The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: Baois Glas on November 09, 2014, 01:56:14 pm
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We are thinking of converting our byre into a goat shed. At the moment it has 3 bays with half height walls, I've hopefully attached a few pics of the byre, do the walls/size of the bays looks big enough for goat pens if we put a gate on the front, or are the walls too low and the bays too small?
(http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q521/nagsequestrian/DSCF31641_zpsf51bb258.jpg) (http://s1162.photobucket.com/user/nagsequestrian/media/DSCF31641_zpsf51bb258.jpg.html)
(http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q521/nagsequestrian/DSCF31631_zps8340c9be.jpg) (http://s1162.photobucket.com/user/nagsequestrian/media/DSCF31631_zps8340c9be.jpg.html)
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I believe about 8 x6 ft is a good size for a pen. You want the sides fairly high so that they can't jump over them. Maybe if they aren't high enough you could use weld mesh to increase the height. That way you keep good ventilation and they can see each other.
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Quick measurement of the byre:
Wall height - 3ft10
Bay width - 6ft5
Bay depth - 4ft 6
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Wish I had a floor like that in mine.
With that arrangement I'd extend the partitions forward to the edge of the gutter and put a front on.
Raise the partitions to at least 4' 6" with boards or weld mesh.
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Wish I had a floor like that in mine.
With that arrangement I'd extend the partitions forward to the edge of the gutter and put a front on.
Raise the partitions to at least 4' 6" with boards or weld mesh.
I would ditto extending the partitions forward, and then putting a front on. I don't know if I would raise the height straight away for female goats, maybe depends on which breed I have. I would be prepared to extend the height though just in case.
Beth
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What's the roof made of? If metal sheets you will have problems with condensation, so think about getting some holes into the walls above goat head height to improve ventilation.
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Thanks everyone, I will have a look at extending the bays. :)
The roof is tin sheeting, but the walls already have holes/small windows above where the goats would be (can be seen on the pics, one above each bay : ) )
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Looks like it will be cozy with a bit of tweeking!!