Goat shed

oz_sprog · #1 07/08/08, 09:31 PM

We're thinking about getting a couple a dairy goats and we're looking for ideas to either make a shed/pen or buy one. We're about 60 miles west of Denver and the winters can be harsh, zone 4, so something that will keep the wind snow out is a must. Anyone with any suggestions or have one to sell in CO, let me know

Freeholder · #2 07/08/08, 09:42 PM

All they really need is a three-sided shelter with the open side facing away from prevailing winds (usually face the open side south). Give them deep bedding, and they can manage almost any amount of cold (I had goats in the Interior of Alaska, where it gets a lot colder than in Colorado). You will need some space outside their pen, but inside the shelter, for feed and equipment storage, and for a milking stand. I use a headlamp for doing chores when it's dark out, so you don't really need to have electricity. Carrying buckets of water (or five-gallon jugs of water) in the winter gets tiresome, but it's manageable.

Kathleen

Minelson · #3 07/08/08, 10:37 PM

I put a wanted ad in the local paper and ended up with a wonderful shed! The ad just said Wanted: small shed for goats...and my phone number.

I ended up with this...
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8...D480/ry%3D320/

RiverPines · #4 07/09/08, 02:15 AM

We used tall 3 sided sheds but it wasnt sufficient in winter. The winds blow in now matter how you place it since winter winds come from all directions and is cold.

What we found that works is building a smaller deep shed. It looks like a mini barn roof that sits on the ground and the front has half a wall so if the winds blow to its front, they can get behind the 1/2 wall. Being deep it can be packed with hay and they bed down deep inside. Being only as tall as the adult goats and no taller, less wind gets in too. Its more cave like and given choice of shelters, which ours have several, they prefer the 3 and 1/2 sided cave like shelter.

chewie · #5 07/09/08, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minelson

I put a wanted ad in the local paper and ended up with a wonderful shed! The ad just said Wanted: small shed for goats...and my phone number.

I ended up with this...
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8...D480/ry%3D320/

wow, ask and ye shall receive, in the fullest!! that's a great shed.

manygoatsnmore · #6 07/09/08, 03:11 PM

I like the idea of the 3 1/2 sided shelter. I've also seen plans for something similar to that, only with a second wall on the 1/2 walled side, coming from the other side, so they actually walk through something like an S-curve into the interior. The second wall blocks the rest of the wind, giving them a snug shelter inside. (Does that make any sense?)

Nice shed, Minelson. Did they deliver it or did you have to go get it? How big is it? Looks like a pretty decent shelter.

Minelson · #7 07/09/08, 03:44 PM

They delivered it. Got it from a nice neighborly farmer a few miles from us. He had it built 6 years ago for calving. When it was delivered to his place they just set it near their driveway and the daughter came home from school and pulled her car in and used it for that from then on! So it's never seen animals and in perfect shape

It's 12' wide and around 18-20' deep. We got it for the goats but it's plenty big enough for the 2 horses and they are using it now...they love it! The back top 1/4 opens if wanted to let air flow through. It's in our west pasture which is not used in the winter so hubby will park the tractor in it. It's also easy to pull around so we can always move it anywhere we want. Can you tell I love it! $600!!!!!!! Yipeee!

thaiblue12 · #8 07/09/08, 05:23 PM

Well Oz you aren't that far from me. Yes it can be icky cold here and you probably get more snow being further west.
I built my barn out of free shipping crates. It was going to be 13' by 13' but ended up 13 by 26 feet. Goats tend to mulitply so I figured that in and made it larger.
There are alot of free pallets out there and you can find them on craigs as well and you can make some of the things seen below. It says chickens but works just as well on goats. I started to make one but lost my patience and threw a tarp over it for the boys. I will finish it before winter hits. A good layer of straw will help too when the temp really drops.
A member on here Vashti I think has alot of dairy goats for sale. She might be closer to you than me.

http://www.backyardchickens.com/coops/pallet-coop.html

http://summerville-novascotia.com/PalletShed/

oz_sprog · #9 07/10/08, 01:20 PM

Thanks for the tips