As promised, here are some pictures of the pallet barn. Remember that I said it's not the prettiest thing you ever laid your eyes on. As of now I have $3.18 invested in this project, that's for nails. I reused a lot of the nails that I pulled out of some of the other lumber but still had to have some new ones to get this far. As of now I am using a weather proof tarp for the roof, not gonna add this to the cost because it is temporary (hehe!!). I will no doubt have to buy some tin for the roof in the future but this will do fine for now. I had the old door, just had to cut it off a little. It really won't look too bad after a coat of paint, probably a sorta light green (we use this color for other small projects and we have given it the name 'ugly green')
Plan on adding to the barn in the very near future so I used the few pallets that I had left to extend the back wall a little. Later, I will put the wall on the right and wall in the front with the roof. Once I get this part done, I will build another one just like it in front of it spacing it out about 10 ft. The 2 structures will then be facing each other. Then I will set posts and join the two with a roof that will be higher than the two. I plan to floor this section, in the middle, and be able to store hay up there.
Feeding tray thingy, I just used a top to an old gas grill. Turn it upside down and nail to the wall. If I put it up any higher they seem to want to jump up in it and lay there, so I keep it at ground level.
Water bucket placed in old tires. The tires are packed with old hay on the sides and bottom to keep the water from freezing and it keeps the goats from turning it over too.
Daisy's T & A pictures. LOL As you can see she's getting a pretty nice milk sack.
The ducks always come running to see if there is any feed that may have spilled on the ground. I always try to spill some for them. hehe!!
It's 21 degrees this morning as I take these pictures. Pond is froze over pretty good.
OK, now stop laughing at my pityful little barn project and enjoy the rest of your day.
Plan on adding to the barn in the very near future so I used the few pallets that I had left to extend the back wall a little. Later, I will put the wall on the right and wall in the front with the roof. Once I get this part done, I will build another one just like it in front of it spacing it out about 10 ft. The 2 structures will then be facing each other. Then I will set posts and join the two with a roof that will be higher than the two. I plan to floor this section, in the middle, and be able to store hay up there.Feeding tray thingy, I just used a top to an old gas grill. Turn it upside down and nail to the wall. If I put it up any higher they seem to want to jump up in it and lay there, so I keep it at ground level.Water bucket placed in old tires. The tires are packed with old hay on the sides and bottom to keep the water from freezing and it keeps the goats from turning it over too.Daisy's T & A pictures. LOL As you can see she's getting a pretty nice milk sack.The ducks always come running to see if there is any feed that may have spilled on the ground. I always try to spill some for them. hehe!!
It's 21 degrees this morning as I take these pictures. Pond is froze over pretty good.
OK, now stop laughing at my pityful little barn project and enjoy the rest of your day.
21 comments:
OOHHH boy....let's go ice skating!!!
Your project barn looks really good. I also like your insulated water bucket idea. That's using your noggin'! It's times like these that I wish I were closer to you guys. I work at a place where pallets are plentiful and free, not to mention materials like tarps and heavy duty plastic wrap. I work at a conveyor belt factory and the floor of my chicken coop is a wonderful, non-slip chunk of conveyor belt that was going to be thrown away. Everything but the roof of my coop was made from scrap lumber I got from work.
Good job Chris. I like to see people make good use of scrap material. It makes you feel good to doesn't it?
Seth, come on buddy. I'll let you go first though. lol
Amy, thanks, the water bucket does really well. It will still freeze but it takes much longer. That's great that you can get all that cool stuff from work. It's hard to belive some of the stuff that gets thrown away. I am always on the lookout for stuff that I can use, I love to get stuff for free.
Thanks for the comments
Chris
I LOVE your barn! It looks great, in my opinion. Your pond is beautiful as well.
Ron
Nice use of materials. THis looks like a cozy little barn! I like your ideas for expansion. A nice hayloft sounds perfect...
I like you header photo of the ducks swimming. Did you take that? It's National Geo quality!
Ron, I have been taking notes from you my friend, the 'Pallet Master". The pond is great, it's right outside of the side door of the house about 50 ft. Nice view to go with the morning coffee.
Don, thanks buddy, the barn will be an ongoing project. In time it may be a pretty nice barn, for now it serves the purpose.
Yes I did take that picture of the ducks. It was taken here at the house, the pond is right by the house. National Geo quailty?? Man my head is getting bigger now. Thank you VERY much. Dreaming of a nice Green Barn like yours someday.
Thanks for the comments, I do appreciate them all.
Chris
I think your pallet barn looks fantastic! I have a couple of questions --do you need to heat it in cold weather for the goats, and how do you keep your chickens warm in those kinds of temperatures? I've heard about lightbulbs, but know little else. I talked to someone who used to have chickens in our neighborhood, but have no idea if it would be legal to get some or not at this point, and if I were to get any, I would need to know how to take care of them, of course. I'm really impressed with both the barn and the water bucket idea. Sorry about the long comment--it seems like the more I learn, the more questions I have... :)
Marie, please never hesitate to ask a question. I am very happy to answer any that I can and sometimes the questions that I get make me ask myself even more. That way we all win. Thanks for the comment on the barn, it's a work in progress. No need to heat it for the goats, they are a very hardy animal. Many mornings I go out to check on them and they will be lying on the ground with frost on them, they stayed out all night. Chickens need to be a little warmer but not much. The main thing is to try to make sure there's not much of a draft in the coop. I place clear plastic over the windows during the winter months, that lets the sun still warm the coop and keeps the draft out. Many people do use heat lamps in the winter, the main reason for this is that it keeps the hens laying. Keep them feed and most important keep them fresh water and they will be fine. I have made it a habit to change their water each day no matter what. Adding a little red apple cider viniger to their water helps to keep them healthy also. Our egg count has been next to nothing these past few weeks due to the cold weather. I do not use a heat lamp. If you live in an area with limited space be sure to google 'chicken tractors'. These are nice little chicken coops that can be moved around the yard of left in place. These are really cool if your space is limited. I have plenty of room and I still would like to have one. These chicken tractors can be a nice little diy project for the whole family. Thanks a bunch for your comments and I hope this answers some of your questions. If you have more, I'm here.
Chris
I love that little barn! It's absolutely adorablle! Those goats are cute as can be--especially the little black one with the ducks! The view of the pond is fantastic! What a sight to wake up to. Gen--IL Homesteader
Gen, thanks, the little black goat is a true pygmy, Emily is her name. She is expecting too, not even gonna guess when they are due though. Pygmys can have anywhere from 1 to 5 kidds at a time each weighing about 2 lbs each. I know they will be too cute. I can see the pond from my computer and it sure is a nice sight
Thanks,
Chris
Great barn project!!! The old water bucket in a tire trick is ingenious! Holy crap Chris, you're smart and hot!!! hehehehe
Ummmm, is Daisy in her 18th month of pregnancy or what?!
Keep posting man, you're an inspiration!!!
Does it have room for you to sleep when you get kicked outta the house? It looks great I'd say...just make sure to get the cable tv run down there too!
Cath, thanks, the barn is coming along you could say. Still much to be done. The water bucket works out pretty good. Not an original idea though, seen it online somewhere. Daisy is in like month 277 I think. hehe!! Like I said before I never seen her and Cheif do the "dirty deed" so I just have to guess as to when the kids will be here. As you can see I have been wrong many times. Smart and Hot, what more could anyone ask for? mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....
Warren, I've already got that base covered buddy. Check out some of my past Clubhouse posts. I have been a man with out a country before, now I always have a plan B and sometimes even a C,D,E,F....
Thanks for the comments, always love to get feedback from my readers, keeps me posting.
Chris
Warren took stole my thunder! I was wondering if this was more comfy than the clubhouse?? :)
Just kidding, it looks cold there - that's a great idea to keep the water buckets from getting tipped over.
Looks like you'll be iceskating down to the barn to milk soon...
Throwback, thanks, the water bucket works great. It will still freeze but they atleast can't turn it over. I HOPE to be milking soon. lol Thanks for the comment.
Chris
THIS IS MY STRONG HOLD. THIS IS WHERE I DRAW A LINE IN THE SAND. IT IS HERE AND NOW THAT I MAKE MY STAND.
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I love that. I added you to my blog list. We're new to dairy goats so on a big learning curve.
Yes, Amy at Twelve Acres is one of my favorites. I asked her tonight why she doesn't have dairy goats anymore.
and I love the pallet barn, all recycled items, gorgeous! Our barn is a former dog kennel.
Zoro's Field: My Life in the Appalachian Woods - I see this book on your site, sounds right up mu alley, how did you like it?
We live in the NC Appalachians but near Asheville which is more in the Smokey Mtns, but in the furthest NW corner of NC, Boone, in the Blue Ridge Mtns.
Joanna, thanks a bunch, we are pretty new to goats also. We have had our boers for about 2 years but this is the frist breeding. We bred them to our pygmy buck so they should be pretty little boer pygmy's..lol Zoro's Field was great, I'm reading it again right now. You would love it I'm sure, check your local library they should have it. The pallet barn is a work in progress, I have always wanted a large old barn but this will have to do I guess. I know about where you are, I just north of you in London KY. I'm about 90 miles north of Knoxville TN, so you aren't too far away, same weather most of the time probably. Thanks for adding me to your list. I look forward to reading more over at your place.
Chris
I like the pallet barn, great idea! Your pond is beautiful but geez that looks cold! I am going to add your blog to my blogroll, I have really enjoyed reading it.
PS if you want to see some pictures of Boer/pygmy cross kids I posted some on my blog last month. We don't raise them anymore, sticking with Boers and Nubians, but those Boer/pygmy crosses were hardy and some of the cutest goat kids ever born on our farm. :)
Shiloh Prairie Farm, thanks a bunch. I took a look at your pygm boer cross kids, can't wait till ours get here. As you can see, I added you too. May be coming over to ask guestions now and then.
Chris
Thank you, and that is fine with me if you wanted to link to the Christmas story. Merry Christmas.
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