Bespoke Timber Goat Houses And Shelters

Whilst goats may seem like hardy animals, they are actually intolerant to wet conditions. They need access to housing at all times, whatever the season. It is important to provide a goat house to keep them warm at night or in harsh weather, whether they have free access to it from their browsing area or not.

At National Timber Buildings, we provide bespoke timber houses for goats designed to meet your exact specifications. Our versatile goat house designs are crafted using our 40+ years of industry experience, an in-depth construction process and premium quality materials to ensure durability. Our ‘Made in Britain’ accredited timber buildings are a safe refuge for your goats from pernicious elements and an abode of warmth and security at night. In this blog, you will get to know all the information related to timber goat houses and shelters, like;

What kind of shelter do goats need?

What is the best housing facility for goats?

How much space does a goat need?

Read on to discover how our bespoke timber goat houses can be the perfect solution for your goats!

Basic Requirements For A Goat House

As per the British Goat Society, the houses for goats need to meet specific requirements for the overall betterment of the goats. These points are mentioned as follows:

Goats love dry places. Therefore, the goat shelter should be devoid of humidity and moisture. Also, the headroom of the shelter should be high enough to allow the goats to stand on their hind legs with outstretched necks and for their caretakers to move around comfortably.
The average size of each pen, if made exclusively, should be 4 square metres. The height of each pen depends on the breed. Also, each pen needs to have a proper bucket holder with bucket, feed, and hayracks.
In scenarios where the goats are made to stay together in groups, a minimum of 2 square metres of area should be available for each.
Ensure that the horned and hornless goats are made to stay in exclusive goat barns.
The paddock area should be spacious enough to allow the goats to exercise and roam about without the space getting overcrowded.
We recommend having a low bench for kid goats to jump on/off or lie underneath or on top.
Goats are social animals and, therefore, like to have other goats around them. The height of their pen should not be high enough to pose an obstacle in their mutual communication.
The area crafted for feeding should either be out in nature, or a dry concrete-made fenced area should be constructed within the shed for them to enjoy their meals.
Provisions should be made in context to infrastructure for clean and fresh water supply, as well as a dry area for storing hay, straw, and other feed for goats.
The goats’ milk-rearing space should be extremely hygienic.
Ensure a round-the-clock electricity supply to avoid any darkness during nighttime.
For a herd of goats, a facility for automatically piped water should be made in the shed. Understanding the number of goats that are to stay there, provisions should be made to avoid overcrowding and ensure that every goat is able to have proper and comfortable access to feed and water.
Hayracks should be placed at goat head height. This prevents them from getting soiled. Place a lid on the hayrack to prevent baby goats from jumping into them.

Types Of Goat Houses

With so many design options to choose from, our focus is understanding your bespoke needs and requirements and providing you detailed knowledge of our revolutionary timber goat shelter capabilities. We keep in mind the behavioural aspects of the goat and their basic requirements, as well as their (and your) specific needs and wishes, to design a tailor-made goat house made of tanalised timber.

As a renowned timber shed manufacturer, our goat shelter design ideas are safe, stylish, and functional. We make use of pressure-treated materials to ensure safety and longevity. All our sheds are not only durable but aesthetically appealing, too.

For your goats, we have two broad classifications of timber goat houses.

Mobile goat shelters
Fixed goat shelters

Images: 10’x18’ mobile field shelter with an Onduline roof for a customer in Oxfordshire. It features a half height dividing wall, steel gate and stable door.

Mobile Goat Shelters

We make use of tanalised timber and heavy-duty galvanised steel skis to make mobile goat shelters. These portable goat shelters are an ideal choice for those looking for portability and for those who have concerns related to planning permissions. Our bespoke mobile goat shelter designs and plans keep all your specifications in mind. These mobile shelters can easily be moved between fields.

For the roofing of mobile goat shelters:

Suitable drainage for rainwater is provided in the form of a front or rear guttering, as per your request.
Minimal maintenance and durable Onduline Roofing can be provided.
Optional roof lining is also provided if desired at your end. This betters the durability of the roof. It also ensures proper insulation to the shed, which keeps the shed warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
Apart from this, there are many more roof material options available, and they can be used as per your choice.

Benefits of having mobile field shelters for goats:

Goats are provided with personalised sheds to protect them from natural factors like snow and strong wind. Therefore, we make use of steel joist hangers and timber wood to ensure proper stability and longevity.
To ensure proper shed ventilation, we make use of galvanised, barred, stable windows with sliding Perspex covers when required.
For better insulation and longevity, we make use of Onduline roofing.
We only make use of high-quality galvanised steel skis. They do not rust and last for approximately 30-40 years.
These mobile timber buildings are easy to relocate using a tractor or 4×4. You will have complete confidence in moving these sheds because of their robust construction.
The movable shelters designed at National Timber Buildings are made by our in-house CAD designers, so you are involved in the process every step of the way.

Fixed Goat Shelters

Apart from mobile field shelters, we are equally experienced in crafting impeccable, stable shelter designs for your goats. These field shelters have all the essentials and proficiency aspects that were mentioned for our mobile shelters. Just a few points of difference are that:

Unlike the fixed-at-place field shelters, the mobile shelters have metal skies as their base to ensure movability and repositioning.
Field shelters can be expanded in size and requisites as and when the situation demands, unlike the mobile shelters.
Mobile shelters are often more cost-effective compared to fixed shelters, which may involve the cost of groundwork, concrete foundations, and planning permission.

Goat Shelter Case Study: Rare Breeds Centre, Kent

Client: The Rare Breeds Centre, Kent
Project: Two Mobile Goat Stables for Pygmy Goat Paddocks

National Timber Buildings recently collaborated with The Rare Breeds Centre in Kent to provide two 12’x24’ mobile stables for their Pygmy Goat paddocks. The project aimed to create comfortable and accessible shelters for the goats, while also enhancing visitor engagement with the animals.

The new stables, each equipped with rear top doors, offer a warm, cosy environment for the goats. Additionally, a new pathway was constructed between the paddocks, allowing visitors to get up close and interact with the friendly Pygmy Goats. The innovative path design even allows guests to peer inside the goats’ new homes, creating a unique experience for the centre’s many visitors.

The Rare Breeds Centre team was delighted with the mobile stables, noting how well they fit into the paddocks and how much the goats enjoy the extra attention from visitors. National Timber Buildings is proud to have contributed to the comfort of the goats and the overall visitor experience at this beloved Kent attraction.

For more information on our custom-built animal shelters, contact National Timber Buildings today!

Tips To Ensure Safety, Comfort, And Sanitation In Sheds

Proper ventilation is necessary for any goat shed to avoid the goats getting infected due to poor air quality. The buildup of their urine and waste leads to ammonia buildup in the shed, which is not at all healthy.
Proper lighting should be inside the shed.
Provisions should also be made for proper disposal of soiled beddings.
No sharp object or projection on walls is acceptable. They can hurt the goats at any time.
Regular checks of the shed to inspect for any cracks or holes in the structure.
Disinfect the space with professionals’ help whenever needed.
The goat feed and drinking water should be cleaned and checked.
The goat houses should be properly insulated so that the goats do not feel cold in winter.
Proper activity or play zone areas and amenities should be available within the shed to ensure the goats do not suffer from obesity or muscle stiffness.

The Need For Having Exclusive Timber Goat Houses And Sheds

Having an exclusive goat shelter gives you a better opportunity to feed your goats, take care of their health and hygiene, and better connect with them.

Social

Goats, being social animals, love to live amongst other goats in herds. It gives them a sense of belongingness and safety from predators. For these reasons, goats should be provided with an exclusive shed. This will also avoid overcrowding, unlike a common domestic shed, which has other cows, pigs, horses, or other animals. In fact, every animal has its own personality traits and hence should be provided with exclusive shelters.

Housing

With our experience, we have seen how much the goats love to dwell in our timber sheds. Enough space is provided for them to stand on their hind legs. There is not much overcrowding because of the lack of sufficient floor space. These sheds are uniformly ventilated and insulated and there are no adverse effects of weather.

Safety

Safety is of prime importance, not only for goats but for other timid animals, too. For example, there have been instances where horned goats have harmed sheep and, in another case, where dogs have behaved ferociously with goats. So, two different animals with distinguished personalities do need exclusive settings day and night.

Seasonal Considerations In The Goat Shed Designs

Summer: Ensure there is no overheating in the shed and proper ventilation with a regular supply of water.
Winter: Goat shelters in winters should be kept warm by placing straws around them.
Rainy: No leaks are acceptable. Regular checks of the property need to be done so that there is no moisture within the shed, even during rainy days.

Now that you have all the needed information for why you should have a special bespoke timber goat house for your four-legged friends, you know whom to reach out to for professional and experienced results. National Timber Buildings is ready to assist you with custom ideas and tips to provide the best and most durable solutions for your animals. You just need to call them on 01233 740944 or send an email to info@nationalstables.co.uk. Our expertise in timber sheds and buildings with our Made in Britain accreditation is proof of our flawless product and service.