Metal Barns

A VersaTube steel barn is the perfect starting point for your livestock barn. From there you can add insulation, run electricity, and finish it any way you want! One option you may be considering is whether it’s a good idea to add climate control. In short, it really depends on what animals you’re keeping as well as what type of weather extremes you’re dealing with.

Heating for Large vs Small Animals

Horses, Cows, Sheep, Mules, and other large animals are pretty resilient to cold weather. If you live in a region of extreme cold, where the temperature regularly hits 30 below, you will probably want a livestock heater, but for warmer temperatures, your animals should be fine. Keep in mind, a sick or newborn animal will need to be kept warm, especially if the temperature outside is extreme. Even if you don’t need climate control for the rest of your barn, consider heating at least one small area.

Smaller animals, like chickens and rabbits, require more warmth. If your area regularly has temperatures below 40℉ during the winter, you’ll need to consider heating the barn.

Cooling

Large livestock like horses, mules, and cows are generally more sensitive to extreme heat than cold. Air conditioning can be a great solution, especially in regions of extreme heat, but don’t forget all the other ways you can keep your livestock comfortable and cool.

• Proper ventilation - when finishing the interior, properly ventilating is vital. Not only will it help keep livestock cool in the summer, but your barn also needs proper ventilation to avoid condensation and to keep the air clean for the health of your animals

• Site selection - if possible, your barn should be built at a 45° angle to prevailing winds. Or, add doors and windows to all four sides so you can close the door on the sunniest side and open the other doors to allow the breeze to circulate

• Fans - center aisle overhead fans, an industrial fan at each end of the aisle, and/or fans over each stall. The idea is to keep the air moving as much as possible

• Misting systems - a misting system can lower the temperature by 20° or more

For your convenience, while building your barn, it’s a good plan to have the design idea, including how you plan to warm and cool your barn, finalized before you order your new VersaTube barn. That way, you can speak to your VersaTube Sales Engineer about any modifications, like if you plan to have doors on all four sides, from the get-go. Got a good idea about your barn design? Use our build-your-own tool to design it to your specifications!