Depending on where you live in the U.S. you might have different ways to care for your livestock during the winter months. In areas where extreme cold conditions and heavy snow occur, there’s a lot to think about when it comes to protecting your animals. Some of these regions are also hit with very warm summer months and extreme heat – which should also be factored into the type of shelter you build on your land. 

Here in the North East, we get some of the most extreme weather conditions throughout different months of the year so having a plan in place for protecting your livestock is important. 

Here are some tips for all weather protection when considering a pole barn for your farm. 

Choose a Shelter

No matter what conditions you face, it’s important to always shelter your livestock to protect them from other animals and the elements. So starting with choosing the right size and type of dwelling is key. Pole barns are a terrific alternative to traditional buildings because they are durable, more cost-effective and can be built quickly. These dwellings also come with several options depending on how they will be used so be sure to consider options like adding electricity, barn doors or insulation as you plan for the structure. 

Pole Barn Run-in Sheds

Run in sheds are ideal for farmers who have animals and equipment that need protection from cold, snow, excessive UV sunlight, hail and other outdoor hazards. Unlike enclosed barns and storage shelters, run in sheds give you the option of having an open door structure that can quickly be used to house horses, goats, sheep and chickens when the weather gets rough. You can also use a run-in shed to park tractors and small trucks should the need arise. CHA Pole Barns have helped many farmers with the construction of their run-in shed and can cover the mid-Atlantic region including Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia.

With open doors at each end, a run in shed is ideal for temporary housing of horses and other farm animals. An enclosed structure may be too confining and cause panic among animals but with the special design of a custom run in shed you’ll have plenty of air to circulate so animals can breathe easy when being kept safe from inclement weather.

Consider Feed

In addition to protecting livestock, they’ll also need food to survive. In extreme cold temps, animals will eat more food to add volume and stay warm. This food will need to be stored somewhere dry and safe. If you plan to keep them in the same location, you’ll need to factor in an area for feed storage in the design of your pole barn.

Flooring Matters

One thing that’s often overlooked when it comes to colder temperatures and keeping livestock indoors is the flooring. Over time cold concrete can lead to foot-related injuries in horses and cattle. If you’re going to choose this type of flooring in your pole barn then be sure to also add a layer of wood chips or gravel to provide a barrier for your livestock.

Life on a farm can be tough and tiring. It can get even more hectic when bad weather rolls in and you have animals scattered all over the land. If you own or manage a farm and depend on the animals you own for a living give serious consideration to having CHA Pole Barns design and build a custom run-in shed that will help you keep all your animals safe from hazardous outdoor conditions.

Need help choosing a pole barn? CHA offers full-service installation throughout PA, DE, NJ, MD, VA. We construct high-quality pole barn systems for residential and commercial use.