this is a cross-post from poultry FYI:
Hi everyone,
Well, we are gearing up for our move from Texas to Maryland
and because of the distance have had to modify our usual approach to animal housing and reluctantly look for "pre-fab" shelter for the 3 goats and 5 chickens. (Previously I just dove into the scrap wood pile and added a few pallets, a sheet of plywood and some baling twine and straw and VOILA! A Goatie House!)
BUT, since I in no way have the ability to leave the farm here in Texas for a week in order to fly out to Maryland to build horse fence, horse run-in shelter, chicken coop, AND goat house, I've been looking into ordering a shed that could be both a goat house and chicken coop in one.
Well, last week the cheapest wooden shed 6x8 I found was for $849 at Lowes. I was ready to make them all live together in the horse trailer at that price and size!
BUT, just this week Home Depot put their 10'x10'x8'H "Princeton" model on sale for $699.00 including a pressure treated floor frame. All pieces are pre-cut to size, primed, and all hardware for assembly is included. It is framed out with 2x3s 24" on center. All the buyer needs to provide is paint and roof shingles or tin.
Of course, if I was building it myself it would be 2x4s on 16" centers, but I intent to line the interior with a 4' high "kick board" which should add some structural integrity.
I will "loft" the chickens and give them their own entrance with ladder to the yard outside. Goats will get a goatie door (they are used to this).
