Cool Room Question

[MKC Showcattle]

We are going to be building a new show barn for my showcattle and we are going to set up a cooler. How big would you suggest having it??  And when you guys put your calves into the cooler room do you have them tied or do they roam around in it?

 

[STEER_1981]

When I was showing, I had two calves per year, and I had a cool room measuring 12*14*9.  This is a great size for two calves but would be less than ideal for three.  Notice that the height of this cooler is 9 feet.  I highly recommend, at least, that height.  I have been in coolers that are only 6 feet tall, and they are extremely unpleasant.  Additionally, a 9 foot ceiling allows for a grooming chute if the room ever doubles as a clipping room.   

The calves were free to roam.  The advantage of this arrangement is that your calves get some exercise, even in the cooler, and they are also bit happier.  The disadvantage is that your fans are not directing the calves' hair straight forward.  However, both arrangements work. 

I ran a 2.5 ton cooler unit and three turbo fans. The cool room had a dirt floor with around six inches of mulch.  Additionally, do not forget to have an exhaust fan. And if at all possible, have some sort of emergency alarm system for if you lose electricity or if your cooler unit fails. 

This arrangement worked well for me.       

 

[chiangus]

Emergency alarm system is a must, something to alert you or kick the door open in case your units shut down.  It can get hot in there quick.

 

[YVKustomCattle]

what is the reason for the door having to be opened

 

[Jive Turkey]

what is the reason for the door having to be opened

So they do not "cook to death" if the electricity is off for an extended period of time.

 

[chiangus]

what is the reason for the door having to be opened

And People have lost cattle when they did not have one or it failed also.  It is must.

 

[YVKustomCattle]

But i live in canada so even if the air coditioners do shut off it doesnt get above 80

 

[simmyman67]

Well some of us live in Texas and down south where it gets up to 115 or higher...and when it's 80 outside it's gonna be a whole lot hotter in that insulated room when the cooler isn't working.

 

[garett]

But i live in canada so even if the air coditioners do shut off it doesnt get above 80

With 2 or 3 fat steers in a insulated room, theyre producing a lot of body heat. Shut the a/c off and it'll get hot in there quick, no matter what the outside temperature is.