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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2015 15:31:22 GMT
i am going to make some A frame portable shelters for young calves to get in out of the spring rains. I do not want adults to attempt to get in. What height should I make the cross board so that calves will use it but the older ones will not try to go in. i am thinking it may need to be low enough that the calves will have to duck some. They will not be fastened down. So the cows putting their heads in and then raising it up may be an issue.
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Post by lakeportfarms on Mar 8, 2015 12:11:53 GMT
Mike, we have a bunch of these and with a simple modification they work great for winter weather and spring rains. They are super easy to clean out with the plastic, and get the calves up and off the ground in both the winter and spring to help keep them warmer. We cut out the metal bars on the long side between the vertical bars, and the horizontal bars leaving about a 6" bottom lip at the opening and a roughly 2' x 2' overall opening size. We then cap the opening, it's especially important to do so at the bottom but the sides are not a problem if you grind the rough edges off the steel, and cut it flush with the plastic and at the intersection with another steel bar. The 6" bottom lip lets you put straw in that stays put. The cows and larger calves can't get in, and usually two calves can fit in and lay down with just a bit of room to spare. When we first put them out with the fresh straw they looked so comfy I wanted to climb in myself and take a nap...lol Often times you can find them on Craigslist for $30-50. They'll last forever, and although I use the pallet forks on the tractor to move them around and stack them when not in use, they're light enough to move around by hand. www.containerreclaimer.com/image/IMG_7195%20(640x640).jpg |
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Post by wvdexters on Mar 31, 2015 2:55:32 GMT
I want to build a small structure for the young ones in the small upper field we use as an alternate during the winter. It's great for clean ground and getting out of the mud, but it's open with no protected areas to get out of the wind. I'm not good with metal/grinding but I can build with wood. What are the approx. size?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2015 14:14:58 GMT
what I built is 3 2x4 a frames the A is 2' off the ground. The side of the A is 4' and there is a 52" spread between the outside of the legs at the bottom. 2 sheets of plywood screwed on ether side. Thats it and when summer comes and the cows move off to pastures I can unscrew the plywood and put it all in the barn ready for next year. It is anchored to the ground with an earth anchor on each side and tied over the top. I wouldn't want the wind to catch it. I cant say I have seen them use it yet but they do like to run through it when playing. I figure if they are comfortable playing in it then they will get out of the rain if they are cold.
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