Shading a Jersey

[bubba1358]

If this is set out in the field (and secured down, of course), would it provide adequate shade for a single Jersey?

http://www.marketumbrellasite.com/market_umbrellas/cantilever_market_umbrellas/cantilever_market_umbrella.html

I like it because it is offset, giving the full spectrum of shade in an area out of range the pole. Plus, it's got a 9' diameter. Thanks!

 

[SheepGirl]

Umbrellas can get ripped in the wind. We've had to replace several umbrellas for our patio furniture (they weren't the cheap ones, either) because the wind picked them up and broke the wood/metal that held the fabric.

Maybe try a cattle panel shelter with a tarp over top? Or a chain link dog kennel roof?

 

[BrownSheep]

X2

 

[bubba1358]

Thanks. Trying to think of something portable-ish that the kids ( 8 & 10 yo) could move.....

 

[woodsie]

I'd love to know what you find out...I have lots of grass (6' swath) along the fence line I'd love to attempt to get her to mow down but no shade. I can't see umbrella really working though...cows like to rub on things too and would probably knock the stand over or wreck it. Sorry. Keep trying though, there has got to be an answer.

 

[bubba1358]

Thanks. I will keep looking. My concept, to be placed so the pole is out of range of the cow but the shade isn't, is such:

However, if I could afford a sun blocker, I'd just build permanent fencing and install a big ol barn. Alas.

On windy days, I do have trees available, which would be part of the rotation scheme, so the umbrella could be taken down and one of many trees providing shade. I thought of something with metal panels, but there's no way the kids could move that if I'm away for an afternoon at work.

Thanks for the wisdom. I'm going to continue brainstorming on this. There's GOT to be a way!

:/

 

[SheepGirl]

Will you be having a permanent shelter for the Jersey cow at all? Now, I am no expert on cattle, but I do know beef cattle can usually get by with no shelter, however, dairy cattle are thinner and have finer hair so you would think they would at least require some sort of windbreak. I don't know what climate you live in, but will she still be out tethered & grazing when it's snowing? When it's hailing? When it's raining? When it's windy? Or will you have her in a nice dry barn eating hay? Even if you can just buy a 10x10 dog kennel (though I'm not sure the door will be wide enough), you could have a nice little shelter for her if you put a tarp around the sides of it with the roof canopy on top.

 

[bubba1358]

Will you be having a permanent shelter for the Jersey cow at all?.

Yes, I will. There is a concrete slab that is already roofed by metal just behind my shed (aka, hay storage facility). It also has a 6' tall privacy fence extending from the shed as a windbreak for the prevailing winds here. The folks we bought this place from were dog breeders, so they this elaborate kennel system in the shed with runs coming out of it - I'm just increasing the animal size a bit. I'll be enclosing the whole kaboodle in cattle panels (should take 4 or 5), from the windbreak fence to the opposite edge of the shed, as a permanent "zero graze" in the winter and on really bad days. I also have some extra metal panels with which to extend the roof. My sheep will overwinter here too. Donkey refuses to go near it.

So really, this whole concept is for days of light rain or bright sun.

Our climate: we're located between Nashville and Chattanooga, and on a plateau. Grass grows past Thanksgiving, and starts up again March 1st. We've had I think a combined 1/2" of snow that past two winters (the only ones we've been here for).

 

[Bossroo]

Well Bubba ... I constructed 2 12' x 12' stalls with a steel roof using steel panels with plywood attached for sides and steel 2" posts set into 2 ft. of concrete at the corners. Worked fine for light rain /wind ... however this shelter took a flying lesson and ended up all mangled after landing about 50 feet away. Having this experience, I would say that you save time and money by building a very heavy and permanent structure that doesn't include a gift certificate for flying lessons.

 

[bubba1358]

Well Bubba ... I constructed 2 12' x 12' stalls with a steel roof using steel panels with plywood attached for sides and steel 2" posts set into 2 ft. of concrete at the corners. Worked fine for light rain /wind ... however this shelter took a flying lesson and ended up all mangled after landing about 50 feet away. Having this experience, I would say that you save time and money by building a very heavy and permanent structure that doesn't include a gift certificate for flying lessons.

Thanks Boss. I do have one already about half built in the shed. I just need to add a few more roof panels and run some cattle panels along 2 sides to create the pen.

Getting back to the larger question, does a Jersey cow need shade when tethered out in open pasture on a sunny Southern summer day? And if so, how could that be provided in a way that is durable, can be protected from flying lessons, and can be moved by a child? I'm still racking my brain on this - it's one of the last pieces (besides budget!) in getting my family a new Jersey milk cow this spring....