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Questions

Commonly Asked Questions

What size pens do I need?

Determining the appropriate pen size involves several variables that can significantly influence the decision-making process. Initially, it is essential to identify the specific use case associated with your setup. Consider the following inquiries: Which species will be housed within the pens? How does the population density of the livestock vary? Will the pens need to be adaptable for future adjustments? Is the intended setup designed to be permanent, or will it be disassembled periodically? Will the space be utilized for additional purposes?

Comprehending your specific requirements is imperative for establishing an effective pen configuration. Below are the minimum floor space requirements per head (https://research.ucdavis.edu/wp-content/uploads/Agg-Animal-SOC-Appendix.pdf): - **Market Goats and Sheep**: 8.5 square feet per head, with a minimum pen size of 10 square feet. - **Market Hogs**: 15 square feet per head, with a minimum pen size of 17 square feet. - **Market Chickens**: 0.4 square feet per head (fully grown). - **Market Turkeys**: 12 square feet per head (fully grown).

These guidelines should be taken into account alongside other design and locational criteria for the pens. We are pleased to offer our expertise in discussing your project and livestock requirements to assist you in developing an optimal setup.

How to Care for your pens?

To care for your aluminum pens, maintenance is quite minimal. Regular cleaning is important to eliminate bacteria for best practices in herd management, and we recommend cleaning at least once a year.

To clean the pens, use an aluminum-specific cleaner or a mild dish soap mixed with warm water. If needed, utilize a soft cloth or sponge for scrubbing. Pressure washing is also perfectly acceptable. For added shine, consider using aluminum cleaners that follow the manufacturer's application instructions.

For stubborn stains, you can create a paste by mixing baking soda with a small amount of water, which can help lift the stains. Be sure to thoroughly rinse and dry the pens to prevent water spots.

What to Avoid: Do not use acids, abrasives, ammonia, or other harsh chemicals, as these can damage the surface of your pens and result in a dull appearance and cloudy look.

What does maintenance look like for pens?

Maintenance for the pens is minimal. We recommend an annual cleaning and wipe-down of your pens to minimize bacteria in your barn and setup, which will support a healthy herd. For detailed instructions, see our article "How to Care for Your Pens."

In addition, we recommend greasing your hinges semi-annually. All hinges are custom-designed and critical to our pens. Each gate has two hinges with zerk fittings. You can use any standard grease gun with a zerk fitting. Each hinge requires one pump of grease. After greasing the fitting, be sure to wipe off any excess grease to prevent other materials from sticking to the surface. You may also choose to grease these hinges after each cleaning to ensure that no grease was washed away.

Best Pracitces

Why straight top and corners on pens and gates?

Our products feature flat tops rather than bent or rolled designs, as the latter can create a funnel effect that may cause animals to slide in and get stuck. This can pose a danger to the animals if they are unable to free themselves from the slot created by these designs. Our goal is to minimize gaps and reduce the risk of entrapment.

Cleaning & Maintenance for off Seasons

  1. Barn Cleaning & Inspection

    • Clear out old bedding, dust, cobwebs, bird nests, and excess hay or straw—these can be fire hazards and harbor pests.  

    • Sanitize pens, with no animals in them use powdered bleach or lime (liquid is not preferred unless you are able to rinse and dry fully before freezing and a solid surface like concrete).

    • Sanitize buckets, waters, mineral feeders, and all cleaning instruments. Make sure everything is rinsed leaving no residue (unless recommended by manufacturer) and dried fully before placing in storage or back in production.

    • Check ventilation, roof leaks, wall cracks, doors/windows and make sure everything is secure and draft-free. When closing drafts be sure no material is able to be caught by animals or able for them to ingest.

    • Organize and inventory chemical supplies, feed, and bedding while things are slower.  Move items that can freeze to indoor locations.

    • Remove medications and items that can freeze to indoor locations. Stay organized and up to date on your vaccinations routine since change in seasons is additional stress on animals which can weaken immune system.

  2. Equipment & Machinery Prep for off season

    • Wash and dry your equipment thoroughly, especially removing crop residue or manure/organic matter which can trap moisture and rust metal parts.  

    • Grease all the fittings, lubricate moving parts, check belts, tires, battery condition and fluid levels.  Disconnect batteries of equipment not used in cold months.

    • Store machines inside if possible; if outside, cover them and park on a solid surface to prevent ground moisture damage.  

    • Top off fuel and hydraulic tanks to minimize air space (less condensation = less corrosion).  

    • Disconnect batteries (or ensure they’re maintained/charged) so they don’t drain or freeze.  

    • Keep maintenance records/logs of what you did (so when spring/ production season comes, you’re ready).  

Material Benefits

Aluminum products offer numerous advantages, including enhanced longevity and minimal maintenance requirements, while maintaining structural integrity. As a lightweight metal, aluminum is advantageous for both setup and mobile applications, facilitating a more efficient installation process and reducing stress on supporting structures. Furthermore, aluminum possesses inherent corrosion-resistant properties that effectively prevent rust and oxidation. Its finish is naturally shiny and visually appealing, eliminating the need for additional paint or powder coating. Due to these characteristics, aluminum products necessitate minimal maintenance and can provide satisfaction over generations.

In contrast, steel products exhibit natural strength without the need for supplementary reinforcement. With appropriate maintenance and periodic coatings, steel can achieve an extended lifespan while sustaining its strength and integrity. Steel is also an economical choice owing to its recyclability and adaptability across various applications.

What Makes a Good Weld?

A high-quality weld displays several key visual characteristics that reflect strong workmanship and structural reliability. First, a good weld will have a uniform and consistent appearance. The bead should maintain an even width and height throughout, with smooth, steady ripples and no abrupt changes or irregularities. This consistency indicates proper control of heat and travel speed. The weld should also show evidence of good penetration, meaning it is well-fused into both pieces of metal. Smooth blending at the edges and appropriate reinforcement—slightly raised but not excessive—are strong indicators of proper fusion.

Additionally, a clean weld should be free of defects such as porosity, cracks, or undercutting. Porosity appears as small holes or pits on the surface and often results from contamination or poor shielding gas coverage. Cracks, even hairline ones, compromise the integrity of the weld and should never be present. Undercut, which looks like a groove along the edges of the weld bead, significantly weakens the joint and suggests incorrect technique or excessive heat.

A good weld also demonstrates smooth transitions at start and stop points or between multiple passes. There should be no abrupt bumps, craters, or incomplete tie-ins. In applications such as stainless steel TIG welding, proper coloration can also indicate correct heat input; light silver, gold, or straw tones are preferred, while darker blues or blacks may suggest overheating or oxidation.

Overall, a strong weld is clean, consistent, structurally sound, and free from visible imperfections. These qualities ensure durability, safety, and a professional level of craftsmanship.

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Summary Signs of a Good Weld

  • Uniform Appearance

  • Good Penetration

  • No Porosity

  • No Cracks

  • No Undercut

  • Appropriate Reinforcement

  • Smooth Tie-In

  • Correct Width for the Joint

  • Proper Color (for stainless/aluminum TIG)

 

Signs of a Bad Weld

  • Spatter everywhere

  • Irregular or bubbly surface

  • Visible inclusions (dark spots or foreign material)

  • Overlapping bead that doesn’t fuse into the base metal

  • Excessively burnt edges or warping

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