cowshed

A cowshed is a farm building used to house and often to milk cattle, especially dairy cows. It provides shelter from weather, space for feeding and resting, and a location for milking as part of a dairy operation.

In the British and Irish tradition the term byre is older, while in many other countries the building is called a dairy barn or cattle shed. Historically, byres enclosed stalls for individual cows; with mechanization, many modern cowsheds include a separate milking parlour and systems such as free-stall or tie-stall housing.

Typical design features include a solid foundation and floors that allow drainage, usually concrete or slatted surfaces. A feeding area or bunk, comfortable bedding, and adequate ventilation are standard. Manure management systems, such as a manure pit, gutters, or slatted floors, are important for hygiene. Modern cowsheds may also incorporate milking parlours, automated feeding, climate control, and different sections for calving, sick cows, and lactating herds.

Variants reflect regional climate and farming practices. Free-stall barns let cows choose individual sleeping spaces, while tie-stall designs restrict movement during milking. Some sheds are open-sided or naturally ventilated in warm climates. Construction materials range from timber frames with brick or concrete walls to fully concrete or steel structures.

Cowsheds are central to dairy farming, influencing animal welfare, health, and productivity. Proper design and management—cleanliness, ventilation, bedding, waste handling, and efficient milking—are essential and often guided by welfare and environmental regulations.