Why New Stronger and Configurable Goat Pens?
The original pens that we used for our goats were actually horse stalls that had solid walls. However, we found that goats are social creatures, and they much preferred walls that they could see each other through.
So, we had the inner walls of the horse stalls replaced with 2″ x 4″ woven wire. After that change, the goats enjoyed being able to see what was going on and interact with each other. However, the woven wire fatigued (from the goats standing and rubbing on it), and eventually one broke while Honey was standing on it. The wire went through her hoof. Fortunately, we were in the barn when it happened.
In addition to breaking, the woven wire stall dividers provided no way to re-configure the stalls as needs and changes in the herd dictated. We were stuck with three separate 10′ x 10′ individual stalls. Separate stalls were fine during kidding season (spring for us), but the rest of the year we prefer larger pens.
The photo below shows one of the woven wire stall dividers.
Woven Wire Stall Dividers
Since we couldn’t have goats putting wire through their hooves (Honey did recover without incident), it was obvious that a better design was needed.
The New Pen Design
This time, we installed powder-coated 2″ x 2″ steel mesh panels that are very strong and durable. And, we had small gates built into the panels so that the pens could be opened up, or closed off as needs changed.
The photo below shows the new panel with the gate on the right side closed.
New 2″ x 2″ Powder Coated Steel Panel w/Gate
The photo below demonstrates how the gate can be opened, and there’s a latch so that it folds back on itself and can be permanently held open.
So, now we can have three 10′ x 10′ stalls, or one 10′ x 10′ and one 10′ x 20′, or one 10′ x 30′ stall. Whatever works best for the herd situation.
New Pen w/Gate Open
Plus, New Goat Pens
We liked these steel mesh panels with gates so well, we also decided to turn an under-utilized corner below the hayloft into additional pens. The area is about 10′ x 20′, but since it’s under the hayloft, it was only used to store miscellaneous stuff.
Start of Goat Pens Under HayLoft
This area did previously have a concrete floor, so we removed the concrete floor and added plywood sheeting around the exterior walls (to prevent drafts).
New Goat Pen LED Lighting
Some new LED lighting fixtures brightened up this previously dark corner.
Under Loft Goat Pens In Progress
The steel mesh panels fit right in place, and again there’s a gate in the interior panel so that area can be separated into two pens or opened up for one larger pen.
Completed Under Loft New Goat Pens
Add a few pine chips for bedding, and we’ve got two beautiful new pens for holding more Nigerian Dwarf goats! If you’re interested in getting Nigerian Dwarf goats, see my guide: Choosing Your First Nigerian Dwarf goats!
Brandie says
I’m sorry if I missed it but would you mind telling me where you found your 2×2 powder-coated panels?
Lesa says
Hi Brandie,
We had them made at Des Eck Welding in Apple Creek, Ohio. Their number is 330-698-7271. Hope this helps.
Shanna says
If I was looking for a local fence company to do this how would I go about it? How did you find a welding company to make these for you?
Thanks
glorianna buynak says
how do you feel about using concrete floor with straw above it?
Lesa says
Hi Glorianna, we didn’t like using concrete because the urine just sits on top of it rather than soaking into the ground like it does with dirt.
Mindy says
Is it not good to have concrete floors in a goat pen?
Lesa says
Hi Mindy,
Concrete floors don’t allow the goat’s urine to soak in, it just sits on top of the concrete. For this reason, we prefer dirt floors in the actual goat pens.
Rose says
Hi, my name is Rose. Where can I buy these gates? I need these. Also, it’s ok to keep a window or 2 open in winter for ventilation for goats? They won’t get too cold?
Lesa says
Hi Rose, we had them made at Des Eck Welding in Apple Creek, Ohio. Their number is 330-698-7271. Hope this helps. Also, yes it’s ok to keep a window or two open to improve ventilation as long as there’s not a draft blowing on the goats. You can read more about goats and their tolerance for cold weather here: https://www.betterhensandgardens.com/goats-how-much-cold-can-they-take/
Rose says
Thank you so much appreciate! I have been looking all over for these gates. I like the way they are all positioned. Thank you!
Shelly McGrew says
I currently keep my 4 small goats in a concrete floor enclosure. I have 2 questions (that I can’t find answers to anywhere): 1. Once you remove the concrete do you just use the shavings over a dirt floor? 2. I read ventilation is important to keep the goats healthy at night. We have 2 windows with screens. Can we just open them a few inches during the cold months or is that not enough air flow?
Lesa says
Hi Shelly, Yes basically we just use pine shavings over the dirt floor. The goats tend to waste a lot of hay, so the hay builds up over the pine shavings. You just need to monitor that it’s not getting too wet or that ammonia smell is building up down at the goat’s level. If so, then it’s time to clean. And yes, ventilation is important, they need to breathe fresh air, not ammonia fumes. I don’t know your layout, so it’s hard for me to tell you when you have enough airflow, but again you need to keep the air moving so that they’re not breathing the ammonia fumes from their urine.
Shelly McGrew says
Thank you Lesa. Your response is very helpful! I really appreciate the time you have given me.
Susanna says
When idea that could work is to use 3 x 3 steel grid walls, usually used for retail display. You can get these very inexpensively online, and they come in various heights and widths. Google retail display furniture, and you should be able to find someone near you who sells them, or could ship them to you.
Lawrence Adewuyi says
Thanks
Soaring Phoenix says
Where do you get your steel mesh panels?
Lunne says
Where did you purchase the 10ft black section with gate ?
Lesa says
Hi Lunne, we had them made at Des Eck Welding in Apple Creek, Ohio. Their number is 330-698-7271. Hope this helps.
Donna says
Great article! Where do you get the 2×2 steel mesh panels?
Thank you
Lesa says
Hi Donna, thanks on the article and we had them made at Des Eck Welding in Apple Creek, Ohio. There number is 330-698-7271. Hope this helps.
Monica Faye says
How much did it cost you to make them. If you don’t mind me asking. Also how long did it take to make them? I love the design I only have 2 goats this would be perfect for them.
Lesa says
Hi Monica, We had these built for us by a place that specializes in livestock enclosures. The price varies depending on the size, whether you have the gate put in, etc. But I think they were running between $100 and $200 at the time we had them built. And it usually took several weeks before they were ready for us to pick up.
Elise says
This is so cool! But where did you get the panels from?
Lesa says
Hi Elise, we had them made at Des Eck Welding in Apple Creek, Ohio. There number is 330-698-7271. Hope this helps.
Elise says
Thank you except I’m from Australia…where would I find a company like that here?
Ed says
In the Yellow Pages
Angela says
Looks beautiful! Those panels seem very safe and durable.
Thanks for sharing your ideas.
Janet Garman says
I love the ideas you have put into use here. Do you have a link for where to purchase the smaller gates?
Lesa says
Hi Janet,
I’m sorry but I don’t have a link, they were made by an Amish business that specializes in just making livestock stalls, etc. They have a very small, niche business, but they do great work that’s very well priced for the quality.
Diana says
Love your blog! Looks great!
Lesa says
Thanks for stopping by Diana!
Erin says
Just beautiful, Lesa! You guys sunk a lot of money and hard work into this project. We use good old cattle panels, those with the smaller squares at the bottom for our dividers. They fit through a slot, and can be removed to make a bigger stall.
Lesa says
Erin, Cattle panels are a great solution, but they didn’t quite work in our spacing. This was actually pretty easy to do, and because we live near the Amish, not as expensive as you might expect to have those panels made. I really love how easy it is to open or close those internal gates, and how much flexibility it adds for housing them as the herd changes through the year.
Erin says
You are so right about the flexibility factor as the herd changes. That is so important to plan for. I wish I had known that when I started out! The Amish do beautiful things with wood. Our girls’ new mini barn was made by them. They take a lot of pride in their work. ( Btw, I pinned your stalls on my goat board on Pinterest. 🙂 How many does do you have left to kid? Mine don’t start until 2 weeks!
Lesa says
Thanks for pinning Erin. I’m supposed to have 3 left to kid, but I think one took the year off. So probably only 2. 2 weeks will be here in no time, then you’ll have adorable kids too!