Do you need to anchor these windbreaks to keep the animals from moving them around, or are they heavy enough that neither wind nor beast will budge them?

G. Seddon · #10 01/11/12, 05:37 PM

PACrofter, I think port-a-huts are designed specifically for farrowing pigs, aren't they?

They work quite well for the little donkeys, who aren't into demolishing things like a bull would be. I've even had donkeys foal in the large ones, much to my horror!

Do you anticipate problems running pigs with cattle? Won't the pigs root up the ground too much? I know nothing about raising pigs.

PACrofter · #11 01/11/12, 06:51 PM

I'm not sure the port-a-huts are designed *specifically* for farrowing pigs; they have a range of sizes and on the web site they're broken into categories like goats, farrowing, calves, ostriches / emus, etc.

It may well be that they were originally designed for farrowing...not sure. I do have to say that they're awesome for pigs, though. I have some of the smallest size for my pigs and they're perfect. Well, not quite perfect - I'd like to put them on a wooden platform to keep the pigs out of the mud and prevent their straw from disintegrating in the mud. But far closer to perfect than I would ever get around to building from scratch!

My pigs do root, but I find that if they have plenty of space to roam around in, the rooting isn't that much of a problem. My ground is rough enough that the pigs' activities aren't going to be any more threatening to the cows than the ground already is. And so far I haven't had any issues. Some old timers said the best way to scare a cow is to put a pig nearby, but mine are so used to each other that there's no problem. In fact, I find the combination is hard to beat for clearing scrub and re-opening old pastures. They can both be contained fairly easily with three or four strands of electric wire and their eating habits complement each other.

randiliana · #12 01/11/12, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PACrofter

...and I suspect you know a thing or two about wind!

Do you need to anchor these windbreaks to keep the animals from moving them around, or are they heavy enough that neither wind nor beast will budge them?

We get a bit of wind

They don't really have to be anchored down, they are heavy enough that the cattle don't really move them. But high enough winds can topple them over. Takes quite a wind to do that though. They are made to be easily movable, that way you can move the cattle around and not have to move the manure later.