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Brief question about housing size

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12K views 201 replies 14 participants last post by  andunham  
#1 · (Edited)
Hi, all.

My two boys are 9 months old - this spring, right around their birthday (around May 1st or 2nd) I'm having some Amish friends build a new "barn" for them. They seem to be Alpine mixed with unknown other breed (breeds?) and it's unclear how big they will get. My new vet believes there is a good possibility their growth will be stunted, just not sure how much. I'll attach some photos so you can get an idea of what they look like for size now.

Getting to my actual question: will a 10x10 loft barn be big enough for the two of them? I think we have a 6x8, or 8x8 right now, and they're starting to get a little crowded. Don't get me wrong, they have room to move around and what not, but I want to make sure they have enough space to really walk around if they want to. It will be untreated wood (not sure what kind yet, but I believe it's a harder type of wood). I plan to treat the wood on the outside to avoid any kind of deterioration or rot from the elements, but what do you do with the inside? My boys have a penchant for wanting to scrape off wood occasionally, and if by chance they decided to scrape their teeth on it or give it a little taste, I do NOT want to chance ANY kind of chemical being ingested. They've had a rough enough start in life and I don't need them getting poisoned because I don't know what I'm doing. Will urine, etc. rot the inside wood? Make it retain a bad smell?

Thanks!
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#2 ·
I don’t think your going to be happy with a 10X10 if you want it really roomy for them.
If you get a tape measure and measure what’s already out there for them and just do a fast marking on the ground of the extra few feet that would be added on your going to see that it’s not going to be that much bigger then what they already have.
 
#3 ·
Jessica84 said:
I don’t think your going to be happy with a 10X10 if you want it really roomy for them.
If you get a tape measure and measure what’s already out there for them and just do a fast marking on the ground of the extra few feet that would be added on your going to see that it’s not going to be that much bigger then what they already have.
Click to expand...
That is... extremely logical and practical, and I'm now going "why in the world did you not think of this simple solution?" My son and I will go out and measure - I want them to have enough room to really walk around and make sure they are comfortable. The Amish here will build a 16x20 for $2200 which is a STEAL. Only thing is we have to get a permit because it's larger than 10x10 - not that it's a big deal to get a permit lol
 
#4 ·
If you can swing the 16x20 go for it! You’ll be happier and so will your goats. One thing I’ve learned is, that you can never have a big enough barn! If nothing else you can dedicate one corner to a feed and supply room It will make your life easier and you’ll have more goat time to enjoy if everything’s in one place.
 
#11 ·
So, I think this is directly related to housing so I didn’t want to make another post (I have like 16 different threads). Since this past Sunday we have had negative degree weather, and days where there were single digit wind chills. My boys have gotten out for a few hours, they got out about three or four hours one day and about an hour and a half yesterday. I make sure they have plenty of ventilation because I know pneumonia is a big thing. I make sure to keep their bedding clean and dry (a modified deep litter method) but I feel guilty for keeping them inside of their shelter. When it is as cold as it has been I generally let them out when I can be with them. The snow is high enough that it can touch their bellies and I worry about them getting too cold. Long story short, my mothers husband won’t fix our snowblower, and shoveling with one hand is really difficult if not impossible. I have an idea for making paths, where I’m going to put my son in a makeshift sled and push him around so they have paths to run on lol . Does anyone else have cold weather like this and large amounts of snow, and how do you deal with getting them out for exercise and fresh air? I’ve gotten some great advice on here, and have let them out in whether I thought was too cold, and they just puffed themselves up and seemed fine, but this has been consistent snowy weather with extremely cold wind chills, and I’m worried that they will get too cold. I’m probably being paranoid.
 
#13 · (Edited)
They can go in and out of their shelter as they please. The door does face the wind, but when they are out I prop it so it isn’t open all the way, protecting the area they tend to rest in and where they eat/drink is also protected. The wind today is light, but it makes it so the “feels like” is -1. I’ve been out here with them for an hour and I’m alright but I still worry about them. Edit: we were out for an hour and 15; I started to get cold and thirsty. I managed to clean their bedding and give them fresh hay and warm water. We will go out again a little later. I just feel better being out there. I know if I’m to the point I cannot stand it any longer, then it’s really freakin cold lol
 
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#22 ·
Just a quick update on the little barn building! I’m getting a 12x14 which also gets delivered and placed where i want it in the yard. It’s only 2750$ compared to something I looked at through Lowes with lower quality and double the price! I’m excited and can’t wait to get it and post pics!
 
#28 ·
Just a note for treating your new barn- if you use raw linseed oil to coat it really well, it’ll work great. It’s even safe to eat… don’t get the boiled linseed oil which has a poisonous additive which is supposed to help it dry faster. Raw linseed oil takes longer to dry, but it soaks into the wood better as well.
Good luck 🍀
 
#38 ·
Thank you, thank you! I can’t wait to get it. The same or next day I’ll be putting some sealant on the floor so pee doesn’t soak in and letting it dry, then I’ll put up the cattle panels and put the bedding in and they will have so much more room! I hope they’ll love it as much as I do!
 
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