Loafing shed flooring: What to use?

[Folio]

We have two loafing sheds that serve as shelter and feeding stations for one sheep, four llamas, and a couple horses. They are approximately 50 X 36 feet in size and closed on three sides. I've cleaned the floors down to hard pan, about 6-8" below grade, creating a significant drainage problem. I want to build the floor back up, but don't know what material to use that is economically viable. Someone has suggested granite fines, but I really don't know what that means, pro or con.

I want some thing that drains (water and animal urine) handily, is easy on animal feet, convenient to clean (discarded hay and manure mostly), and affordable. Any suggestions?

I'm proficient with my CUT tractor, FEL, and a box blade. Would appreciate any suggestions.

Ray

 

[flusher]

We have two loafing sheds that serve as shelter and feeding stations for one sheep, four llamas, and a couple horses. They are approximately 50 X 36 feet in size and closed on three sides. I've cleaned the floors down to hard pan, about 6-8" below grade, creating a significant drainage problem. I want to build the floor back up, but don't know what material to use that is economically viable. Someone has suggested granite fines, but I really don't know what that means, pro or con.

I want some thing that drains (water and animal urine) handily, is easy on animal feet, convenient to clean (discarded hay and manure mostly), and affordable. Any suggestions?

I'm proficient with my CUT tractor, FEL, and a box blade. Would appreciate any suggestions.

Ray

Granite fines====he probably means decomposed granite which is granite gravel with size ranging from pea size to dust. It's dense and when installed properly does not drain readily. Landscapers use DG to make nice, dense, non-porous walking paths. Probably not what you need in your application.

You say drains water and urine readily--I don't see any drainage happening since by excavating down to hardpan, you've essentially made an watertight container 50x36 ft x 6" deep--a giant litter box for your cattle. The only way I know to handle a litter box is with kitty litter or something equivalent that absorbes the water and urine and then can be scooped out and trashed .

 

[boomer1025]

Several choices, cement floor or use a product called dirt concrete or they make a road base fabric that cold be layed down then covered with stone and a very fine top coat.
Any thing to keep the water and urine from laying under the top coat. I'd pour a cement floor, alot easier to keep clean & dry.