Course: SLF 155 Small Farm Maintenance and Operations

Reading & Audio Visual

Farm Buildings
Farm Buildings

Building Type | Function | Material | Use
Hay Barn | Hay storage | Metal, Wood, Plastic | Hay can be stored in a separate building/structure or can be stored in part of a bigger equipment barn or building. Hay storage is usually needed for smaller square bales rather than large, round bales. It is common practice to wrap large round bales in protective coverings so they can be stored outside and still be protected from the elements.
Grain Silos | Grain Storage | Metal or Wood | Silos are the most common structure for grain storage. Maintenance for silos should include checking the base for holes and patching them to prevent pests such as mice from doing damage to the structure.
Equipment/Tool Shed | Equipment & Tool Storage | Metal, Wood, Plastic | A shed is a structure to store working tools, large equipment and implements. Many sheds come pre-fabricated kits and can be purchased from home improvement stores, farm supply stores and online resources .
Finishing Building | Livestock Sale Preparation | Metal or Wood | A finishing building is used to “finish” or prepare livestock for sale. Swine and cattle can be housed in a simple hoop style building with concrete floors and drainage. For chickens, you can use a separate chicken coop or a section of a larger coop.
Sick Area/Containment Building | Sick Livestock Containment | Metal, Wood, Plastic | It is good practice to have a separate area, small barn or building to house sick livestock. A sick area can be any type of material or even three sided structure depending your needs.
Farrow House | Swine Birthing | Metal or Wood | Farrowing houses can be made from any material and design that allows for safe birthing. The key characteristics required are that they allow the livestock to stay clean, dry and warm.
Birthing Building/Barn | Livestock Birthing | Metal or Wood | Birthing Barn/building needs will depend on what type of livestock and the type of operation you choose. For many types of livestock, birthing inside and away from the elements is important.
Three Sided Shelter/Winbreak | Wind Protection | Metal, Wood, Plastic | Three sided shelters can be made of any material to provide shelter for livestock. Windbreaks can be made of metal, wood, plastic or even trees and shrubs planted for the specific purpose of sheltering livestock or crops from high winds.
Hen House/Chicken Coop | Chicken Containment | Metal, Wood, Plastic, Wire | There are many different types and styles of chicken coops. They can be made with just about any material from wood and metal to wire and pallets. Which style you choose will depend on your particular farm operation. Proper ventilation is also an important consideration.
Dairy Barn/Building | Dairy Operations | Metal or Wood | Dairy operations require special buildings for feeding and milking. Buildings on a typical dairy farm can include: a milking parlour, hay storage, calving house, feed storage, manure tanks, and machine and equipment storage.
Fruit & Vegetable Building | Fruit and Vegetable Sale Preparation | Metal or Wood | Structures for fruit and vegetables consist of growing buildings like green houses and also harvesting buildings for sorting, packaging, storage and shipping produce.
Green House | Indoor Produce Production | Metal, Wood, Plastic or Hoops | Green Houses can be constructed with a variety of materials. Frames can be made of wood, steel tubing, PVC pipe or cattle panels. Clear covers can be made from plastic (poly or pvc). Green Houses can also be made with recycled materials like old windows and doors or they can be constructed from a pre-fabricated kit.