This Minecraft cow barn is the perfect starter build for players learning how to survive on a farm in Minecraft, offering a simple and efficient setup in just 40 steps.
Designed for early to mid-game survival, it provides 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 and barn 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
Build Sizing
The sizing to use for your build
The layout above shows the footprint and dimensions of this build before you begin. Use it as a reference to make sure your foundation and overall shape match the tutorial, helping you stay on track and avoid mistakes as you build.
How to build a cow barn in Minecraft
STEP 1 / 40
Start your minecraft cow barn by creating 2 front pillars, each 4 blocks tall, with a barrel at the base of each pillar.
- 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 decorative details to the front of your minecraft cow 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
At the back of the cow barn in minecraft, create a 4-block-tall pillar with a barrel at the bottom.
- 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 minecraft cow 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.
- 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
Finish the roof of the cow barn in minecraft 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
Complete the roof of the animal pen attached to your minecraft cow barn.
- x 20
STEP 30 / 40
Add haybales to the animal pens.
- 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 throughout the inside of the cow barn in minecraft.
- 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.
- 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
Finish your minecraft cow barn by adding cows to the barn and animal pen.
- 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.