For any livestock owner, animal safety always remains a top concern. Whether it is cows, horses, goats, sheep, chickens, or bees, protecting them from harsh weather, predators, and maintaining their productivity are some of the top challenges. Many farm owners use traditional wooden barns, but they come with high upkeep and regular deep cleaning issues. A metal livestock barn, on the other hand, is a smart choice as it offers:

• Better protection
• Safety against fire
• Security from weather damage
• Higher durability, and 
• Low maintenance

In this blog, we will explore why metal farm barns are the best way to protect livestock and how they can benefit the top five farm animals in the country. 

Here's Why Metal Barns Are The Best Choice For Livestock Safety

Ready to learn why metal farm buildings are the safest choice? Let's dive in:

1. Metal Buildings' Durability Against Strong Weather

A livestock shelter must be strong enough to handle any weather and stand tough no matter what Mother Nature throws at it, such as:

• High Speed Winds – From tornado alley (Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, panhandle regions of Texas) to hurricanes, animals' barns must be able to withstand strong gusts that can knock down a wooden barn. 
• Heavy Snow Loads – States like Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan have long winters with heavy snowfall that strain roofs and may even lead to collapse.
• Hail And Severe Storms – Texas has frequent hailstorms along with Nebraska and Missouri, while Illinois has severe thunderstorms during peak storm seasons, which can puncture through the panels.

But, how does a livestock steel barn help with these problems? Let's see:

• Its vertical corrugated roof panels with custom pitch of 4/12 to 6/12 slide off dust and debris, including rainwater and snow from the roof quickly. This reduces the chances of water pooling and leaks.
• Its 12-gauge steel frames can bear more load than wooden posts of the same size, which takes up less space and gives more structural support in harsh weather regions. It prevents the risk of roof collapse.
• Its 26-gauge thick metal panels can withstand hail and storms without puncturing and creating leaks in the roof.

Bonus: Resistance To Rust And Corrosion – A 100% galvanized steel has a coating of molten zinc, which creates a protective layer against rusting. This way, metal livestock buildings stay safe, dry, and protected from structural damage and weather.

2. Affordability, Longevity, And Low Maintenance Of A Steel Farm Barn

Cost Effectiveness – The components of a metal prefab barn are made in a factory on a large scale, which reduces its initial costs. Further, these parts can be easily assembled on-site with less labor and downtime. Thus, livestock owners can start planning earlier.

Tip: Livestock owners can opt for a metal Carolina barn with a raised center, wide aisle space, and insulation to regulate temperature and air circulation inside the barn. This will help reduce energy bills and monthly operational costs.

Inherent Strength And Lifespan – Steel frames are robust and have higher tensile strength that can last for decades to come with minimal upkeep, and the structure does not weaken over time. In the case of the wooden barn, reinforcement is necessary to keep it from sagging, but a metal livestock barn can last for decades while maintaining its structural integrity.

Less Prone To Rot And Warp – Unlike wooden posts and panels, there is no warping, twisting, or cracking in steel frames and metal panels due to moisture absorption or changing seasons. So, farmers save money on monthly maintenance. 

Fewer Repairs Needed – Once installed correctly, a metal farm building does not need frequent repairs or replacement, as corrugated panels are dense and thick enough to withstand daily wear and tear. Additionally, metal panels don't decay with time due to their inorganic nature.

3. Steel Building Offers Better Fire Safety 

Non-Combustible Material – Unlike wood, metal doesn't catch fire, readily start to burn, or fuel flames during fire accidents. This gives the barn owner time to extinguish it and call for help. With insulation, a metal farm building can help contain the flames, which will slow down the fire, keeping stored items and animals safe.

Protecting Animals And Assets – Wildfires can be sudden and threat to animals. Farmers living in areas prone to wildfires, such as Texas, California, and Nevada, need proper protection against fire outbreaks to avoid losing their precious assets, including livestock, tools, and food supplies.

4. Steel Is Resistant To Pest And Predator And Keep Unwanted Guests Out

It is important to protect livestock from pests and carnivores for health and safety reasons. A livestock steel barn is built to keep them out.

Sealed And Secured – Metal buildings have tight seams, which make it harder for rodents, insects, and predators to enter inside. The side and end wall panels are hard to chew through to enter. A steel farm building doesn't have weak spots where animals like raccoons, coyotes, or foxes can break through.

Hygienic Indoors – Unlike wood, mold spores can't seep into non-porous metal panels or frames. So, farm owners can easily sanitize and keep animals in a healthy environment indoors without the need for frequent deep cleaning.

Metal is inorganic, which keeps termites, rodents, and mildew at bay and doesn't foster harmful pathogens like bacteria that can cause respiratory issues or diseases.

5. Metal Farm Barns Are Fully Customizable For Specific Animals

Many of you may think of a steel building as a tin box or a plain cookie-cutter object, but that's far from the true. Nowadays, you can get a custom barn from a metal building dealer of the desired size, height, and features. 

Flexible Design – You can design a steel custom barn with different bay sizes, door placements, and window options that fit the livestock comfortably. Some common custom options include:

• Door styles (roll-up, sliding, frame-out, and walk-in)
• Roof styles (A-frame and vertical with custom pitch)
• Side and End walls (fully enclosed, partially closed, or roof-only)
• External color (for roof, side walls, end walls, wainscoting, and trim)
• Lean-Tos (for additional shaded space to keep tools or create a loafing shed)
• Wainscoting (on the lower part of the metal walls to protect it from dust and debris)
• Tech-friendly upgrades (automated feeding systems, alarms, and motion sensor lights)

Ventilation – Livestock owners can choose a raised center aisle barn that reduces heat buildup by letting warm and moist air out and bringing fresh air in. Depending on the location, you can pick between a natural and a mechanical vent system.

Insulation – Choose an insulation with the correct R-value based on the type of animals, herd size, and local climate, for a comfortable environment all year round. You can choose fiberglass, spray foam, single or double bubble, and woven types of reflective insulations, based on location and budget.

Secure Your Livestock With A Durable Metal Barn Today!

As you can see, metal barns for livestock offer higher protection to your livestock than wooden barns. They are resistant to weather and fire and come with virtually zero pathogenic vulnerabilities, be it pests, harmful bacteria, mold, or mildew growth. Animals can shelter peacefully in an insulated steel farm barn known for its longevity, simplicity, and functionality.