Pole barn

[sophiemae]

Well, we finally found a really nice piece of property in FL. It has a pole barn on the property. What can I do with a pole barn ? It has no sides to keep predators out and certainly not suitable for chickens. It seems a waste to have a nice sturdy barn with no sides or door ? Can anyone help me with cheap ideas so I can put my goats in a safe place at night and maybe a couple of ducks. Right now it is just a roof with no sides ...How strange. I don't think I have ever seen this in KY.

 

[greybeard]

Was probably used for hay storage by previous owner. There is nothing at all difficult or expensive to adding sides or door to a pole barn.
But, is this a true pole barn--or just a shed?

 

[sophiemae]

It is a true pole barn. It states that in the description of the property. I was raised in the country and know it is not a shed LOL I will try to send a pic if I can figure it outl

 

[sophiemae]

I am about to bite a ten penny nail in half.....OMG Computers suck !!!!!!!!!!! I hope you get this greybeard.......

 

[frustratedearthmother]

If you can't afford to add solid sides right now you might consider using cattle panels to enclose the sides and make it varmint proof. The smaller the grid of the panel, the smaller the critter you can keep out.

 

[sophiemae]

Brilliant, then run a hot wire close to the bottom ? Are we on to something ? Thanks

 

[goatgurl]

while cattle panels will work in the short run they don't keep the rain out. i vote to put solid sides on three sides of it and let the goats run in and out. use the cattle panels to make a pen

 

[sophiemae]

Now my husband and I are going back and forth wondering how much it will cost to get solid sides and make it a really nice barn? Any ballpark figures out there ? Is there a building forum on here ? Could go to chicken coops

 

[Hens and Roos]

if you put some solid sides on it, you could make some of it into a chicken coop and also have goats

 

[Latestarter]

I vote for 4 x 8 foot T111 siding panels cut in 1/2 to form 4 foot side walls (or run horizontally vice vertically... sideways stripes anyone?) on the sides and back, ($41.97 per panel at lowes for untreated) then some 2 x 4 welded wire fencing above that. Plenty of ventilation as well as light, and it doesn't get THAT cold in FL so the goats and chooks would be just fine and out of the weather.. unless you have one of those sideways blowing T-storms pass through, but even then, it should dry out fast (remembering all that sand...). Across the front could be just plain old no climb fence with a gate to let the critters in and out.

Whatever you do, you gotta admit, it's at least a good start... and from the appearance of the light, there's power out to it already as well.