The Shed I Wish I’d Built First

Currently Happening on the Farm
I feel like I say this every week, but it is getting cooler, and we are here for it after 100 degree days all summer. It is a much needed break from the heat. We are in a drought right now, which is crazy to think about after all the rain we got earlier this year. It looks like we may get a few chances for rain later this week.

I want to let y’all in on some plans I am working on. I am looking into getting pigs. I am learning all I can right now. We have some forested areas on the property that I want to clear, so I am looking at Red Wattle pigs as an option. There will definitely be a series about this down the road. I will share what I learn, what I wish I did differently, and even whether I think pigs were the right move once I get into it.

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The Shed I Wish I’d Built First

When I started with goats, I figured they just needed a roof and a wall. I threw something together that looked fine. The goats hated it. If a shed is damp, cramped, drafty, or catches the wind wrong, they will sleep outside and glare at you in the morning.

Here is what actually works.

Size and layout

• Plan on 10 to 15 square feet per goat inside. More if your climate is wet.

• Keep a clear central space so you can walk in with a bale or a bucket without getting pinned.

• Put hay and minerals on the dry side, away from the prevailing wind.

Floor and drainage

• Dry wins. Start with a base of packed gravel or road base.

• Add a couple inches of sand or pallets under bedding to keep things from turning to mud.

• Crown the site or set the shed on a slight rise so water runs away, not in.

Walls and roof

• Solid walls on the windward side, open or half walls on the leeward side for airflow.

• Leave a vent gap under the eaves. Stale air makes sick goats.

• Build tall enough that you can stand inside. If the roof is low, the goats will be on it by lunch.

Doors and traffic flow

• One wide entry is fine for small groups. For bigger groups, two openings prevent bossy goats from blocking the timid ones.

• Add a small covered porch or 18 to 24 inch overhang. That keeps rain out of the doorway and gives a dry zone for feeding.

Interior details that save headaches

• Mount a mineral feeder at head height and keep salt separate from minerals.

• Use corner hay nets or a feeder that keeps hay off the ground to cut waste.

• Hang a hook inside for a lead and a collar so you are not chasing gear in the dark.

Bonus tip
Do not put the shed right against the fence. Goats will climb the wall, launch, and be in your neighbour’s garden before coffee is done. Leave a few feet of buffer.

Fun Fact
Goats hate rain more than wind. A dry, draft free corner is worth more to a goat than a heated barn.

Closing Thoughts
A good goat shed does not have to be fancy. It has to be dry, tall, and well ventilated, with a floor that drains and a door that goats cannot turn into a puzzle. Build it once the right way and you will not be rebuilding it after every storm.

Next week we will talk feed and minerals for goats, what actually matters, and the one supplement most people forget until there is a problem.

Why I Write This Newsletter
I started Start My Homestead because I wanted to share what real farming and homesteading look like, the wins, the mistakes, and everything in between. I’m 20 years old, and my goal is to inspire more people my age and even those older than me to start homesteading. It connects us to our roots, builds real skills, and reminds us where our food comes from. My hope is that these newsletters show how possible it is to build something meaningful right where you are.

-Tim Parker
Start My Homestead