The RE-Build of Les Farms

[aoxa]

So this is going to be a work in progress thread... Our barn burnt down (with all of our livestock) on February 11th 2013. I wanted to start a thread on the progress. Read the details HERE on BYC.



The Floor plan
"Hope this makes sense... Justine drew this out herself. We didn't like the plans that the image of the barn showed. We need a really big area for the poultry, as well as breeding pens against the back for outdoor runs. I hope it brings it up larger when you click.. The long boxes against the wall are windows.. the doors are open. The little square boxes are outlets. Everything else is marked (except the lights in the 14 x 4 foot breeding pens (which by the way - 1 is supposed to be 6 x 14 feet.. whoops. Will have to fix it.

Thoughts? Did I mention all doors are double dutch style? Oh and the hot water tank and fuse box will go in the tractor or wash/feed room."



Our exterior appearance idea. It will not have a loft, just the appearance of one.





Our previous barn before the fire.




What we have now...

Our Facebook page will have the most recent updates, but I will post here as well.

 

[aoxa]

We have a new member in the family.. I am so excited to announce it here.. Susan already did on facebook, but I had to wait to get home before announcing it to you guys...



We still haven't decided on a name 100% yet, but I am stuck on Henry. I just love that name and I feel like it fits him.

He is a Bernese Mountain dog. We did not want to get another Great Pyr. Too much like Clementine.. We were torn between the bernese and the Newf. Decided on the Bernese because of the drool factor. This line has been imported from Sweden, and the breeder has been breeding these guys for 20 years. They are registered, guaranteed and microchipped (with first shots and check-up).

Her last 3 she had to put down were 12 years old. That is a really good age for a Bernese Mountain Dog. They typically have short lifespans because they are more prone to fatal cancers. Also can have hip and elbow issues, but this line has been thoroughly tested, and again - he is guaranteed to be joint/hip issue free until 2. She said if they are going to have these issues, you find out before a year old for the most part.

His parents.. oh my.. so loveable. His dad is named Rico and is stunning. He is 7 years old. His mom is 6 and he was her last. She was just spade. He was the only pup in the litter. The remaining sibling was still born.

I'm in love.

Oh we won't have him until Saturday. Time to get the house ready for the pup!

 

[aoxa]

A video I worked all night on. Please watch

Margaret is a survivor.

 

[aoxa]

Here is day 4 (if you don't count the days waiting for the concrete to set or the weekend).

 

[aoxa]

I agree. It is too bad that you won't utilize the upper area as a loft. May be a good place to store misc or haw/straw. I use to store hay/straw in the equipment barn with my tools/tractor/lawn equipment. I am glad that I built a seperate 8x16 ft shed just for haw/straw. It was really messy in the equipment barn. Not sure if you have another barn for equipment I always need more storage space. Sorry about your livestock and barn loss!!

I have a 10 x 12 baby barn that will be utilized for hay storage.

I never had a grow out area before, but the breeding pens pictured can be used for that as well. I always integrated straight from the brooder at 6-8 weeks depending on weather, but I'll keep it in mind!

The only issue with the loft is the extra expense. We had a loft before and never used it. That's why I'm hesitant to add it here.

 

[hotrodflash]

I love my steel sheeted building, it stays cool in the hot Texas summers, 100 + is normal, stays warm in winter. stays about 55-60 degrees without any heat. It is on a concrete slab, it is my well house and feed room. It is a dove gray color with white trim, always look clean and neat. My builder, who is also a friend, uses pictures of it in his portfolio to show to prospective clients. He has built several since then because it looks so very nice.

 

[mkcolls]

aoxa, we were so sorry to hear about your barn fire and the loss of your precious, beautiful animals. I have spent a couple of hours reading your posts and the updates since the 11th.
Thank you for sharing your difficult news with us, so that we are warned and may learn. Thank you for sharing so many stories and pictures of your animals. I wept as a looked through them tonight. Every thread that you have shared your stories and pictures of your animals have been a warm memory.
It has been wonderful to read this thread and to hear your plans for the future. Your new barn looks lovely and I am thankful that you have this to look forward to.
Keep us posted and know that our thoughts and prayers are with you as you mourn and rebuild. We'll weep when you weep and rejoice when you rejoice.

 

[aoxa]

aoxa, we were so sorry to hear about your barn fire and the loss of your precious, beautiful animals. I have spent a couple of hours reading your posts and the updates since the 11th.
Thank you for sharing your difficult news with us, so that we are warned and may learn. Thank you for sharing so many stories and pictures of your animals. I wept as a looked through them tonight. Every thread that you have shared your stories and pictures of your animals have been a warm memory.
It has been wonderful to read this thread and to hear your plans for the future. Your new barn looks lovely and I am thankful that you have this to look forward to.
Keep us posted and know that our thoughts and prayers are with you as you mourn and rebuild. We'll weep when you weep and rejoice when you rejoice.

Your comment is beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing in my love of them, and their memory. I still can not look at the pictures without losing it.

Soon I hope.

Family and friends are helping us plant a big beautiful memorial garden. Everyone is bringing a plant.

 

[aoxa]

Here is the revised barn exterior appearance. With the large chicken barn part, there wasn't enough equal support to do the last way. Pretty isn't it? It may have to be reverted (like the big part on the left and the slope on the right) but it should be similar (but larger) to this picture.



Dutch door ideas.

 

[aoxa]

I love the new barn design! Really excited to see that you could go old fashioned with the general design, but update it with the vinyl siding. Makes me much more interested in the vinyl for my own coops! Can't wait to see more updates on the progress of rebuilding, it's very inspiring.

I must not have mentioned it yet here. We are going with steel siding.

Easy upkeep - lasts a long time - and is sleek looking!



Here is a barn with steel siding. Just to give you guys an idea on the siding. We are going with barn red. White trim as well.