I had this idea that pehaps I could wire two cattle panels together and bend them over like a hoop house cut another cattle panel to cover the back and cover it all in corrugated galvanized to make decent, cheap, somewhat portable, not so easily destructible goat shelters.

I have one wether that has horns and he literally just slowly rams everything I build for him until the joints break apart. I thought this would have enough flex, and no climability from the outside that it wouldn't be such a waste. I can't afford to have shelters welded, and tho' I will never have another horned goat, this guy is my rear guard against coyotes, and a pet.

Whattya think? I also was thinking this would be good for my less destructive goats. Anyone have experience with this?

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@yahoo.com), January 18, 2002

Answers

Doreen, go for it! I consider myself the queen of the do-it-yourself shelters and if you think "outside the box" (or in this case outside "the barn") you can come up with all sorts of practical, if not pretty goat housing. Actually your idea is very similar to hoop shelters I see advertised. In the winter you could even throw some tarps over it for insulation, as anything metal is gonna be pretty cold. We love our critters so much and want them to be comfortable that I think we tend to forget that goats don't need a whole lot in shelter. If you go ahead let us know how you're doing.

-- Lynn (moonspinner@bluefrognet.net), January 18, 2002.

You may want to secure the sides of the hoop house with t-post every 4 feet or so, this will also make it more like a fence around the outside. Left without this bracing, my girl friends LaMancha's would spring up and ontop of the hoop house! :) How about dehorning the guy while it isn't fly seaon, keeps them from raming! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), January 18, 2002.

I meant to put in that I would hold it down with T posts...duh. So, does anyone have that link for dehorning with bands handy? I think I'm gonna give it a shot. This wether kind of complicates things too much as he is the only one with horns. I can't put any goats in with him, and he gives me a real workout when I trim his hooves. Don't know that dehorning would help that too terrifically, but it would make one less thing to watch out for while I trim.

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@yahoo.com), January 19, 2002.

Doreen, here's an excellent dehorning site complete with illustration. greatgoats.com/articles/dehorning.html Please let us know how it goes! I have a four inch scur on my doe that I'm dying (but chicken totry) dehorning!

-- Lynn (moonspinner@bluefrognet.net), January 19, 2002.

Covers for cattle panel shelters. You can put plastic over them then get an indoor out door rug to put over it. Recycled Green looks nice adds weight and warmth. You can sew it on with big stiches and waxed string or use an awl and nylon string. Linolium rugs or other in expensive floor coverings come in many lengths and are water proof and can be used also. (I have patched barn roofs that way. Just nailed them on with roofing nails). If you choose a wild pattern you may be building a very hippy shelter. Cattle panel shelters make great play houses in the woods or for camping and for fun. Sort of like a covered wagon with out the wagon.

-- Annette Snow (horselady1948@yahoo.com), March 25, 2003.