Goats are pretty hardy little creatures and don’t require anything too fancy in terms of shelter, but they absolutely do need a shelter of some kind. Many people who raise goats choose to DIY their shelters because it’s easier and more affordable than buying pre-made ones. Your DIY shelter can be as elaborate or as simple as you’d like or as your skills allow.
Read on to find our list of the best goat shelters you can put together this weekend.
Depending on what type of materials you already have access to, this DIY might not cost you anything at all. The wood pallets, which make up the bulk of this project, you can find for free by calling local businesses. The sheet metal could easily be found on local garage sale websites for cheap or free as it doesn’t need to be anything fancy. The metal acts as the roof, so all it needs to be able to do is keep the rain out of the shelter. You can easily whip together this project in a couple of hours, so it’s great if you don’t have a lot of extra time to spare.
This shed acts as both a playhouse and a shelter which is great because it eliminates the need to have a separate structure for your goats to play on. The original creator of this project used scrap wood that they had kicking around, so it didn’t cost them much at all to build it. This shelter could be put together very quickly as the frame is made of pallets.
The ramp is great as it gives your goats something to climb on, and any goat keeper can tell you just how much these little critters love to climb. You just need to make sure the roof of your shelter is sturdy enough to hold its weight.
2x4s, PVC pipes, PVC connectors, tarp, PVC cement, deck screws, screws, metal brackets, wheels, bolts and locking nuts, zip ties, measuring tape
Tools:
PVC pipe cutter, electric drill
Difficulty Level:
Moderate
Don’t let the long material list deter you from trying this PVC pipe shelter. While you’ll need more materials and tools than some of the other projects, putting the shelter together is simple and won’t take too long to create. The video provides a very thorough look at how it all comes together. You do need to give yourself at least two days to complete this project, however, as you need to let the PVC cement dry for 24 hours before you can continue with the next step.
This shelter is also on wheels, so it’s simple to move around the farmyard. The original creator also attaches his shelter to his ATV so it’s easier to move longer distances.
This portable goat fort looks a lot similar to the PVC pipe one above; however, the original creator of this design used cattle panels instead of PVC piping to form the arch of the shelter. You will need to be a little handier with power tools to craft this shelter. The creator uses his electric saw to make cuts that only go partway into the 2x4s. He then pounds the wood together to create the frame for the shelter. You will likely need a helping hand for this project, but with two people, it shouldn’t take too long.
This shed is great as it provides a little more coverage for your goats if you happen to live in an area with a lot of predators. It is quite a bit more involved than some of the other projects, but if you love a challenge and have the know-how, this will be a great project for you. This shed isn’t so much a “shed” as it is a goat house, really. The original creator even had a door with a built-in hay box, but you don’t need to include the door in your plans if you don’t find the need for it.
Like some of the previous shelters made with pallets, the pallets lay the groundwork for this goat shelter, too. The creator boosts one side of the shed up by standing it while the other two lie on their sides. This allows the roof to be sloped so it can keep away snow and rain. They also closed in the sides of their shelter with old warped boards that they had lying around. Another pallet in the front of the shed adds an additional layer of protection from the wind.
Wood pallets, t-posts, cattle panels, tarp, nails, bolts, screws, fencing staples, zip ties
Tools:
Hammer, electric drill
Difficulty Level:
Moderate
This inexpensive tarped pallet shelter combines the two most popular DIY goat shelter styles (pallets and arches). It is relatively quick to put together and is completely customizable for your needs. If you don’t have a lot of goats, you can use fewer pallets. Farmyards with a bigger goat population can use more pallets to ensure there’s enough space for all of them. The creator suggests using siding to the shelter if the slats of the pallets are far apart or if you live in an area that experiences a lot of cold weather. You don’t need to buy expensive wood for the siding, even dismantled pallets will work. Stretching the tarp over the cattle panel arch is a two-person job that needs to be done on a day with little to no wind.
This shelter project is not for the faint of heart. You will require a lot of materials and woodworking skills to pull it off, but if you have the skillset, it could be a beautiful addition to your farmyard. These plans are very thorough, with step-by-step instructions as well as a list of cuts you’ll need to make to the wood. We’d recommend having a helping hand or two and clearing out your schedule on a weekend to give yourself enough time and help to put this beautiful shelter together.
Screws, 2x6s, metal siding, composite decking (optional)
Tools:
Electric drill, electric saw
Difficulty Level:
Moderate
The creators used materials that they already had on hand to create this warm shelter, making it a completely free project so long as you also have access to the same types of materials. They used old composite decking for a feed trough that runs the entire length of the shelter. This is a great addition as your goats will then have a spot to eat as they’re protected from the elements. The creator also added a hay feeder with recycled wood, which is another nice addition.
4x4x8s, 2x4x8s, 2x4x10s, plywood, furring strips, 1x4x10, fence pickets, roof panels, trim boards, steel roof ridge, roofing screws, barn door hardware, spray paint (optional)
Tools:
Electric saw, electric drill, hammer
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
This shelter is not only functional but beautiful, as well. It is a little simpler to make than some of the other nice-looking shelters in our guide, but the final product looks professional. It has two access points in case you have separate pens or pastures as well as a separate milking area that’s accessible via sliding barn doors. You will need a helping hand and an extra day or two to put this shelter together, but once all your cuts are made, it comes together pretty quickly.
This is another free (or near-free) goat shelter using recycled materials you might already have around your farm. The creators used free wood pallets that they collected locally. The pallets are stood up and connected to create the frame and 2x4s are used to create the roof. They attached polycarbonate corrugated roof panels to the top of the shed to block UV rays and keep the rain out. The roof is sloped to ensure rain and snow run down and won’t accumulate on the shed.
Bolt cutters, tin snips, hammer, saw, screwdriver, t-post driver, pliers
Difficulty Level:
Moderate
This tarped shelter is put together using cattle panels, t-posts, and 2x4s as the main materials. Though the original instructions call for cattle panels, the creator does recommend using goat panels if you have horned goats. Though the goat panels are pricier, their openings are much smaller, which makes it difficult for your goats to get their heads or horns stuck in.
6x6s, cattle panels, tarp, zip ties, hooks, forstner bits, all thread metal piping, nuts, cattle panel, fencing staples, tow strap
Tools:
Electric drill, miter saw, palm sander, hammer
Difficulty Level:
Moderate
This portable shelter can be pulled by one person with a tow strap or attached to a tractor or ATV for moving it farther distances. It is built on two 6×6 skids attached together with metal piping. They added cattle panels to the 6x6s and then zip-tied a reflective tarp on top for protection from the elements. The added hook ends and a tow strap to allow the shelter to be portable.
This goat shed provides a bit more protection than some of the others on our list as it’s more enclosed. If you live in an area with unpredictable weather or frigid temperatures, this might be a DIY to consider. Its super sturdy construction will stand up to harsh storms, too. This project will require two hands and a few hours to put together, but it’s relatively easy to do and will look great in your farmyard.
Because this DIY Goat Shelter is made of recycled materials and a pre-existing structure, it costs the makers next to nothing to make. This particular building works very well, permitting you already have a structure that you can work with.
Even though the creator specifies that this wood and lumber was already on the property when they purchased it, you can find pallets and other wood scraps for next to nothing. Try your local marketplace and other online options rather than going and buying new ones from places like Home Depot.
This DIY Goat Shelter by Wojo Homestead simply uses old pallets and a few hand tools to create a shelter for your barnyard buddies. If you know somewhere that gives away free pallets or sells them for next to nothing, this could be a relatively inexpensive project for you.
This creator briefly explains the project before you get started. Then the video is comprised of clips throughout the building process so you can follow along. Of all of the DIY goat shelter options, this is one of the easiest to build.
If you have pygmy goats or another smaller goat breed, this low-budget build might be for you! Off Grid Bruce makes this simple goat house out of reclaimed and upcycled materials to save money.
With the help of the kids, this creator makes a suitable shelter for smaller goats that is relatively easy. He doesn’t break down the pallets completely, so he just uses sections, connecting them together.
18. Ultimate DIY Goat House by Cog Hill Family Farm
The Cog Hill Family Farm Ultimate DIY Goat House might be easy for an experienced person to whip up. However, they don’t give you a complete list of the materials or steps, so you must eyeball it. If you’re a pretty handy carpenter yourself, you will probably have no problem.
This DIY is pretty spacious, working for multiple goats. It’s easy to access for you as well. We love open concepts and think your goats will enjoy it, too!
As the creator and the video explain, many of these totes come with some type of chemical inside. To remove any hazardous materials; you will have to thoroughly clean the interior of the tote to remove any and all residue. This particular goat house had lye inside, which she washed with soap and water.
This goat shelter by El Stumpy is very aesthetically pleasing. If you are pretty familiar with woodworking, you can likely whip this up without much of an issue. However, you will want to be well-versed since it is a little more complicated than some.
The creator does a really excellent job walking you through every step of the process. Even though it might look slightly more complicated, it seems achievable in a timely fashion. With a few boards, some wire, and a few tools, you can set this slanted shelter up in no time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Big Should My Goat Shelter Be?
The sizes of your shelter will depend on a few factors.
The biggest consideration will be the size of your herd. You should aim to provide approximately 12 to 25 square feet per goat. A herd of five goats, then, would need a shelter measuring around 60 to 125 square feet.
Next, consider the weather in your area. Goats will spend more time inside their shelters during cold winters than they would in areas with mild weather year-round. If you have a big farmyard or pasture, the goats will also be less likely to spend as much time in their shed and won’t need as much space.
You should also consider the height of your shelter and the size of your goats. Shorter shelters can easily be jumped onto by larger goats which could potentially lead to injury or damage.
Where Can I Find Wood Pallets?
You might have noticed that many of the DIY projects above call for wood pallets as the main material source. They’re actually surprisingly easy to find and are often available for free from local businesses.
While big-box stores like Wal-Mart and Home Depot receive countless shipments full of usable pallets, most of these stores will send the pallets back once they’ve cleared them of their stock. It doesn’t hurt to ask these types of stores, but don’t get your hopes up that they’ll save some pallets for you.
Instead, reach out to your locally owned businesses. Many smaller businesses will throw their empty pallets into the dumpster as they don’t have the budget to hire a hauling company to dispose of them properly.
Some of the best businesses to inquire about pallets are:
Hardware stores
Construction sites
Newspaper companies
Grocery stores
Pet stores
Bars
Flooring stores
Liquor stores
Furniture stores
Final Thoughts
Your goats need protection from the elements and predators, so providing them with a sturdy shelter is a necessity. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel here; a simple shed will do the trick just fine. Your goats won’t know the difference between a $1,200 DIY shed and one you built for free with materials you already have on hand. Of course, if you want your farmyard to look beautiful, you’ll want to spend a little money on top-notch materials and flex your woodworking muscles.
