- 1. Simple Pallet Board Goat Shelter
- 2. Wood Goat Hutch With Metal Siding
- 3. Enclosed Pallet Board Goat Hutch
- 4. Slanted Roof Goat Shed
- 5. DIY Goat Barn With Sliding Doors and Windows
- 6. Pre-Packaged Kits
- 7. Slanted Roof Barn With a Built-In Shed
- 9. Basic Wire And Tarp Goat Shelter
- 10. Multi-Level Goat Playhouse and Shelter
- What Does a Goat Need for Shelter?
- How Much Space Does a Goat Need In a Shelter?
- What Materials Do You Need To Build a Goat Shelter?
- Building a DIY Goat Shelter for Winter
- Final Thoughts: What Type of Goat Shelter Will You Build?
- More Reading on Goats and Goat Shelter
10+ DIY Goat Shelter Plans and Design Ideas
There is really no bad idea when it comes to building a simple goat shelter. As long as your goats’ house has a roof and maybe one wall, they love it.
From personal experience, goats will use anything to get under cover in their pens.
I have a couple of goat shelters built of wood pallets, leftover building materials, t-posts, and corrugated roofing panels that someone was going to toss, and they’ve been a massive hit with the herd.
However, they like dog houses, dog igloos, pole barns, traditional barns, shelters built with pallet boards and cattle panels, and just about anything they can fit inside. You do not need to think about aesthetics.
Anything with a roof and a bit of room can be a perfect home for your herd.
1. Simple Pallet Board Goat Shelter
Skill Level: Advanced
Materials: Lots of 2×4 boards, 3/4 plywood, wood for the door, hinges, and lock, roofing material
Tools: Drill, miter saw, jig saw
I love this plan from HowToSpecialist because it has a small, convenient shed for feed and tool storage beside the goat shelter. Plus, these plans are incredibly easy to follow.
This design takes a bit more wood than the other shelters I’ve recommended, but the result is incredible! It looks like an expensive pre-fabricated barn by the time you’re done, but it’s cheaper than buying a similar shelter.
I recommend this plan for anyone who needs a permanent, sturdy goat home to use year-round.
This goat shelter is solid and insulative enough for winter, has a slanted roof to keep out rain, and has enough vertical clearance for you to fit inside with your herd. Plus, with the storage, what more could you want?
8. Upcycled Playhouse
Goats need plenty of space per goat, room for the entire herd, and protection from the elements in their shelter. Your herd will usually only enter the structure when it’s cold or rainy, so it must be dry and warm with plenty of space for everyone.
Before you plan your construction project, consider that goats tend to stay outside in their pens as much as possible. They love the sun on their faces and the breeze in their beards. They only use their goat shelter to escape the rain, snow, or wind. So, your goat shelter should be, above all, weatherproof.
Goats are herd animals and don’t do well as loners. I like to say they’re like Lays potato chips; you can’t have just one. So, when constructing a shelter in your pen, you must ensure that all your goats can comfortably fit inside.
Goat shelters should also keep your goats warm in the winter and protect them from the wind and rain. So, you must have enough space for them to huddle up and keep each other warm. If you live in an icy climate, insulation can also ensure that your goats stay comfortable all year.
How Much Space Does a Goat Need In a Shelter?
Goats need around 15 feet of indoor space per goat in their shelters. Still, goat shelter sizes depend on the herd’s size or the animals themselves. If you have a small herd of a couple of Nigerian Dwarfs, you won’t need a full-size barn. If you have 20 Nubians, you might need a more extensive area.
I have a 5×5 pallet shelter all eleven of my boys cram into to get out of the weather. That’s not their only shelter, though. That’s just the one they like to squeeze into.
So, even if you have larger shelters, your goats might find that they prefer a smaller one. Therefore, adding variety and plenty of places to stay warm and dry can ensure they’re always comfy.
What Materials Do You Need To Build a Goat Shelter?
Along with the ideas above, goat shelter materials can range from wood pallet boards to cattle panel structures and leftover building materials to metal sheeting.
The materials you need to build a goat shelter include structural ones, such as wood or PVC, and a cover made from roofing, siding, tarps, wood, or anything that can block out rain and wind. Insulation is an optional component, but you should consider using it if you live somewhere where it gets below freezing during the winter.
Pole barns and sheds are perfect for goat pens because they’re usually pre-built with lumber and screws. Sometimes, they even have floors, which can come in handy if you live somewhere that often gets cold or rainy.
However, I encourage you to use any old scraps you have lying around. If you have wood, that’s great! Have some PVC pipes? Zip-tie some tarps to them to make a little rain shelter.
If you have plastic, old dog crates or igloos, old furniture, scrap metal, etc. – use it! It’s easy to make a one-of-a-kind custom goat shelter when you’re upcycling and reusing old materials.
Also, if you’re interested in making your goat shelter look pleasant, never underestimate the power of a coat of paint.
Permanent vs. Temporary Goat Shelters
Building a large goat housing that will last for many years would be wise if you need space to milk and care for baby goats all year round. That way, you won’t need to worry about the structure blowing away in a storm, potentially harming or stressing your young kids.
However, if you frequently move your herd for grazing or want a lightweight design for the warmer weather, you might want a portable goat shelter. If you want some ideas for making these, check out our other article, 19 Portable Goat Shelter Ideas to DIY or Buy [for Small Farms With Big Ideas!
Just remember that goats are like three-year-old children; they can be pretty destructive. Make sure your goat house can stand up to butting male goats and wethers at play.
Still, wood is usually best, but there is no wrong way to do this project. I’ve seen goat shelters made from field fencing and garbage bag siding.
Building a DIY Goat Shelter for Winter
One of the primary purposes of your goat shelter is to keep your goats warm in the winter.
When building a DIY goat shelter for winter, you may need to elevate and cover the floor, add insulation to the walls or roof, and close any gaps in the sides of the structure. The frame should be sturdy enough to hold ice and powder if you live somewhere with heavy snow.
Your plans should differ depending on where you live. If you live at an altitude as I do (6,000+ ft.), you need a sturdy goat shelter that can withstand a snow load.
If you live in wet areas, your goat shelter should keep the floor dry and warm, protecting your goats’ hooves and helping them stay cozy.
Depending on the plans you decide to use, you can screw plywood boards to wood pallets to keep your herd off the ground in your goat pen.
Also, you should consider adding insulation to your goat shelter if your winters are particularly cold and snowy. However, you don’t need too much of it.
I recommend using a thinner reflective layer like this foam Insulation around the walls of your shelter to block out wind and offer a bit more warmth to your goats.
Final Thoughts: What Type of Goat Shelter Will You Build?
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what you use for materials for your goat shelter. It also doesn’t matter what the plans are or if the shelter is pretty.
As long as it does the job, you are doing yours. And that makes your happy goat herd, well – happy.
So, don’t be afraid to get creative with the materials you already have and use these plans to make a custom DIY goat shelter that fits your fancy!
And let us know if you have any ideas or tips to share with us in the comments! We’re always looking for new ways to make our goats happy.
More Reading on Goats and Goat Shelter
- 19 Portable Goat Shelter Ideas to DIY or Buy [for Small Farms With Big Ideas!]
- 10 Best Goats for Beginners [Top Breeds for Dairy, Meat, and Pets!]
- Goat Names That Are Bleatin’ Maaaarvelous for Baby and Pet Goats [137+!]
- 17 Fun Facts You Didn’t Know About Goats [Can Goats Swim or Climb Trees??]
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Homesteader, Blogger, Farmer, Mom
Elle, the founder and visionary behind Outdoor Happens, is a seasoned horticulturist with over 25 years of hands-on experience. She's not just any gardener; she's a plant whisperer who ran her own nursery specializing in edible plants and fruit trees. With 15 years in permaculture design, she's transformed spaces from local schools to restaurants, promoting sustainable living and healthy eating.
Her work has caught the eye of major media outlets like Bob Vila, NBC News, The Washington Post, and more. She's a proud member of PINA, the Organic Farmer's Association, and the American Horticultural Society. But she doesn't just keep her wisdom stateside; she's a global green thumb, having worked on organic farms from Spain to Australia, revitalizing lands and designing self-sustaining ecosystems.
Whether it's turning a depleted Spanish farm into a permaculture paradise or setting up a biodynamic farm in Holland, Elle's mission is to make the world a greener, more sustainable place. She's a qualified permaculture teacher with diplomas in horticulture and naturopathy, and her passions range from herbalism and fermentation to animal husbandry and beyond. Elle lives the life she preaches, residing on a farm teeming with vegetable gardens, food forests, cows, sheep, horses, and chickens.
