Need Help Planning Mini Barn ? ?

Started by LegendsCreekFarm, July 23, 2013, 09:10:15 AM

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LegendsCreekFarm

Hey everyone! I have been reading the forum off and on for a few weeks now as we get ready to begin planning for a building for our goats.

When we purchased the property in 2011, we lucked out when we found a very heavy duty 20' x 30' cement slab in the back of the property that was overgrown with brush. We have 21 goats, and are expanding very fast, and need adequate space for them.

I have been looking for weeks trying to find the most cost effective way we can build a shelter for them. We aren't looking for anything with a base or floor as I need to be able to bring a backhoe arm in to pull out the bedding and straw every few weeks. We thought about getting a structure that can mount right into the concrete slab.

We don't have a lot of money to spend on this. We looked at so many options, even diypolebarns.com, but they are a little pricey for what we are wanting to spend. We also looked at the possibility of using FarmTek and getting a pole and cloth material building for them as ideally we would like to build stalls, and be able to also park the backhoe in there.  Steel buildings might work also.

Should we be looking to hire builders, or are there any kits out there that might do what we are looking for?  We are complete newbs at this and don't want to get screwed.

rick91351

Hey  w* from Rick and Ellen up in Idaho. 

So you feel the problem is finding something that will work and use the existing slab?  Or here is another thought maybe the slab might be better used for something else.  Or might just need tore out to make room for _____.  What is the purpose of the goats?  How many do you want to expand to?  If you milk them do you need a milking spot as well in this building?  Thoughts and concerns about sanitation of the building and milking area?  All this is 'stuff' you have to think over and decide.  I have no experience with goats, don't want any experience with goats.  I have been around sheep, cattle and horses all my life.           

If you are a do it yourselfer there is nothing stopping you from well ...... doing it yourself.  Once you find a functioning design you can draw it out and customize it for your ideas some times 90% of the time is better than this is what is available.  However most on this forum are do it yourselfers and most have had very little building experience and found out they can do it.  As far as kits I just am not aware of any.  But some lumber yards would be glad to help you out figuring out your package.  If you have a back hoe there is about the most functioning piece of equipment to own when you start to build if you do it yourself.       
 

 
Proverbs 24:3-5 Through wisdom is an house builded; an by understanding it is established.  4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.  5 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.


LegendsCreekFarm

Rick and Ellen, thanks so much for getting back to me!  We are keeping goats because we want to ultimately start a dairy for cheese. Unfortunately, the slab is going to be too far away from the septic and well where we will make the cheese and do the milking, but that isn't a problem. Right now they are staying in a stall to the massive garage which is attached to our home, and the smell of urine and goat fills out home. It's disgusting! We really need to find a solution to get them moved down to their own cozy spot away from the house and thought the slab would be perfect.

I am not very handy with building, and am pretty new to it. I was thinking that maybe there were plans for an inexpensive building that would  be suitable, and I could hire a builder to put it together, or something. ... anything. lol.

rick91351

Wow lets get them moved ASAP.  Animals are enjoyable, useful and great have around but there is a certain point....... You are now way past that point.    The more I thought about your situation the more I think you hardly are in need of a mini-barn.  How about a full sized barn.  Then how about some open sided sheds.  They would be easy to clean.  If you feared cold, a tarp could be let down over the front to stop the cold winds and rolled back up when you decided it was okay. 

Have you asked anyone at Homesteading Today Forum?   
Proverbs 24:3-5 Through wisdom is an house builded; an by understanding it is established.  4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.  5 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.

Don_P

At 20x30 this isn't going to hold a whole lot, measure the backhoe.  Is it a shed that becomes a part of a larger building in the future or is it maybe a core building which can be shedded onto later... or is it too far away for long term, in which case something temporary is more on track. Build or have built, that depends on your situation.


rick91351

Quote from: Don_P on July 24, 2013, 04:52:55 AM
At 20x30 this isn't going to hold a whole lot, measure the backhoe.  Is it a shed that becomes a part of a larger building in the future or is it maybe a core building which can be shedded onto later... or is it too far away for long term, in which case something temporary is more on track. Build or have built, that depends on your situation.

Exactly why I say you would need a full sized barn.  I sort of kinda sorta meant drawn for you specific needs or a couple smaller sheds.  20 x 30 to me would be a sort of hard size to utilize to the fullest especially with a backhoe sitting in it.   

I was looking at some ideas people posted  on the web that raise goats and sheep.  This caused me to remember a couple small loafing sheds my dad and I built when I was a kid.  Most likely in the 12 x 16 range.  They were very easy to build and looked pretty nice, easy to keep mucked out.  They could be built with in your barn yard. 

Are you thinking of feeding them in the barn or shed or under cover or using exposed mangers or feed bunks?  Are they being sheltered to protect them from the elements or predators?  I know with sheep the coyotes and roaming dogs are a real problem especially at night.               
Proverbs 24:3-5 Through wisdom is an house builded; an by understanding it is established.  4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.  5 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.

Don_P

thinking more, if it has wiring, hoses, etc, better segregate it from the goats well, they run their own chop shop  :D

rick91351

Correct Don

Quote from: Don_P on July 24, 2013, 11:27:13 AM
thinking more, if it has wiring, hoses, etc, better segregate it from the goats well, they run their own chop shop  :D

Like I say I don't know anything about goats - do want know anything about them.  Anything that asks like this on an electric fence is not right... ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ4PX0jeYR4
Proverbs 24:3-5 Through wisdom is an house builded; an by understanding it is established.  4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.  5 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.

Squirl

There are many state agricultural extension websites that have free barn plans.

http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/extension-aben/buildingplans/

With the 20x30 slab, I was thinking of it as the main barn and pole shed extensions for extra space.  Like  this one.
http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=11112.msg145817#msg145817

You can buy prebuilt trusses for the roof framing.  You can use 2x4 walls, sheathed in hardyboard, t1-11, smartside, or exterior plywood.  Hiring a framer for such a basic structure shouldn't be difficult or expensive.  Get good references first.  You may be able to cut down on the cost if you offer to help.  This way you will also gain some of the knowledge and confidence that will help you for a lifetime in farming.

I normally see people use skid steers or a small front end loader rather than backhoes.