Indoor Washrack Dimensions

[flyingWranch]

So I am building a new barn for my show cattle. My current plan includes a 10' by 10' washrack to wash the cattle in. I have never had an indoor washrack so I am wondering about everybody's thoughts on that size? Will that be big enough or do I want it a couple feet bigger?

 

[DSC]

You will definitely want it longer than 10ft. You want to make sure you have plenty of room to walk behind the cattle.

 

[DLD]

Ours is 12' x 12', and I'd say that needs to be a minimum.  We have a grooming chute that we wash in, so we don't have to deal with them moving around.  Without something to keep them still, it would need to be wider...

 

[marku]

is 10x16 enough?

 

[bcosu]

the way I figure washing room required is by how willing you are to get wet. Big breds and steers normally fill up an 8 ft chute so I figure you want enough room not to get splashes of water and can still move around plus the 8 ft. I wouldn't want to make it any shorter than 12 ft at the smallest dimension and probably no less than 16 ft wide so that they aren't in a corner the entire time.

 

[paj315]

Ours is 10 wide X 12 long. Would like to have a little wider but we make do. Something we did was when we poured the floor we put a pipe on the concrete on each side of the middle big enough to slide a 2 inch bar into this keeps them from moving around when washing. We insulated the walls and ceiling put plastic up as a moisture barrier then covered it with plastic sheeting used to line refrigerator trailers. Works out really well and are looking into converting it into a cooler room for this summer.

 

[Ohio1]

Ours is 10 wide X 12 long. Would like to have a little wider but we make do. Something we did was when we poured the floor we put a pipe on the concrete on each side of the middle big enough to slide a 2 inch bar into this keeps them from moving around when washing. We insulated the walls and ceiling put plastic up as a moisture barrier then covered it with plastic sheeting used to line refrigerator trailers. Works out really well and are looking into converting it into a cooler room for this summer.

Sounds nice!! Pics?

 

[paj315]

I will take some tomorrow and post them

 

[ferkj]

Ours is 12 x 24 which may seem big but in the winter I use a tarp to divide it in two which makes for a seperate clipping area if you need it.  May be a little tight quarters but its warm in there which is a whole lot better than having all the room you want in the barn at 10 degrees.

 

[Red Cow Relocators]

The first one I built was 12 x 15. The next one will be a minimum of 15 x 15. If you have ever washed a 2500 lb bull you know why. RCR

 

[Carlson Cattle]

how much did it cost all together to make one?

 

[paj315]

here is a picture of our 10X12 lined with plastic from a semi trailer

 

[ferkj]

how much did it cost all together to make one?

Cost will vary greatly depending on what materials you may have access to and cost of concrete and other supplies in your area. I framed our with salvage lumber from a building that fell down, got a load of rejected concrete from a bridge construction project close by and lined it with second quality garage door panels the a guy local deals in.  Function is more important that style points. 

 

[KTM]

We built ours 10' wide x 12' deep , if you put something in to stop them from moving side to side it works okay, if not its to small and even calves can get you cornered. If I had it to do again it would be 16' wide and at least 12' deep. If you wash big bulls and heifers you have some water splashing in the isle even with 12' deep. It's like every barn, garage, trailer and man cave go bigger than you think you will need. If you are planning your barn and planning on 10x12 pens don't do it, go 12x12, keep them square makes panels, gates, etc work a whole lot better.  Those are the mistakes we made and is now to late to change, we like our barn but a few little changes would make a big difference.