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Stock shelter design
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- Stock shelter
We have created a simple and cost-effective shelter for ostriches and their feeders that is lightweight and can be easily moved or dismantled when required.
Ostriches favour this design over the version that has fully enclosed sides. It provides better visibility and ample space for feeders. Due to increased ventilation it remains cooler than other designs. You can also place shelters over a fence line to provide cover in two pens.
The lightweight frame was built from 26 mm OD (20 mm NB) galvanised pipe and used galvanised pipefittings for the construction of the tunnel-shaped shelter.
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- Stock shelter: corner of base
The base of the frame is rectangular (3.6 m x 4.0 m) with arched hoops used for the canopy. To manufacture the rounded canopy, a standard 6.5 m length of galvanised pipe is bent to a 2 m radius. Short sections (800 mm) of pipe are welded onto each end of the two outside hoops and two 763 mm sections are attached to the central hoop to provide adequate head room, in this case 2.9 m.
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- Stock shelter: close-up of pipes and tie down of tarp.
The central hoop and the top bracing section are then covered with frameguard tape on the outside where they will be in contact with the cover to reduce wear and tear over time. The tarp is then stretched over the frame and attached with cable ties through the eyelets at 300 mm intervals.
The structure is anchored with oversize tent pegs hooked over the bottom framework.
Materials
The shelter is constructed using the following sections of 26 mm OD galvanised pipe:
- 2 x 3578 mm (base 3.6 m)
- 2 x 3926 mm (base 4.0 m)
- 3 x 6500 mm (3 hoops)
- 4 x 800 mm (outside hoop extensions)
- 2 x 763 mm (middle hoop extensions)
- 2 x 2786 mm (centre uprights)
- 6 x 1739 mm (hoop bracing)
Total pipe used is 55.25 m, or nine lengths of 6.5 m.
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Gal. Pipe 26 mm OD (20 NB) 6.5m | 9 |
| Pipe bending to a 2 m radius | 3 |
| Solarweave tarp 3.6 m x 6.4 m (re-enforced with eyelets at 300 mm) | 1 |
| Gal. Pipe fittings (26 mm) "T"(Tee junction) | 8 |
| "C"(corner) | 6 |
| "X"(cross over) | 3 |
| Frameguard tape (15 m) | 1 |
| Cable ties (250 mm, 25 per packet) | 3 |
Using black pipe and welding the joints, rather than using ready made fittings to hold the framework together, can substantially reduce material costs. In addition, the cost of the tarp can be significantly reduced by buying the material in bulk and by preparing it yourself. Shade cloth can be substituted if shade only, and not waterproofing, is required. It is also possible to lace the tarp on with rope instead of using cable ties. The central strut at either end of the tunnel may be left out if so desired.
Author: Kerry Barram and Mark Schermer, reviewed by Paul Kent
Page maintained by Alison Spencer
Last reviewed 31 May 2010