Cheapest Way to Build Small Barn

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Has anyone out there put together an inexpensive barn? I need one to house several goats, a flock of laying hens and misc. feed and supplies. How have you done it? Anyone used pallets or other things I have not thought about?? Appreciate your help--

-- Lynn Royal (CAVEWOMAN48@hotmail.com), February 02, 2000

Answers

We live in an area where the prime concern is keeping out the rain and sun, not warmth, so I don't know if this would be secure enough for you or not: Telephone poles (free) Oak pallets (free, but LOTS of work to take apart) Reclaimed lumber from a fallen down house (cheap, also LOTS of work) Reclaimed tin roofing... that wasn't the best idea we've ever had- was in bad shape, had to be patched, painted, etc. Ended up replacing it with new.

I'm not pretending to be an expert on this subject, but the telephone poles worked great- we're in Hurricane Alley- and our sheds never blew away! I've heard of using the pallets as they are, but have never seen it done.

-- Sylvia (slydy@intrstar.net), February 02, 2000.


We built a great goat barn out of lodge pole trees (limbs and bark off)and sinking them two feet into the ground. Into the hole with the pole we poured some gravel (rock we got from the local gravel pit for free) and filled that hole up half way to steady and straighten the pole. Mike, my hubby used a plumb bob to make sure the pole was straight. Then we put dirt into it. Tamped it down.

Now we were ready for the pallets which we got for free from places around town. Hammered them into place onto the poles. Start at one end or the other of the building. put a 2x4 inbetween the pallets and hammer them to the 2x4s. Of course this depends on the size of your building. Our goat barn is 8 foot high, and 8 foot on each side which gives us the space for two 4x4 pallets...you get the idea,right?

After the pallets are up, we covered the outside of them with tarp..(free log wrap from a local lumber company...you can get them free also from places like Homebase, etc..)Stapled the tarp on.

OOPS...forgot the roof. When we built the poles and since we live in north Idaho, we made a pitch to the poles so the snow and rain would run off one end. so, one side is 8 foot high and the one side is 6.5 foot high. This makes Mike nuts, but when its done, it makes a great roof! Tarp this up too. Then add plywood on top. If you have the $$, put roofing material on....if you don't...add more tarp for water run off. If you staple alot, you should have a solid fit.

Leave a space for a doorway. Use a pallet with hinges attached for a gate.

Add a light inside to keep them warm when it's cold out side. Lots of hay. A few bales for them to climb on, a water dish and you are done!

If you have any questions, let me know. We let our goats free reign so they can come and go at will. During inclement weather, they stay inside anyway. Their choice. During the day, they rummage around, visit the cow, follow me and play. The cold doesn't seem to bother them, but we have tried to shield them from drafts (the log wrap is really good for this). Hope this helps. Idaho Cher

-- Cher Rovang (fullcircle@nidlink.com), February 02, 2000.


I know someone who built a barn for their milk cow out of straw bales. They live in Illinois so this provided the insulation they needed. If you are interested in this let me know, and I'll get you some details.

kathy

-- Kathy Hardin (DavidWH6@juno.com), February 05, 2000.


Lynn:

I built two TEMPORARY shelters (but they are still holding up!) with free pallets, 16d and 8d nails, some scrap plywood pieces, misc. 2 x 4's, plastic tarps and baling string. They aren't as ugly as they sound, but I doubt Martha Stewart would feature them on her place (ahem).

I first lined up two pallets at 90 degree angles and braced the corners by nailing plywood scraps across the seams and onto the pallets. I cross braced them on the top. I made two of these units and faced them across from each other with the corners diagonal from each other. I left a few feet in between each section (depending on length of 2 x 4's I was going to use).

Then I nailed 2 x 4's over the top, with one end shimmed up slightly higher to permit some rain to run off the (eventual) roof. Then I put more lumber cross wise over the 2 x 4's make some ribbing to support the tarp (roof).

I then positioned the tarp over the top and sides with the prevailing wind (you could use more than one tarp, too) and used scrap plywood layered over the edges, and nails, to secure it. In a couple of places I used baling twine because it worked better.

I left a big opening on one side, filled the "floor" with straw bedding, and had a temporary shelter.

Something like this could easily be adapted for poultry. Or temporary shelter for bigger critters while you build something for the long run.

I used regular hand tools: hammer, non-electric saw, steel tape measure. I don't consider myself particularly handy with building stuff, but I figured if I could sew, spin, knit and other crafts... this was just a bigger version of constructing something.

When the weather gets better I will de-construct them.

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), February 05, 2000.


When you say inexpensive are you talking permenant inexpensive or temporary inexpensive? The postings to date appear to be temporary. From the permenant standpoint a polebarn type structure would be the most inexpensive way to go. Depending on the size of your building, sink poles in the ground, where I live 4 feet due to frost. Sink the poles around the perimeter, frame up the roof and get your roofing on. That's the most important and most expense. At this point if your short on cash you can protect the walls in many different ways, some of them already mentioned, pallets & tarps, hay bales you name it. Then as able install wall purlins and either roughcut lumber or corrugated metal and you'll have an inexpensive barn that will withstand and outlast most anything or anyone. Good Luck!!

-- Peter FitzGerald (pdfitz@mkl.com), February 05, 2000.


When I first started raising sheep, sturdy equipment, like feeders, fences and sheds were expensive to buy and make. My sister and I started contacting the glass companies in our area. Plate glass and window glass is shipped in crates made of 2x6'x6' and 8' and 1x6'x6' and 8' lumber. The owners were glad to get of it because the cost of dumping them was so high. They do take a bit of time to dismantle but we always had a good supply to pick from. Every few weeks, when we had a little extra time we made the rounds. We could hold 6 to 8 crates in our truck and store them until needed. I haven't done this for several years so I don't know if they've found another way to dispose of them. Also, if there is construction going on in your area sometimes they let you pick through the junk pile. Sometimes you can find decent sized plywood. With all the natural disasters lately wood has gotten out of sight so anything is worth a shot. Good lu

-- jennifer (schwabauer@aol.com), February 05, 2000.

I found myself in need of a barn when my son showed up with two goats.The price of building one from scratch was a bit much for a couple of goats.I looked around and found a 12x20 garage that someone wanted moved, we loaded it up on a hay wagon and hauled it the ten miles to our land. It needed to be straighted a bit after the trip but was none the worst for wear. After putting a new tin roof and a door as well as a small hay loft we have a nice barn for the goats and a calf.I did a bit of looking around for materials and have about $250 in the whole project.Since we moved I have run across several small buildings people want torn down or moved for free so keep your eyes and ears open and you never know what you may find.

-- Kurt Kramer (ktkramer@netpluscom.com), February 06, 2000.

You have provided less info than is necessary. Much like one of the kids asked "What's a good car, and how much should it cost?" Give me an idea of the size and use, as well as whether you plan to provide electricity and/or water and I might be able to help. Also, do you want a concrete, dirt, or wooden floor? Warm (heated) areas? Goats and chickens do well in unheated areas, even here in Maine. Where are you? Do you plan for baby goats or chicks? Eggs and/ or meat birds? Yes, I have barn plans, most of them my own. I designed and built a 20'x32' barn with a 10'x32' "shed". The shed is heated and has water. There are also a lot of designs for "cold" barns. Tell me what you want! Good Luck! Brad

-- Brad (homefixer@mix-net.net), February 06, 2000.

My husband and I put up a 12'by 24' pole barn for under $400. We got our lumber from a manufacturing company (BIG used crates). We got our metal siding from a local manufacturer at a discount, by accepting an unclaimed order. the windows came from friends who had replaced the ones in their house. The wiring was done from leftovers thrown away on a building site, and is well beyond code. The lights were scavenged from an old greenhouse operation. All in all, we are housing 10 goats and a Jersey, in a building sturdy enough to outlast us. True, it wasn't free, but we won't have to worry about it next year, either.

-- Connie Christoffer (litlgaea@cs.com), February 07, 2000.

I am in the market for a good sturdy CHEAP barn to be built next year. I want, sheep and chickens, rabbits, possibly a cow and pig later on. I would like to build a barn big enough and up to code for as little as possible. I can get some poles from my woods so maybe pole barn is best for me? Help please?

-- Alison in NS (aproteau@istar.ca), October 02, 2000.


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