Hip barns were a very common in Saskatchewan from the late 1800's to the 1970's.  Farms in Saskatchewan were diversified at that time.  Meaning that farmers planted crops and had numerous farm animals, horses, cows, pigs, oxen, chickens, etc.  The barns were used to the store the straw, hay, and seeds from the crops during the winter; in the top part of the barn.  Animals lived in the bottom half sharing the space with the farm machinery.