Hi All,
I would love to have some feedback on these barn plans before we pull the trigger and go ahead and purchase the materials to build. The barn is 24ft wide and 8 ft deep. It is essentially made up of three 8ft by 8ft sections. The center section has a raised floor and will be used for milking. I can fit the stanchion in there, plus a small fridge, sink/counter and overhead cupboard for supplies. It is basic and small but beats milking on the front porch again. This center section is flanked on both sides by 8ft *8ft stalls for the goats. I have 3 does, and may add a forth but no more. I plan to have the does all together in one section, and the other will be a flex space to be used as needed for kidding, an infirmary, extra storage etc. There is a hinged door from each stall in to the center milking parlor, and each stall has a hinged dutch door to the outdoors. The stall will be on dirt and we'll use the deep litter system. Above running the whole length of the structure there is a loft for hay, straw and supplies storage. Any comments or thoughts would be appreciated, I want to make sure I haven't made any glaring oversights! I have attached the front and side elevations and the floor plan. Thanks.
Judy
Replies
I like the idea of linoleum or vinyl for the flooring, as it would be easier to keep clean. Ceramic tile is more slippery, but even kids have learned to walk on that (in my living room).
Thanks Deborah! Yes, one door from each goat pen to the outside. We decided to go for hinged doors, dutch style. And there is an interior door from each pen to the milking room. The floor in the milking room is a wood floor, double board of hemlock and pine. I am concerned about keeping it clean. Does anyone ever put linoleum down? I was thinking that would be easy to mop as needed? Or would the goats not be too happy walking on that?
Looks good to me! I wasn't clear on whether or not you had doors from the goat pens directly to the outside, but I'd definitely want to have that.