Planning ahead to next Autumn calving? Considering upgrading your calf shed for Spring calving? Researching best calf shed kit sizes?
Having an up-to-date calf shed can make calf-rearing easier and less stressful for everyone involved – including you and the calves!
Plus, a new calf shed can is often a versatile asset that can be used all year round, providing good value for money.
Looking for calf shed ideas and suggestions? Wondering what works well and what doesn’t?
We’ve rounded up three of the most popular calf shed kit sizes and are sharing them in this article.
These calf shed kits are all good options to consider because they are:
- Tried, tested and proven designs.
- Cost-effective configurations, using standard spans, bay spacings and best-practice height.
- Easily customised. We know every dairy operation has different requirements whether it calf numbers, storage space or the climate.
So, read on to learn about three of the best calf shed kit sizes, check out the handy price guides and learn how you could customise these kits to work for your dairy. You will also find plenty of project inspiration!
First up, is an overview of the sizes and prices and then we take a closer look at each kit option.
Calf Shed Kit Sizes & Price List
These calf shed kits are a great starting point for your project planning and design.
The prices listed below are based on the recommended open-front (three-sided) configuration, including 1.5m concrete panels and installation costs, and GST.
- A 12m (W) x 24m (L) x 6m (H) three-sided calf shed with concrete panels costs approx. $65,000 – $80,000 including GST and installation.
- A 12m (W) x 48m (L) x 6m (H) three-sided calf shed with concrete panels costs approx. $110,000 – $135,000 including GST and installation.
- A 15m (W) x 64m (L) x 6m (H) three-sided calf shed with concrete panels costs approx. $165,000 – $200,000 including GST and installation.
Please note that these are price guides and are intended as a budgeting tool for accurate project pricing, please request a quote.
Read on to learn more about each shed kit, including how you could customise your project.
1
12m (W) x 24m (L) x 6m (H) Calf Shed Kit
A smaller-scale calf shed can still provide substantial benefits, particularly when the shed is designed for convenience and functionality.
The 12m (W) x 24m (L) calf shed kit is a great example of this and can be a great starting point when upgrading your shed infrastructure.
The design typically includes:
- Standard 12-metre span
- Standard 8-metre bay spacings
- Recommended open-front (three-sided) configuration
- Best-practice 6-metre height
- 1.5m concrete panels
Why The Design Works
These details mentioned above all help create a design that is both cost-effective and user-friendly.
Firstly, the standard 12m span makes sure the design is cost-effective.
This is because a standard span is quicker and easier for our workshop to manufacture than a non-standard span – saving you both time and money!
The standard span range has also been developed over many years to suit the agricultural industry so you can be confident that it is also a practical, workable solution.
You can learn more about the Standard Span Range, here – What Are The Standard Spans For Farm Sheds?
Secondly, the open-front configuration is recommended for calf sheds. This is because it provides a good balance of airflow and protection from the prevailing weather. The open-front design is also popular because it is straightforward to extend and works well for multi-use sheds.
Also, concrete panels are a recommended inclusion for calf sheds – whether it is a dedicated calf shed or a multi-purpose calf/storage shed. This is because concrete panels increase the longevity of your calf shed cladding by protecting it from both corrosion and machinery damage. Panels also make it easier to clean out your shed.
Finally, the 6-metre height is the most common height for calf sheds. We often recommend this height for several reasons. One of these is because it provides adequate clearance for most farm machinery. This is an important consideration if you intend to repurpose your calf shed for hay or machinery storage.
For example, the 12m x 24m x 6m calf shed kit could also be used to store around 288 big round bales.
The height is also cost-efficient as 6 metres is a standard universal beam length which means you do not pay for any steel offcuts.
So, this design provides a starting point for you to customise and tweak.
Ways You Could Customise The 12m x 24m Calf Shed Kit
If you are looking for ways to make this calf shed kit work for your dairy, we have listed some options below and discuss when they are a good choice.
Firstly, you could consider upsizing the bays. For example, the project pictured uses a 9-metre bay spacing. This makes accessing the shed with machinery easier and provides more room for calves.
This is a good option if you want to increase the number of calves in your shed or create separation between each group cof alves.
Similarly, you could change the shed height. You may not require a 6 metre clearance height for your machinery and instead may find that you benefit from the extra weather protection. For example, a 5.25m height can work well. This will allow you to stack four round bales high without any wasted space.
Another common way to customise a calf shed is to install a sliding door in the gable end. This is a good option for improving accessibility and the door can also be opened to improve airflow.
Finally, installing skylights in the roof and/or walls can provide excellent natural light through the shed.
So, that’s a wrap on the 12m x 24m calf shed kit! Next up, check out the 12m x 48m calf shed kit.
2
12m (W) x 48m (L)x 6m (H) Calf Shed Kit
The second option in our list of best calf shed kit sizes also uses a standard 12-metre span – but with a length of 48m.
This calf shed kit is commonly used for both dedicated calf sheds and machinery storage throughout the year.
The design typically includes
- Standard 12-metre span
- Standard 8-metre bay spacings
- Recommended open-front (three-sided) configuration
- Best-practice 6-metre height
- 1.5m concrete panels
Why The Design Works
This design works well for the same reasons as the 12m x 24m calf shed kit – it’s as cost-effective and functional – just at a slightly larger scale.
The main difference is that typically the bigger the calf shed kit the more options there are for versatility and customisation – and this is the case with the 12m x 48m calf shed.
Ways You Could Customise The 12m x 48m Calf Shed Kit
As we have already discussed, upsizing the standard 8m bay widths is one way to customise a calf shed kit. For example, you could consider either an 8.5m bay width or a 9m bay width. These are both standard spacings and help ensure the design remains cost-effective.
Either of these bay spacings are a good option if you will be using your shed for machinery storage. The additional width provides more “wriggle room” when moving machinery in and out of the shed.
A sliding door in the gable end is also a good inclusion for calf sheds of this size, as it can help you control the airflow through the shed. For example, opening the sliding door can help remove heat and ammonia at calf level and make working in the shed more comfortable.
If you are considering a 12m x 48m calf shed kit for your project, a cantilevered canopy can be a smart addition.
A cantilevered canopy is a smart addition because it is a cost-effective way to gain extra coverage and weather protection – compared to upsizing the shed width.
A canopy can also work really well in conjunction with a concrete apron along the front of the shed to reduce feed wastage and spoilage.
Finally, if you are looking to get the best value for your money and create a versatile shed, consider enclosing a bay – or two! An enclosed bay can be used for storing machinery, equipment or supplies and ensuring it is separated from the main calf-rearing area makes it easier to prevent contamination and maintain good shed hygiene.
And last but not least, let’s take a look at the 15m (W) x 64m (L) calf shed kit.
3
15m (W) x 64m (L) x 6m (H) Calf Shed Kit
The 15m x 64m calf shed kit has been a popular choice for medium and larger-scale dairies thanks to its extra width and customisation options.
The design typically includes:
- Standard 15-metre span
- Standard 8-metre bay spacings
- Recommended open-front (three-sided) configuration
- Best-practice 6-metre height
- 1.5m concrete panels
Why The Design Works
Like all the best calf shed kits discussed so far, the standard span, standard bay spacing and open-front configuration all contribute to a cost-effective, functional and versatile design.
So, it’s a great design as is – but could you make it better?
Read on to learn how you can customise the 15m x 64m design.
Ways You Could Customise The 15m x 64m Calf Shed Kit
There are a number of ways you can make sure this calf shed kit works for your dairy.
Firstly, stepping up the shed with up to 15 metres wide makes sliding doors a recommended inclusion – and not just in the gable end.
For example, you could consider installing a sliding door in the back wall. This makes accessing calves or machinery at the back of the shed easier.
At 64 metres long, the shed kit lends itself to becoming a versatile asset. One way to capitalise on this is to include open bays. For example, you could include several “roof-only” bays at one end of your calf shed to provide shade for the calves when they move from the shed to the paddock.
Conversely, you could also consider enclosing bays for a storage area.
Finally, skylights are a practical addition to larger calf sheds to let sunlight into the shed. Hi-bay lights are also a good option.
We hope this discussion around the best calf shed kit sizes has been helpful and given you ideas for your project! Looking for more inspiration?
Scroll on for a calf shed inspiration gallery and a collection of useful resources.
Inspiration Gallery
Useful Resources
- Designing A Calf Housing System Guide (PDF Download)
- What Is The Best Calf Shed Bedding?
- How Much Do Concrete Panels Cost?
- Calf Shed & Calving Barn Guide (PDF Download)
Ready to get your calf shed project underway? Curious about other standard calf shed sizes? Call us on 1800 687 888 to talk to a building consultant about design options and pricing.
