Manual Cattle Shed Feeding Design

My existing shed currently houses more than fifty head of cattle, and I need a practical, manual feeding layout that keeps the animals moving smoothly while making daily chores faster and safer for my team.

The design must fit within the footprint of the present structure, so I will share precise floor-plan measurements and photos once we start. What I’m after is an efficient arrangement of feed troughs, alley widths, gate placements, and storage points that suits a fully manual system—no conveyors or robotics, just smart positioning and sturdy, easy-to-clean equipment.

Please account for:
• Space requirements for large-frame cattle during peak occupancy.
• Safe human access for filling troughs, scraping, and bedding.
• Drainage or scrape-out paths that minimise slurry build-up.
• Durable, locally sourced materials where possible to keep costs sensible.

Deliverables
1. Scaled layout drawing (PDF + DWG or similar CAD file).
2. Detailed bill of materials with dimensions and estimated quantities.
3. Simple step-by-step construction/installation notes so my farm crew can build with standard tools.

I’ll review draft concepts, provide feedback, and sign off on a final version ready for the builder. Clear, labelled drawings and concise instructions will be the key acceptance criteria.