Maximizing climate control in the barn is just one common sense way farmers can invest in their livestock and their livelihood. Proper ventilation improves animal well-being and farm profitability, and barn curtains are one of the go-to climate control options on the farm.

Read on for some key considerations when it comes to adding agricultural barn curtains to your dairy, poultry, hog, or other livestock set up.

Why Barn Curtains? Breaking Down The Benefits

Compared to four rigid walls, barn curtains offer flexibility to the farmer, no matter the season or climate. Flexible cooling aside, barn curtains check off a lot of other benefits too: from insulation to light control.

Natural Ventilation from Curtains – A Breath of Fresh Air

Open just a portion or all of the curtains to circulate fresh air through the facility. The flexible natural ventilation from barn curtain systems helps conserve energy and lower the cost of running fans or costly HVAC systems. Of course, an important purpose of barn ventilation is also to reduce dust, mold, gasses like ammonia and methane, moisture, and airborne disease.

A properly ventilated livestock barn reduces the occurrence of respiratory illness, especially in young animals – another positive step to improved health and productivity and decreased expense.

Curtain Insulation – Protection from the Elements

A quality curtain – when closed – protects animals from harsh weather and wind. The added level of insulation is the first step to better regulating temperature and creating a comfortable environment where your cattle and livestock will thrive.

A benefit of the insulation provided by barn curtains, and a running theme, is flexibility. There are a wide range of curtain thickness options available for farmers. This means you’re able to select the right material for your climate, time of year, and desired interior temperature. Material options also help control light entering the barn – something we’ll explore in further details next.

Temperature and Light Control

Quality livestock curtains provide farmers direct control of airflow and light inside of their barn. Curtains are available in different colors and thicknesses which can influence the amount of light allowed into the barn.

A lighter weight curtain that’s light in color or translucent provides more light during the day time, while dark colored or blackout curtains will keep the barn darker regardless the time of day.

The flexible options in color and thickness of barn curtains makes it easy for farmers to create the ideal environment for their animals and improve their productivity.

Choosing The Best Curtain For Your Needs And Budget

When considering barn curtains for your facility, you may be tempted to choose the most affordable upfront. Before making a decision about which curtain to install, consider these factors for the best result long term, then contact our expert team at Farmer Boy to find the best fit for you.

Curtain Quality

While a higher quality fabric may require a larger initial investment, the long-term benefit will likely be easier on your wallet. Cheaper curtains may break down faster and require repair more frequently or replacement earlier. Performance matters – the less often you must repair or replace your curtains, the less effect they have on your boom line over the long run. Rips and tears in curtains allow air to infiltrate the space, bringing in unwanted heat or cold.

A quality curtain will create a more consistently desirable environment for your animals and can last two- to three-times longer than lower quality fabrics. They’ll also often provide mildew and UV-resistance with stronger hems.

Breathable vs. Non-Breathable Fabric

Choosing a non-breathable fabric may seem counterintuitive, especially considering that we prefer to wear more breathable clothing on warm days to allow for airflow.

With barn curtains, though, a breathable option may be more difficult to manage ventilation and temperature. A non-breathable, quality fabric gives farmers greater control of ventilation with simple panel adjustments – keep panels closed to keep heat in and cold air out; open panels to circulate air and cool animals.

Curtain Color

Agricultural curtains come in a variety of colors that impact the amount of light let into the barn. Clear or translucent curtains will allow the most light to filter through, minimizing the need for dayme electric use and lowering energy costs.

Quality blackout curtains allow the least amount of light into the barn, which may be critical to production for some animals. For instance, poultry are light sensitive and controlling their exposure to light is an effective tool for managing their productivity. Be sure to invest in quality blackout curtains as more affordable options may let in more light than desired.

Farmer Friendly Functionality

Barn curtains either roll up or drop down, while some are outfitted to do both. There are advantages to each style, depending on the animals being housed.

Roll Up vs Drop Down Curtains

Roll up curtains are often used in freestall barns and provide a significant amount of airflow at ground level, ideal for quickly cooling cattle on hot days. Drop down curtains, on the other hand, blend incoming fresh air with warmer air near the barn roof. This prevents the shock of sudden temperature change, especially beneficial with young animals.

Manual vs Automated Curtains

Curtains can be rolled up or dropped down manually or using automation.

Manual curtains are raised by a hand crank, requiring attention and time from farm staff. This can be especially challenging in sudden inclement weather, requiring attention multiple times over the course of a day.

Automated curtains require less direct attention but do require periodic maintenance of curtain motors. They utilize thermostatic controls to manage the opening and closing of curtains based on the desired temperature and weather conditions. Rain and temperature sensors monitor conditions and are useful tools in managing venlaon.

Direct sun or wind-blown rain may only affect a particular section of curtains and will automatically adjust needed panels accordingly.

Shop Farmer Boy’s Livestock Curtain Systems For Your Barn

Barn curtains come with many considerations – weight, color, insulation and more. Choosing the best solution for your situation can be a tall task. Need help finding the perfect option for your barn and the needs of your livestock? Explore the barn curtain options available from Farmer Boy.

Trust the experts on our team to help guide you to the best product for your needs. Don’t hesitate to contact us online or to give us a call today at 1-800-845-3374 for assistance!