Question # 247

[o&itw]

In looking at the pictures and videos of many goat enclosures and stalls, I have noticed that everyone's boards are always smooth (planed). While I would like my barn to look like a Louisville thoroughbred barn, money will be a consideration in construction of the pens.

Locally, I can by lumber much less expensively from a sawmill. It won't be planned but rough (think of the finish of wood on pallets, etc.) Is there a problem with this? Will it cause splinters or something? It has never been a problem with other farm animals.

[coso]

No problems that I know of. We have used rough lumber for years on gates and pens for goats. You use green oak lumber inside, it will last for years. Course you can't hardly drive a nail in it after a couple.

[iloveafarmer]

Our wood is un-planed, from a local sawmill here. No issues except I think they get a better scratching post

[Double H Ranch]

once they get to chewing on it, it will all be rough anyway. =)

[Cyngbaeld]

Just don't use plywood or osb where the goats can reach it. That is much to tempting to some of the darlings. You should see what they did to my lovely garden cart that has/had plywood sides and deck.

[GoatJunkie]

My pen and shelter walls are chain link. My shelter dividers are all constructed of two parallel pallets stuffed with bedding straw. I have no problems with this.

[CaliannG]

~smiles~ Rough wood will eventually get smoothed by rubbing. Smooth wood will eventually get rough by climbing, pawing, and chewing. Don't worry about it.

[where I want to]

Much of my sheds and run ins are made from redwood that was cut and saw here. It's actually better for me as it's true dimension.

[o&itw]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Another consideration checked off the list.

[Hollowdweller]

I have noticed that everyone's boards are always smooth (planed).

Mine aren't

[Ford Zoo]

The only reason some of my pens are made with nicely planes, routered, and stained boards is because I bought someone's old deck for next to nothing. Yes, I'm cheap that way. A few of my pens are made out of wood pallets. My recylcling used to drive my hubby nuts, until he finally realized that it works and I am expanding while saving a ton of money! I have noticed no difference with smooth vs rough wood, other than agreeing that the goats are going to do whatever they want to it.

[Double H Ranch]

Originally Posted by Cyngbaeld

Just don't use plywood or osb where the goats can reach it. That is much to tempting to some of the darlings. You should see what they did to my lovely garden cart that has/had plywood sides and deck.

I had a chicken coop made out of plywood one time, wood chip by wood chip my chicken coop looked like it had chicken pocks after we turned the goats into the pasture. lol!