Researching calf shed sizes? Are there industry recommendations? How do I get the best value for my money?
In this article, you’ll get practical advice on functional calf shed sizes that address industry guidelines, prioritise calf health and provide versatility.
It is important not to underestimate the value of a well-designed calf shed.
Firstly, most calves are housed when their immune systems are still developing, making them more vulnerable to disease.
Secondly, calving time is a busy time of the year, and a functional calf shed can make this easier, more efficient and a lot less stressful for you.
Plus, a well-designed calf shed will save you money now and provide value for years to come.
Arguably one of the most important details that impacts each of these points (calf health, working conditions and cost-effectiveness) is the size of the shed.
So, read on to determine the right size for your calf shed based on industry recommendations and practical experience.
You will also find plenty of ideas and inspiration for creating a cost-effective and versatile shed.
Top 7 Things To Consider When Choosing Calf Shed Sizes
1
Number Of Calves
This might seem obvious, but the number of calves (and the number of batches) will directly impact the size that your shed needs to be.
Along with industry recommendations (more on this shortly) for square metres per calf and ideal group sizes, you should also consider:
- Predicted calving patterns. Have you allowed enough room for the largest groups? Be realistic about peak demand – and remember, is a shed ever too big?
- How long will the calves be in the shed for? Do you need to allow extra room to avoid bottlenecks when cleaning out or resting pens between groups? Will you be providing more room for the calves as they get older?
- Is there enough space for all calves to access feeders and water supply? This is particularly important if you’re using a restricted milk system, where limited access can lead to competition and stress.
2
Industry Size Recommendations
Dairy Australia provides several guidelines for space requirements in calf sheds, including:
- Newborn calves in group housing should have at least 1.5–2 m² of space per calf.
- Young calves in group housing should have at least 2.5 m² per calf as they grow. At this stage, consider providing access to outdoor shade, for example, by adding a sliding door to an open roof-only bay.
- Individual pens should provide at least 2 m² per calf and should be positioned so calves can see each other
When it comes to group pen sizes it usually works best to align these with the bay spacings of your shed. The recommended group size is typically a maximum of 15 calves per pen, depending on your setup. This helps to reduce the risk of disease spreading by minimising physical contact while still providing enough social interaction for calves.
3
Calf Shed Hygiene
Calf shed hygiene is incredibly important, especially given how vulnerable calves can be to disease.
Calf shed sizes play a role in making it easier to keep your shed clean.
- Allow room for quarantine/isolation pens for sick or vulnerable calves to be positioned away from the main group
- Ensure that the shed can be easily accessed by machinery to replace bedding and clean out pens
- You could also consider increasing the height of the concrete panels to make it easier to wash down the walls.
4
Effective Airflow & Ventilation
Effective ventilation is essential for helping to keep bedding dry, reducing ammonia at calf level and keeping the air fresh for better working conditions.
As well as following the recommended square metre rates so that there is room between calves, the height and width of the shed should be considered.
For example, narrower spans such as 12m, 15m or 18m work best to ensure there is adequate air movement at the back of the shed. These work well in conjunction with ridge ventilation and sliding door openings.
The height of the shed will also dictate how much air enters the shed and this should be considered along with the orientation of the shed, to help find the right balance of airflow and weather protection.
This leads to our next point: weather protection.
5
Weather Protection
Protection from the prevailing weather conditions is one of the main reasons for building a calf shed, so it makes sense to make sure your shed does that. Otherwise, it defeats the purpose.
For example, if you have increased the height of the shed for machinery access or hay storage, then you could consider adding a cantilevered canopy for additional weather protection. This is also a cost-effective way to increase the width of your shed.
6
Practical Access
Well-planned access makes it easier to clean and maintain the shed, access fodder and equipment, and create a low-stress environment.
It also allows the shed to be used more effectively in the off-season.
Generally, 8-metre bay spacings work best.
This standard bay size is cost-effective and practical, providing good access for machinery. If you’re storing hay in any of the bays, this spacing also allows three big square bales to be stacked neatly between the columns.
Similarly, 6 metres high works well for machinery clearance and stacking bales (big square bales can be stacked 6 high) – and it provides good airflow.
7
Designing For Versatility
A versatile shed provides excellent value for money, and there are plenty of opportunities to achieve the is with your calf shed.
One way to do this is to consider the size of your shed:
- Will the bay spacings and height also work for hay or machinery storage?
- Should I include extra bays for hay storage, or for storing almond hulls with L-walls at one end?
- Do I need to allow extra clearance for sliding doors or a future canopy addition?
As a rule of thumb, be generous with space and allow more room than you need. This provides more flexibility and more opportunity for growth in the future.
If you are designing a versatile and multi-use calf shed, remember that a high level of hygiene needs to be maintained. It would also pay to check with your insurance provider to make sure you are covered for co-storing.
Calf Shed Size Recommendations
What Is The Best Calf Shed Height?
Popular heights for calf sheds typically range from 5 to 6 metres, depending on how you plan to use the space.
For instance, a 6-metre height works well for machinery access, hay storage, and when your shed design includes features like sliding doors or canopies, since these features usually reduce clearance by about 500 mm.
However, you may not require a 6-metre clearance height for your machinery or hay. For example, a height of 5.25m can work well, providing more weather protection and allowing you to stack four round bales high without any wasted space.
But remember, height is one detail that is very difficult to change once your shed is installed!
What Is The Best Calf Shed Length?
The length of your shed will be determined by the bay spacing and the number of bays.
We generally recommend an 8-metre bay spacing for calf sheds as they are cost-effective and functional.
The number of bays will be governed by how many pens you have, storage areas and whether you require additional bays for maintaining separation between areas.
Typically, a longer configuration is more cost-effective than a wider configuration. So, increasing the length of your calf shed is a great way to lower the cost per square metre.
What Is The Best Calf Shed Width?
It is always good practice to start with a standard span width to ensure your shed is cost-effective and functional, and there are several standard sizes that work well for calf sheds.
These include 12m, 15m and 18m.
Wider spans can also be used, but we would recommend also including ridge ventilation and paying attention to orientation and sliding door placement.
You can learn why we recommend using a standard span here – What Are The Standard Spans For Farm Sheds?
Standard Calf Shed Size Suggestions
- 24m x 12m — Suitable for 30+ calves
- 48m x 12m — Suitable for 60+ calves
- 40m x 18m — Suitable for 60+ calves. Also popular for machinery and hay storage (approximately 1,200 bales)
- 64m x 15m — Provides space for separation between calf areas and storage zones, e.g., housing 45 calves, quarantine pens, and 1–2 storage bays
Useful Resources
We hope our guide to calf shed sizes has been helpful!
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