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 2×10 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 2×4 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.
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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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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,
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
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.
If you put that 2×4 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 4×4 might be even better for that purpose. Good pictures! Thanks for putting them up! –Jim
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
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?
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 2×4 construction? In some pictures it looks like some additional 2x6s may be used, in others it looks to be entirely 2×4.
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.
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?
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 2×4 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.
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
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 http://www.apeculiafarm.com Peculiar,MO
We really like this design!
You do not mind if we copy??
My boys and I are just getting into goats, and this is just what we were looking for. Do you have specific dimensions and/or plans? Thanks for sharing this!
Thanks, Jeff
Merry Christmas, and thanks for the gift, because seeing your movable goat shed was just that. I got my three goats on July 4th. It was always my intention to build a movable shed similar to yours. I had never seen it done but felt it would work, although some did not. I have researched plenty and after looking at prefab calf and goat hutches that still need a front and back added, for even more money, I always came back to my original idea.
My biggest fear and the reason it isn’t built yet has been that the shelter would be impossible to move if the fields got muddy. Oddly we have had more rain this fall and winter than I have ever seen. I would be very interested in your experience with how things have worked for you on soft or muddy ground. I have an old 32 HP tractor that I’d do the moving with as I think it would be to heavy for the draft horses. This is really my only hesitation. I’ve had the building materials for months. I’d really appreciate your input. You have a great Website. Thanks for sharing the pictures.
Plans for a goat house!!
This was exactly what we were looing for. A view of the shell, and pics of the steps along the build process. I need say no more except thanks1
Looking for more detailed plans of your goat house. I am planning to alter it so the ends are open, since it gets so hot here in Florida. Thanks!
your movable goat house is exactly what we’re looking to build for aour goats. I have priced out the materials list based on your photos but if you have plans I would really appreciate getting a copy of those. thanks for the great idea.
What’s the approximate size? My guess is about 10′ x 5′.
Hi,
I’m also looking for simple goat housing for our 1st 4-H project. And your shed looks simple enough to build as well as being the right size for our 2 wethers. Do you have plans available for this movable goat shed?
-Pat