Would you use these building materials for goat housing?

I think a goat barn made of pallets, standing up on a foundation of cinder blocks, then tied together with 2x4's screwed across them, then a skin of galvanized metal all around and over the top, would be excellent. Maybe some T posts at the corners where the pallets can be secured. The metal would keep the wind and wet out. The pallets would withstand goat butting, wind, and predators, and give it a sturdy shape. And the cinder blocks would keep it all from rotting.

Wooden cable spools are great for the goats' pen. They are constantly jumping up on them to play or get a better look around, or just be a big shot. I cover any holes in the top with old plywood to keep the goats from getting a foot caught and injured.

I think the greenhouse cover is over kill. Though I disagree that it does nothing to retain heat - it is used in greenhouses for a reason. But you can find something cheaper that will do what you need it to do. Since you are in a cold climate- you DO need to consider that they might spend a lot of time inside and if it's dark, it might not be too comforatble for them - though I know cows, at least, can see well in the dark. I'm not sure about goats. I have a tarp covered shelter and it gets really dark in there. We'll use something else for a cover when this one is finished.

YES! That's exactly my intention.

Another question... What about ventilation? I'm assuming its as important as for chickens?

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I just can't believe that it ever gets bitterly cold in texas. sheesh!

Ferf, I live in east central wisconsin and I have goats outside year round. I use calf huts, because that is what I have. When I lived in Indiana, Their shelter was a sheet of plywood leaned against a tree. I lived in a nook with trees on three sides, but we still had weather.

Here in WI, we get a LOT of wind. I'm talking 4 foot drifts and 30 MPH is common. 8 foot rock hard drifts and -20 happens. Wind, wind, wind, did I mention freezing wind?

My goats have calf huts and they do fine. I face the openings slightly southeast, and I have several huts all angled a bit differently. I bed them as needed, sometimes its daily, and when the roof gets kind of low because the bedding is too tall, I shovel out a rectangle next to the hut, down to the grass, and slide the thing over one space. Now sometimes, I have to break it off the ground. Winter after all, but you get the idea.

The key thing here, is out of the wind, and dry on the bottom. Its ok to let the bedding build, as the fermentation helps keep them warm, but it needs to be dry enough so when they lay down and get up, their bellies aren't wet. When it looks wet, add more. When the wind is super bad, I feed them in the huts, a few slabs at a time. They eat some and the rest becomes bedding.

I have had cases where a goat chose the wrong hut, and I had a pair of Obers once that preferred to sleep next to the feeder, then a blizzard hit and they got buried. I dug them out, dusted them off and moved location. I watch them constantly in bad weather. The other key thing to having goats outside over winter here, is feed.

Never let them run out of hay. A ruminant that doesn't have a belly full of hay will freeze to death. The fermentation inside keeps them warm. And if you are able, water them with warm water. We always water hot once it drops below freezing and stays there. It helps keep the warm pail from getting ice full and they like it so they drink more. Wind causes dehydration.

And, if you aren't opposed, dump a little syrup into that warm water. They REALLY like that, and a little sugar boost keeps them active when its really, really freezing. Just be prepared for disguist and dissapointment when you don't. I would only do that on those -20 days, or when the weather is unbearable, otherwise they chose not to exit the huts and drink.

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