Hello From TN-goat mom :)

[Pastor Dave]

Lots of options. Convert a mini barn kit. I wouldn't use a wood floor. Make a carport kit into a barn. Lots of folks on here have shared barn building pics.

 

[Kimberly83]

Lots of options. Convert a mini barn kit. I wouldn't use a wood floor. Make a carport kit into a barn. Lots of folks on here have shared barn building pics.

We were considering the carport idea. just wondered how that worked out for others.

 

[babsbag]

Metal legs on carports did not last long with my goats. They rub on them and soon they fall apart. I bought 4x4 posts and cemented them the ground, one on each corner. For a 10x10 three sided shelter I would run 2x6s between two parallel sides and then 2x4's to span the 10' and got the metal roofing from Lowes. I don't walk on my roof, and I don't get much snow (a few inches now and then) so in 10' I only put 3 rafters. Use plywood or exterior press board for sides. All of that is gone now otherwise I would take a picture. I now have 40+ goats and a BIG BIG barn (30x40).

 

[Pastor Dave]

@babsbag, I can't figure out how to search old threads and posts on here to tell Kim abt the carport barns that have been discussed on here. What you described abt the metal legs on your conversion carport sounded pretty smart. Your plan should work pretty well.

 

[babsbag]

I have a horrible time finding threads as well. If I took a carport and actually closed it all in with siding then it would probably be ok. But I tried one that just had a roof, it was just a loafing shed, and it made it about a year before they started to tear it apart. Also, because we don't have level ground it is easier to build my own from scratch and just make the corners plumb and don't worry about the rest. I always do a sloped roof so the rain runs the way I want it to run.

I have also used these to hold my 4x4 corners.

 

[Latestarter]

https://www.backyardherds.com/threadloom/search

Just input search terms... like Carport or barn or both.

 

[Kimberly83]

Thanks Y'all! I think we are going to go with a carport for now and enclose it on our own. Its going to make it cheaper. We dont want to spent too much at the moment. We hope to move within the next year or so and want something that can be taken with us. Also...we are hoping to find a house with a barn included.

 

[Southern by choice]

This is one of my dream barns. I would just add to it... double the length of the barn part and with the building part (well actually barn and building) make the roof much taller so it could be a real two story. I would also add a shed roof extension over the stall doors.

 

[Pastor Dave]

Nice concepts and something good to dream about.

My mom always marvelled at big homes being built with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, walk in closets, and extra rooms for dining or lounging. She would say that someone has to still clean all that! Haha.

I never forgot when going for bigger and more, that there's more for my wife to keep up and clean.

 

[Southern by choice]

@Pastor Dave that is what I always say- but a good barn is different... especially when you can minimize workload, keep things clean, have enough areas for breeding does, kidding pens, kid pens, treatment areas, milk room because having dairy goats means you milk- 2x day... it needs to be i a clean place. The building would be awesome for processing the milk and doing the cheesemaking- great place for classes too.

We do a lot of teaching classes - right now we have an apt for that but of course the apt is filled with furniture and everything else.

We have so many buildings, so many fields, so many areas... it is what we have so we work with it but it also eats up your time- 5 fields to hay, feed, water, 5 buildings to clean, muck etc... we've been doing this for awhile and because we do so many farm visits/consults- those that have good solid structure barns with space are always easier to manage.

Getting older means I have to use my time and energy wisely. Some things you only learn by experience.... this is one we learned by sweat and tears.