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May 29, 2005

Weekend Project: Movable Goat Shed

We needed a new goat shelter. Each shed we build we improve on its design just a little bit. This one we truly wanted to be able to move.
The entire shed rests on 2x10 skids. The holes were drilled with the intention of using them to anchor a chain.
Hanks snoozes through our construction. We had just finished chores (feeding goats and chickens) and chasing everything wears him out.
Framed up and ready for roofing. We are using painted metal roofing, 8' long. We made the she a little shorter than what the metal sheets would cover, so about 10' wide covered by 12' roofing. It is 6' deep.
Token artsy shot. It was a very nice day.
Roof is on and we start doing the walls. While all of our other sheds are board and batting, this one uses plywood to keep its weight down.
Almost done. Yes Murphy has to be in every picture, and he usually is -- I just cut him out ;-)
We ended up not using the holes for the chain and placed this 2x4 across one side. If you use one chain in these holes, it will draw up and tighten and bring the skids together. Not good! You could use 3 chains, and use one on each side to create a loop and the third chain to bring them together and attach it to the tractor, or you can use this method.
Done and ready to move.
And Hank wakes up just in time to help.
The boom is attached and we start dragging shed into place.
Close call by the house.
Hank is an eager helper.
Going down the hill was less eventful than I thought.
And the shed is in place. We need to put up some (more) fencing and move goats around. We are always doing fencing.

Posted by roosterh at May 29, 2005 6:43 PM

Comments

I think your shed is very nice! I am just getting my little farm started (23 acres). I am exploring different types of shelters. I have a barn, however, it is not assesable from all pastures. I have gotten bids to build a shed but they are really more than I would like to spend. When I saw your shed, I thought, maybe I might be able to build it myself. Could you give me more details about your shed and tell me if you think it is a beginner project. Also, could you tell me about how much the construction cost was. (Do you think it would have been overturned in the storm?)
P.S. I enjoyed looking at your pictures and reading your comments.

Thank you very much!

Posted by: Pam at June 15, 2005 10:34 AM

Posted to Farm Collies | Goats

Hi Pam --
Looking over my receipts the shed cost about $200 in new materials. We already had the screws and other other hardware, but purchased the plywood, framing lumber and roofing.
I think it is a project best done by 2 people as the roofing lumber definitely needs the extra hands. ANd the metal roofing as well.
It definitely would be sturdy in a storm. I have had worries about our portahuts, which are much lighter that this shed, and they have not overturned yet.
We don't really have a plan for it as my husband built it as he went.

Posted by: Mo at June 25, 2005 9:42 AM

Posted to Farm Collies | Goats

Hi! What a great idea! It looks very sturdy. We just bought our first goats and being in Jackson, WY (very cold) we want to be sure that they well be warm enough this coming winter. Did your shed have a plywood floor? Would you recommend a floor or just dirt with hay? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Posted by: Tamara at June 29, 2005 11:24 AM

Posted to Farm Collies | Goats

Hi Tamara--
The sheds have no floors so they are lighter and easier to move. In the winter, the goats stay inside a lot and the hay builds up, making it warm and snug. The hardest part is removing the hay in the spring. Even though we periodically fork it out throughout the winter, it still packs down pretty hard in and around the shed.
Since the shed has 3.5 walls, it provides enough shelter.

Posted by: Mo at June 29, 2005 12:46 PM

Posted to Farm Collies | Goats

Do you know if a "rock dust" (i.e., crushed gray stone) base in our new cow stalls will present any fleece problems for Angoras -- using a bedding of straw on top of the base, of course.

This rock dust packs down quite firm, and allows good drainage for a nice dry surface.

Just don't want to ruin Angora fleeces!!
Thanks!

Posted by: Shirley at October 13, 2005 9:11 PM

Posted to Farm Collies | Goats

Hi Shirley -- I don't keep angoras, but I asked someone who did and she says:
"Hi--if that rock dust is the same as I am thinking--like from the race track-I dont see a problem with it unless the goats lay in it when it is wet and then I would only see it as getting the fiber dirty and a little harder to clean!"
Hope this helps!

Posted by: Mo Barger at October 26, 2005 7:56 AM

Posted to Farm Collies | Goats

My husband and I are thinking about getting 20 goats.
We have a movable chicken house he built. It is quite fancy, with insulated walls, etc.
I never raised goats in a cold climate.
Your shed looks really good. The upper part provides the ventilation they need.
We live in a windy area. Do you think wind and rain might be a concern with goats and that pen?
How big is the pen? How many goats will it protect?
We look forward to you answers. I am clueless. This is my project and I want to make sure I can take care of them properly.
Best Regards,

Posted by: Lenise Dutson at December 28, 2005 11:24 AM

Posted to Farm Collies | Goats

Looks great... can you pls post or send me the dimensions for your shelter ? What the thickness of the plywood that you use ? thanks Sara

Posted by: Sara at March 26, 2006 8:37 PM

Posted to Farm Collies | Goats

I've inherited a goat from my neighbor and now need to build a shed and fence it in. The shed you have built is exactly what I have invisioned building. The only problem is I really am useless when it comes to this type of construction work. Would you have a plan or "blueprint" that I could borrow from you to get this project going? Any help you could give will help. Thank you very much.

Posted by: steve peters at March 28, 2006 8:04 PM

Posted to Farm Collies | Goats

If you put that 2x4 between the skids rather than over them, it would brace those members and keep them from being "pinched" together and stressing the whole shed while dragging it with a chain. A 4x4 might be even better for that purpose. Good pictures! Thanks for putting them up! --Jim

Posted by: Jim at May 14, 2006 10:42 AM

Posted to Farm Collies | Goats

Hello. What an awesome shelter! Are you willing to share the dimension and materials list. Its exactly what I am looking to build for our little family of goats here in Oregon. Thanks so much...John

Posted by: John at July 18, 2006 5:27 PM

Posted to Farm Collies | Goats

I have just started my 4-H project with four goats and they will be breed soon and will be birthing during the rainy season. This shelter would be great since I do not have any shelter for them. Would you consider sending the plans so I can have my dad make this for me?

Posted by: Lisa at July 24, 2006 3:17 PM

Posted to Farm Collies | Goats

Plans would be great, but your pictures are so good I think I can devise a similar structure without. One question, though. Except for the skids and roof attachment cross boards, is the frame entirely 2x4 construction? In some pictures it looks like some additional 2x6s may be used, in others it looks to be entirely 2x4.

Posted by: Burke Ryder at August 29, 2006 3:32 PM

Posted to Farm Collies | Goats

This is great! I found your site by searching for goat pens. I wanted on on skids that I could move from one pasture to another. Thanks.

Posted by: Molly at September 3, 2006 1:42 AM

Posted to Farm Collies | Goats

I am enjoying your site with my pre dawn hot cider. I have a Nubian wether cross of unknown%. I really handled his ears for the first time yesterday. He has rough dotd on the underside of his ears. Is this normal?

Posted by: paul at November 25, 2006 9:59 AM

Posted to Farm Collies | Goats

We built a shed using your plans and it came out great, although we had to extrapolate many of the measurements which were not shown. We did make one or two improvements. Instead of attaching an outside crossmember between the skids to hook the tow chain to (which could create a leg trap) we doubled the 2x4 cross pieces which attach the skids, then drilled two holes in them a few feet apart and installed heavy eyebolts. It only increases the weight a few pounds but the frame is much sturdier.

Also, we salvaged some used concrete forms to make raised platforms inside, which keeps the straw and the goats off the cold, wet ground. They can be easily cleaned of straw and pulled out when it's time to move the shed.

Finally, we have occasional 60-100 mph winds where we live in Utah. The very first big windstorm came only a week after we built the house, and it blew the goat house over, leaving two very surprised (and wet) goats standing in the storm at 2 a.m. We have since reoriented the house so the wind can't blow in the door (which is what caused it to tip) and chained the skids to the ground using heavy screw-in stakes.

In every other respect it's a great house and my two big pack goats love it! Thanks for sharing your plans.

Posted by: Andrea Widdison at December 28, 2006 5:42 PM

Posted to Farm Collies | Goats

Hey, I run a sheds company in Australia and just wondered if you had any photos of your Goat sheds on the net anywhere that i could look at?

Cheers, TonyinAus

Posted by: sheds at May 18, 2007 9:53 AM

Posted to Farm Collies | Goats

I was interested in seeing if you could send me a plan to build a shed similar to yours. Seems like a real good idea and i am in need of a few shed and movable would be even better. I raise registered myotonics and various other types of goats. If you don't mind sending me a plan and cost estimate i would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks, Kurt Williams www.apeculiafarm.com Peculiar,MO

Posted by: Kurt Williams at February 28, 2008 5:53 PM

Posted to Farm Collies | Goats

We really like this design!
You do not mind if we copy??

Posted by: Jinx at August 21, 2008 8:02 PM

Posted to Farm Collies | Goats

Your Web Site is really wonderful and I bookmarked it. Thank your for the hard work you must have put in to create this wonderful facility. Keep up the excellent work!

Posted by: Tramadol_evangosse at October 26, 2008 10:04 AM

Posted to Farm Collies | Goats

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