Goat shelter using an old horse trailer

PainterNoni
by PainterNoni
Hometalk might not be able to help...but I can't find anything on Pinterest. I need more shelter for my goats....I want to fix up an old rusty horse trailer. Any ideas?
  5 answers
  • Treasuredchaos.com Treasuredchaos.com on Feb 20, 2016
    that's a great idea! All your goats need is to be dry and clean/dry bedding. you'll have to feed seperately somewhere or build a raised rack in there somewhere. I would suggest closing at least one side of the openings (windows) that are against the wind/rain. A tarp would work, especially if it were against the fence, as the goats will eat it if they can pull at it. I'd have to see it for specific ideas...but I think you're on to something for sure!
  • Robin Peinsipp Robin Peinsipp on Feb 20, 2016
    I used an old van for a while and it worked great! I just bedded it with straw, hung the water bucket and feeder inside on hooks and wa-la! Even had a doe kid in it 2 years in a row.
  • Bonny McDaniel Bonny McDaniel on Feb 21, 2016
    I think it would work. Metal horse trailers do get hot in the direct sun so I would be careful about shutting them into them in warm weather but it should suffice in cooler and rainy weather. As treasuredchaos mentioned, a tarp or some covering over the windward side which has substantial openings would help in wintertime. Are you planning on putting the trailer on blocks and blocking off the underside? I would be afraid a kid might crawl under the trailer. If the trailer is old and rusty, check the underside to be sure the floor will not give way. Goats weigh a lot less than horses but a few of them might put a strain on an old, rotted floor.
  • Rebecca Ruge Rebecca Ruge on Feb 21, 2016
    Don't know your budget or how many goats you have..... if you have a scrap metal yard in your area, you might find some large culvert pipe. If you could get it cut in half, you'd have 2 dome shaped huts for your goats. Sorry, I have no idea what you have access to. Try a Farm and Garden store as well.
  • Martha Martha on Feb 23, 2016
    I'm sensing that by "fix up," you mean how to make it look good. We have a cute old fashioned horse trailer sitting on the vacant lot next to our house. It's styled like some of the early 60's classic cars and faded to a robin's egg blue. If I were to "fix it up," I'd give it a new coat of paint in the color it is now. I can't think of any flowers the goats wouldn't eat, so maybe some wood or metal yard art flowers would be in order. If your horse trailer isn't already cute, maybe you could decorate it to look like some of the cute retro RVs that are popular on the Internet right now, with a shiny coat of paint, striped awnings, and some sturdy adirondack chairs and a table outside for the goats to climb on.
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    • Bonny McDaniel Bonny McDaniel on Feb 24, 2016
      @PainterNoni You are welcome...sorry I don't recall the name of it. It not only removes the flaky rust but is a rust inhibitor so just ask at Home Depot or Lowe's for that description. Krud Kutter is one brand but it is expensive...I think there is another, cheaper brand.