In the Intermountain West, our mountains are acclaimed for their magnificent snowpacks, while our Southern deserts are equally lauded for their breathtaking vistas. While beautiful, our region includes multiple climates and conditions with unique opportunities and challenges.
Excessive heat and dry conditions can plague many of our Southern areas in the summer, while extreme cold and winter weather patterns can create problems for growers in the North. Whether it’s heat or cold, extreme climate events significantly impact livestock health and productivity.
Combatting the effects of extreme weather starts with the right livestock shelters. Discover how to choose the right shelter for your livestock’s needs.
Understanding the Importance of Livestock Shelters
Livestock shelters are critical for your animals’ health, safety and productivity. These structures protect from harsh weather conditions, predators and diseases. Proper shelters ensure that livestock have a comfortable environment, leading to better growth, higher milk production, and improved overall well-being.
Livestock performance declines during times of intense heat or severe cold. Offering adequate shelter to counteract these weather conditions can improve animal health and performance. In addition to physical protection, good shelters also contribute to better management practices. They make monitoring health, administering treatments and managing feeding schedules easy and efficient.
Exploring Different Types of Livestock Shelters
There are various types of livestock shelters available, each designed to meet specific needs.
Fully Enclosed Shelters
Fully enclosed livestock shelters are typically constructed with durable materials such as metal, wood, or high-grade plastics, ensuring they withstand various weather conditions and offer a stable environment year-round. The primary use of these shelters is to safeguard livestock from harsh elements like extreme temperatures, wind, rain and snow. Additionally, fully enclosed shelters help control the internal environment, allowing for regulated ventilation, temperature and humidity levels, and provide a barrier against predators and pests.
Open-Sided Shelters
Open-sided livestock shelters protect while allowing ample ventilation and easy livestock access. These shelters typically feature a slanted roof and one or more open sides, which help to shield livestock from harsh weather conditions such as rain, snow and intense sunlight while still permitting fresh air to circulate. This design is particularly beneficial in preventing the buildup of moisture and ammonia, which can lead to respiratory issues in animals. By facilitating easy access and movement, these shelters also simplify the management and monitoring of the animals.
Run-In Shelters
Run-in livestock shelters are versatile open-front, open-back structures designed to provide animals with a refuge from harsh weather conditions such as rain, wind and extreme temperatures. These shelters are typically constructed with durable materials like high-quality tarps and metal and are strategically placed in pastures to allow easy access for horses and other livestock. Their open design ensures that animals can enter and exit freely, promoting natural movement and reducing stress. Run-in shelters offer protection from the elements while allowing animals to graze and roam as they please. These shelters are also a great place for feeding troughs and will keep feed dry in the event of storms.
Key Factors to Consider When Selecting a Livestock Shelter
When choosing a livestock shelter, it's important to consider the specific needs of your animals. Factors such as size, animal type and climate are crucial.
Size
The shelter should be spacious enough to accommodate all animals comfortably. The size of the livestock shelter you need will depend largely on the number of animals utilizing it. There are multiple options and sizes to consider, so ensure your shelter is large enough to provide shelter to all the animals that might need or want it if there are no natural options such as trees.
Type of Animals
The type of animals using your livestock shelters will play an obvious but important role in your decision. A sheep, goat or pig shelter has different dimensions than a shelter designed for horses. When looking at options, considerall the livestock that might utilize the shelter.
Climate
It is also critical to consider your local climate and choose a shelter that can withstand local weather conditions. A shelter intended for heat and sun protection needsto be open and have adequate ventilation, whereas a shelter for cold and winter conditions should provide wind blocks and snow protection.
Top Livestock Shelter Brands You Can Trust
IFA carries top livestock shelter brands that are well-known for their quality and reliability. These brands offer variouslivestock shelter products to meet your needs.
Shelter Logic
ShelterLogic is a leading manufacturer of variousshelters and storage solutions. They are known for affordable and durable products, including portable shelters and livestock shade options.
Run-In Shelters
Run-in Shelters are the perfect shade and shelter solution. These shelters allow easy access at both ends, and fabric boots protect animals from ratchet webbing.
Livestock Shade Corral Shelters
Livestock Shade Corral Shelters are multi-purpose portable shade and shelter structures that also offer coverage for corral panels for an enclosed option. These portable shades consist of a sturdy frame with a premium powder-coated finish and universal cover that fits most panels to securely provide reliable shade protection anywhere in the field for horses, goats, livestock and even agricultural storage.
PTI Stockyard
PTI Stockyards, based in Preston, Idaho, offers a variety of products for ranchers and farmers, including shelters. They focus on providing durable and cost-effective solutions tailored to individual needs.
The Stockman
The Stockman is PTI Stockyards’ largest open-sided livestock shelter. At 24’ long, 12’ wide, and 10’ tall, the Stockman is ideal for horses but is also a great option for cattle and farm storage.
The Cattleman
The Cattleman is an open-sided shelter that would make an excellent shelter for cattle and livestock. Cattleman shelters are 20’ long, 8’ wide, and 5’ high, making them a compact shelter option for livestock to gather and bed under.
The Shepherd
As the name suggests, the Shepherd is an ideal open-face shelter for sheep. The Shepherd’s compact design protects smaller livestock animals, including sheep, goats and pigs.
Behlen Country
Behlen Country specializes in creating durable and practical solutions for farmers and ranchers. Behlen is recognized for its focus on quality construction, user-friendly designs, and products built to withstand the rigors of farm life.
Shelter Kits
Behlen Country Shelter Kits are designed for livestock, particularly horses. They are known for their versatility and are often used as run-in sheds. There are 13 Shelter Kit styles with variations in materials, dimensions and included components to meet your needs.
Tips for Maintaining Your Livestock Shelter
Regular maintenance of your livestock shelter is essential to ensure its longevity and effectiveness. Routine inspections for any structural damage, such as leaks, broken panels or weakened supports, and addressing these issues promptly can prevent significant problems while ensuring your shelter is doing its job.
Cleaning the shelter regularly is also crucial. Remove manure, old bedding, and debris to maintain a hygienic environment. This helps in preventing the spread of diseases and parasites.
Additional Considerations
Geo Grid Footing
Just like the foundation of a house is critical, keeping the ground inside and around your livestock shelters well-drained is the best way to ensure your shelter is providing the protection your animals need for years to come. Geo Grid is a specialty drainage product that is an excellent addition to permanent livestock shelters and livestock runs. The Geo Grid product provides a sturdy, well-drained surface inside and outside your shelters that is safe for livestock.
Livestock Feed Troughs and Bunks
Livestock shelters can help keep feed dry and reduce waste. Livestock shelters can do more than protect livestock; by placing feed troughs and bunks in a shelter, livestock owners can help prevent feed from scattering or molding in adverse weather such as wind, rain, or snow. Placing feed in a sheltered area can also promote greater feed intake by reducing external stress that might drive animals away from feed.
Corner Feeders
Corner feeders offer several advantages in livestock shelters. Producers can minimize feed waste by placing feeders in corners, producers can minimize feed waste as animals have less opportunity to scatter feed with their hooves or snouts. This placement also helps keep the feeding area cleaner, reducing the risk of contamination and the spread of disease.
Protecting Livestock with IFA
Livestock shelters are essential for safeguarding the health and productivity of your animals against the diverse and often harsh climates of the Intermountain West. These shelters enhance livestock performance and streamline management practices by providing a secure and comfortable environment.
At IFA, we understand the unique challenges livestock owners face and offer a wide range of high-quality shelter solutions tailored to your needs. Visit your local IFA Country Store and speak to a livestock fencing and equipment expert to get started exploring our selection of reliable and durable livestock shelters.
Information for this article was provided by Kash VanTassell, IFA Fencing & Livestock Equipment Category Manager; and Tyler Stinson, IFA Associate V.P., Farm Supply Marketing.