In this article, I will discuss farm building and structure, their uses, and types that we have. Some farm buildings are temporary or make-shift buildings made with local and cheap materials. Other buildings are stronger, permanent, and expensive.
What is Farm Building
Farm buildings are structures used in farming operations which may include buildings to house families, workers as well as livestock, machinery, and crops. Farm buildings are also referred to as FARMSTEAD. Farm structures are also known as farm buildings. A farm structure is a building or facility built on a farm, especially on big farms, used for farming operations.
Types of Farm Buildings
Farm Offices: On large farms, Farm offices are used for administrative and management purposes.
Residential Buildings: They provide convenient accommodation and easy access for farm staff. This is to enhance quality service delivery.
Security Posts: Security personnel and gadgets are housed here. This is to ensure the general security of the farm and farm personnel.
Green House: Here, crop plants are raised in a controlled environment, especially for experimental, delicate, or out-of-season plants. The roof is covered with green or glass transparent materials, with regulated temperature.
Livestock Pens: These are buildings where farm animals are kept. For examples poultry houses, hatcheries for layers, brooder houses for chicks, goat and pig pens, etc.
Utility Building: This building serves multi-purpose functions. These include: serving as a cold store for storage of fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, and poultry products to be prepared for marketing or awaiting consumption. Machine and equipment spare parts, bags of livestock feeds, empty sacs, etc, are also kept there.
Types of Farm Structure
Farm houses: A farmhouse is a structure that serves mainly as a home for families, farmers, and workers. Sometimes, it may be attached to a barn. It must include an office and a large food storage space with large refrigeration, including a freezer or cellar as most farm families are large. Such houses usually have three or four bedrooms.
Barn: A barn is another popular type of agricultural building. It is used for a number of purposes. A barn can provide shelter for livestock or livestock feeds such as hay, grain, etc. may also be used to store supplies and machines. There are different types of farms and barns. They vary greatly depending on their purpose and size.
A chicken coop: A chicken coop or chicken house is a small structure used to keep chickens, particularly female ones. It is constructed primarily to protect them from bad weather and also as a place where they can lay their eggs for easy collections. Chickens are not kept in the coop, or hen house all day. The chicken house has a door that allows the chicken to come outside during the day and absorb sunlight. And they sleep in the chicken house at night.
Brooder house: A brooder house is a structure used for keeping young livestock, especially poultry. This structure is a heated, enclosed shelter.
Uses of Farm Building
- To protect the lifespan of farm tools and implements
- To provide comfort for farmers and their workers
- To protect harvested crops and farm animals from serious weather conditions
- For easy identification of sick animals and handling them for treatment
- To protect animals and farm implements from thieves
Uses of Farm Structure
- To preserve the quality and quantity of crops
- To protect agricultural products from pests, diseases, and theft
- To store crops before being sold to the market
- To maintain security on the farm
