Fabricating our first goat shed...Completed!!

This has been a long over due posting and often requested. It is good to see the growing interest in goat rearing as a commercial pursuit. There is high level of optimism in goat rearing and probably right so. I do have a word of caution to the eager-beavers though. The economics of goat rearing are attractive but the big assumption most people make is on the sale price. Please research your local animal markets and sales channels for prevailing prices to confirm your project's economic feasibility. Exaggerated sales prices will escape most folks like us (smaller goat operations). At smaller scale of operations, most will not have the leverage to exploit retail rates and channels for lack of significant volumes. Larger abattoirs often show reluctance to work with small operations as well. With that said, there is still profit margins to be had if you are willing to reset expectations to a lower rate.

My recent travels had prevented this posting for a while and without further ado, here is a peek into our goat shed construction. Hope you enjoy it.

A 80ft x 25 ft shed was constructed to accommodate 100 goats + 180 kids. Columns being erected at a distance of 10 ft.

Truss and columns are ready for the roof to be fixed

Sivaganga gets pretty hot during summers. In order to combat the temperature, Galvalum sheets were fixed . They are a little expensive but worth the investment. This type of roofing sheet is more effective than asbestos or tin sheets in lowering ambient shade temperatures.

Shed vertical are being erected.

 

 

10ft x 10ft cubicles were made by putting chain link fence between the cells. Eucalyptus timber was used for floor reapers.  In hindsight, ensure your reapers are wide and sturdy. Inspect daily for cracks or damage since animal (young) hoofs can get stuck in gaps.

 

All set, ready to use! Soon after construction, the shed was put to use by our first herd of sheep. More on the sheep experiences later. 

We came across some hi-tech (and expensive) designs during our research but decided to scale down the complexity for our first project. It would be good to hear from readers who decided to employ interlocking rubber floors or decided on in-ground hollow brick structures. This structure, as it stands will house our first two herds. You may have also noticed that while the structure is self containing, we have also secured the perimeter of the premises. This allows us to periodically release the animals into the 'yard' while keeping them contained. More to come later on our initial experiences with sheep, until then keep grazing.. :)