Wehner Homestead
Herd Master
I started to put this on the kidding thread but decided it fit better as a separate discussion here. Plans are in the works for a proper goat area with a covered loafing area with hay feeders and sleeping shelves, “dry lot” with toys and fresh water access connected to rotational paddocks accessed separately by gates from the dry lot. The loafing area will be a lean to that is perpendicular to our existing barn and will be connected by an aisle the width of one of the current livestock gates. Permanent kidding stalls will be built with tongue-n-groove board walls and sliding stall doors that latch. We’ve considered some type of Dutch door also. If you walk in our barn from the front (looking to the east), the tack/feed/milking room is on the left. The next gap on the left will be the aisle to the goat area. If you turn into that aisle, the tack room would be on the left and the kidding stalls will be on the right. A containment stall will be built in the loafing area to contain babies being separated overnight. We are currently researching what we should plant/broadcast since goats prefer browse. I have a few areas that they can clean up for us but those won’t be fenced properly for some time so we shall see.
Plans for a buck area include a small pen for “introduction”instead of just throwing him in after quarantine/ hospital pen. This would also work for breeding...They will be away from the main barn to avoid sharing a fenceline or tempting jumpers. We haven’t decided on an ideal area but they will have more of a loading shed/run-in. King is currently alone but can see the girls. He will be getting a buddy buck soon and Jackson will be joining once he’s bigger. I’d like to have the buck area divided into two main areas so that I can separate them if need be and the have the small area too.
The quarantine pen looks like it’s going in my front yard (can’t be seen from the road.) Less to mow anyway! We have one now but don’t want it to be in the main barn like it is now.
There are two “dog pens” directly across the aisle from the tack room and they are each about 8 feet wide and 10 feet deep. We plan to use one for contained weaning and then move them to another pen that will allow browsing and normal goat behavior without being in the main herd until completely weaned.
We have lots of fencing to do. When that’s done, the rest of the barn will be getting overhauled to have two full-size horse stalls, a Calving stall, update corral system, an alley and paddock plan change behind the barn, dividing up the existing lean-to for show cattle pens with all the accessories with paddocks, a hallway that goes to a wash rack and clipping area, an add-on lean-to for creep feeding and weaning. When the water line is adapted for the wash rack, I’m supposed to get an on-demand water heater for my milk room, along with a sink and counter system and a stovetop to do my milk processing in the milk room.
We are also planning a covered round bale feeding area for the brood cows that allows bales to be fed without entering the pasture and creating the muddy mess that we currently do. The horses will also get a covered round bale feeder that is closed on two sides and open on the other two (south and east).
Finally, a lean-to will be built on the shop that will allow for the pigs to be kept on concrete with a dirt pen off of that with nipple waterers on a water line (for appropriate weather only) and a small kennel set-up enclosed on one end for our dogs to be penned when needed with inside/outside access for each pen. It will also have a tub for bathing and grooming more easily.
If DH gets bored after we do all that, I want a lean-to on the other end of the shop that is more of a shelter house with an open fireplace, porch swings, picnic tables, Basketball goal, corn hole set-up for bbqs and get-togethers.
Now that I’ve thrown all our plans at you, what are your do’s and don’t’s. What is your favorite thing about your set-up and your least favorite? We want to do it right the first time. Also, browse recommendations for goats as the area where their paddocks will go isn’t overgrown. In fact, I’m going to have to plant protected trees to grow for shade and construct something in the paddocks to give them a break from the rays though I bet they prefer the loafing area with fans...
Plans for a buck area include a small pen for “introduction”instead of just throwing him in after quarantine/ hospital pen. This would also work for breeding...They will be away from the main barn to avoid sharing a fenceline or tempting jumpers. We haven’t decided on an ideal area but they will have more of a loading shed/run-in. King is currently alone but can see the girls. He will be getting a buddy buck soon and Jackson will be joining once he’s bigger. I’d like to have the buck area divided into two main areas so that I can separate them if need be and the have the small area too.
The quarantine pen looks like it’s going in my front yard (can’t be seen from the road.) Less to mow anyway! We have one now but don’t want it to be in the main barn like it is now.
There are two “dog pens” directly across the aisle from the tack room and they are each about 8 feet wide and 10 feet deep. We plan to use one for contained weaning and then move them to another pen that will allow browsing and normal goat behavior without being in the main herd until completely weaned.
We have lots of fencing to do. When that’s done, the rest of the barn will be getting overhauled to have two full-size horse stalls, a Calving stall, update corral system, an alley and paddock plan change behind the barn, dividing up the existing lean-to for show cattle pens with all the accessories with paddocks, a hallway that goes to a wash rack and clipping area, an add-on lean-to for creep feeding and weaning. When the water line is adapted for the wash rack, I’m supposed to get an on-demand water heater for my milk room, along with a sink and counter system and a stovetop to do my milk processing in the milk room.
We are also planning a covered round bale feeding area for the brood cows that allows bales to be fed without entering the pasture and creating the muddy mess that we currently do. The horses will also get a covered round bale feeder that is closed on two sides and open on the other two (south and east).
Finally, a lean-to will be built on the shop that will allow for the pigs to be kept on concrete with a dirt pen off of that with nipple waterers on a water line (for appropriate weather only) and a small kennel set-up enclosed on one end for our dogs to be penned when needed with inside/outside access for each pen. It will also have a tub for bathing and grooming more easily.
If DH gets bored after we do all that, I want a lean-to on the other end of the shop that is more of a shelter house with an open fireplace, porch swings, picnic tables, Basketball goal, corn hole set-up for bbqs and get-togethers.
Now that I’ve thrown all our plans at you, what are your do’s and don’t’s. What is your favorite thing about your set-up and your least favorite? We want to do it right the first time. Also, browse recommendations for goats as the area where their paddocks will go isn’t overgrown. In fact, I’m going to have to plant protected trees to grow for shade and construct something in the paddocks to give them a break from the rays though I bet they prefer the loafing area with fans...