If you’re learning how to survive on a farm in Minecraft, having a simple and efficient setup is key—and this 40-step cow farm and barn is the perfect place to start.
This build is designed for early to mid-game survival, giving you a reliable source of food, leather, and resources without requiring a massive time investment.
With just a few materials and easy-to-follow steps, you’ll have a fully functional cow farm up and running in no time.
What this build offers:
A simple 40-step design that’s easy to follow
A compact barn perfect for survival worlds
A steady source of beef and leather for long-term survival
STEP 1 / 40
Create 2 pillars, both 4 blocks tall, including a barrel at the bottom, at the front of the barn.
-
x 2 -
x 6
STEP 2 / 40
Create 2 pillars.
-
x 8
STEP 3 / 40
Place 8 blocks above the entrance of the barn.
- x 8
STEP 4 / 40
Add the decor to the front of the barn.
-
x 2 -
x 8 -
x 2
STEP 5 / 40
Add 6 spruce fences to the entrance of the barn.
-
x 6
STEP 6 / 40
Place 2 barrels and 6 stripped oak logs at the left side of the barn.
- x 2
- x 6
STEP 7 / 40
Complete the left side of the barn.
- x 6
- x 12
STEP 8 / 40
Add 6 stairs and 6 fences to create windows on the left side of the barn.
- x 6
- x 6
STEP 9 / 40
Add 6 slabs in between the upper stairs.
-
x 6
STEP 10 / 40
Create a pillar, 4 blocks tall, including a barrel at the bottom, at the back of the barn.
- x 1
- x 3
STEP 11 / 40
Fill in the back of the barn.
- x 22
STEP 12 / 40
Add decor to the back of the barn and fill in the windows.
- x 8
- x 4
STEP 13 / 40
Add decor to the back of the barn.
- x 2
- x 2
STEP 14 / 40
Add 4 spruce trap doors to the window of the back of the barn and 2 additional blocks at the top.
-
x 4 - x 2
STEP 15 / 40
Fill in the right side of the barn.
- x 15
- x 3
- x 1
STEP 16 / 40
Add some shape to the entrance at the right side.
- x 2
- x 1
- x 4
STEP 17 / 40
Add 3 stairs to the right side of the barn.
- x 3
STEP 18 / 40
Add 6 spruce slabs to the right side of the barn.
- x 6
STEP 19 / 40
Add 4 birch planks to both the front and back of the roof.
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x 8
STEP 20 / 40
Add 11 spruce slabs to each side of the barn.
- x 22
STEP 21 / 40
Add awning to the front and back of the barn.
- x 16
STEP 22 / 40
Fill in the remainer of the roof of the barn using birch slabs.
-
x 64
STEP 23 / 40
- x 5
STEP 24 / 40
Finish the pen at the right side of the barn.
- x 13
STEP 25 / 40
Add a spruce stair.
- x 1
STEP 26 / 40
Add 2 posts in the animal pen.
- x 5
STEP 27 / 40
Add 2 posts in the animal pen.
- x 4
STEP 28 / 40
Add 5 campfire on the top of the animal pen.
-
x 5
STEP 29 / 40
Finish the roof of the animal pen.
- x 20
STEP 30 / 40
Add haybales to the animal pens.
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x 8
STEP 31 / 40
Add texture to floor of the animal pen.
-
x 5 -
x 3
STEP 32 / 40
Add slabs to the roof of the inside of the barn pen.
- x 42
STEP 33 / 40
Add lanterns to the inside of the barn.
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x 4
STEP 34 / 40
Add texture to floor of the barn.
- x 4
- x 5
STEP 35 / 40
Add haybales to the corner of the barn.
- x 9
STEP 36 / 40
Place spruce fences throughout the barn.
- x 6
STEP 37 / 40
Replace the outline blocks.
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x 7
STEP 38 / 40
Add 4 fences at the back of the animal pen.
- x 4
STEP 39 / 40
Add 2 fence gates to the entrance of the barn.
- x 2
STEP 40 / 40
Add cows to the barn.
-
x 4
Conclusion
You’ve now completed your simple cow farm and barn—giving you a reliable setup to support your survival world.
From food to materials, this build covers the essentials while still looking clean and organized in your farm area.
If you’re ready to upgrade your farm even further, consider building a red American barn for a larger, more detailed setup that can house multiple animals and expand your world even more.