The Goat Spot Forum banner

Wet and stinky barn

3.5K views 12 replies 11 participants last post by  5goatgirls  
#1 ·
what do you guys use to keep your barn floor dry and not smelling like ammonia? We got about 7 inches of rain in the last 2 weeks and it leaked in under the sill plate on our goat barn- that plus the urine and it is pretty spongy. Straw just holds the moisture in.
 
#8 ·
If ot were me I would muck out as much as I could then put some fans going(i have a big blower style fan) leave it going for as long as you can and then put some lime on the muddy mess and then if your budget allows put down some sand(my budget does not allow for sand) then put put down large flake shavings(you buy them at any feed store or TSC) then you can cover the shavings with straw.
 
#10 ·
they are locked out of it for about 10 hours a day unless it is raining- but then the doors have to be closed-:whatgoat:
+

Why is that? I'll be the first to admit I don't have this problem very often, but I have been in this position. A few years ago it started raining on the 31st of May and didn't quit until the 29th of June - I'm not kidding. I'm not a big believer in a closed and locked barn because the fastest way I know of to turn healthy goats into sick goats is to lock them in a barn. Leave the doors open, the breeze helps dry out the floor and reduce the odor.
 
#11 ·
I have a problem with my goat shed getting wet too inside after getting a lot of rain. I just bank all the bedding up or throw it out, put some lime down, let it dry out for a few hours, then put everything back. That always takes care of the smell and wetness :)
 
#12 ·
I had the same problem, 7 goats, 9 inches of rain in the last two weeks. I mucked out the entire barn,sprinkled lime (lots). :) then topped it with straw. I also tried the pallets with plywood on top .Worked great for the goats but I still have to slop thru it for fence maintenance or anything in the lot.
 
#13 ·
We just mucked out our girls sleeping barn after TS Andrea. We keep a fan running from one of the windows starting this time of year so that does help. I concur with everyone else on fans, lots of lime, and pine shavings. We do not use the wood pallets though because the girls have pretty much made craters on their dirt floor for sleeping. We have a small herd.