Building A Raised Goat Bed DIY

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Winter is here, and finding ways to keep goats warmer can be a little tricky. Today, I have an easy way, and that is Building A Raised Goat Bed DIY. A project you can do using supplies you already have.

How to Raise Dairy Goats that are healthy, happy, and warm even in the winter.

If you are looking for an inexpensive way to get your goats off of the cold ground this winter, then this article on building a raised goat bed DIY is for you!

Winter can be hard on our animals and affects each one differently. This is why it is important to know what is normal for each of your goats because what is normal for one will not be normal for the others. This is something I learned early on with our goat herd.

When I first started raising dairy goats, I learned more in the moment than I did from any book. That first winter was a great example. I remember there were a few very cold mornings when I found some of my goats freezing cold and others coping quite well.

My Nubian does, for example were all huddled together, sleeping and standing up.

This was unusual for them, so I went over and checked on my Alpine goats, and I found them sound asleep on the ground. Even my bucks were fine, nope not one complaint was heard out of them.

It was then that I realized this must be a Nubian thing. If you are new to Nubians, they are very dramatic. They are easily offended, will yell out when annoyed, yet love up on you for no reason.

That first winter, they let me know that the ground was cold and there was no way they would lie down on it to sleep. While there is nothing wrong with goats sleeping standing up, it does tug on my “need to please” heartstrings.

If you feel your shelter is too cold for your animals to thrive in, you can look for ways to insulate the ground. To set up a barrier of sorts to keep all of your animals warm. You can do this with a thick layer of bedding or you can build a raised platform.

A raised platform will allow your animals to lie down yet still be up off the ground where it is warmer for them to sleep. If you have a wood supply on your homestead, this will be a quick and inexpensive solution.

Goat Feed/Water Supplies:

Sadnyy 10 Pcs Ox Tendon Feeder Pan, 3 Quart Feed Pan Utility Horse Feed Bucket Rubber Dog Bowl Horse Feeder for Cats Dogs Goats Horses Chicken Dust Bath Container Animal Feeding, 10.2 x 3.1 InchLittle Giant® Plastic Mini Feeder | Fence Feeder | Goat Feeder | Durable & Mountable Bucket for Livestock | Made in USA | 6 Quart | Blue2 Pack Feed Trough and Waterer Bucket with Clips, for Goat Chicken Duck Sheeple Dog Piglets Deer Goose, Turkeys, Goat Feeder Supplies, 4.5 Quart (Appearance Patent Product)QVQE Hay Feeder Goat, 18 Gallon Multiple Sided Goat Hay Rack, Heavy Duty Iron Wall Hay Rack for Sheep with Detachable Grain Tray, Effortless Installation in Farm, YieldVCZONE 2 Packs Goat Hay Feeder Bag, Hay Feeder Bag with 1680D Oxford Cloth Fabric, Hanging Feeder Bag for Horse Sheep Donkeys Cattle (Black)

 

At first, I looked on Pinterest to see what I could find. What I found ranged from simple to crazy elaborate options that would cost a fortune to build. There were tri-level bunk beds (I kid you not) and raised platforms with ramps and bridges that led to other platforms.

Then Hubby, who had already labeled me an overindulgent goat owner, came up with a simple idea. He suggested we build a platform out of scrap pieces of pallet wood that we happen to have lying all around our homestead.

I was immediately on board since we had already made a scrap wood DIY Goat Playground, and our herd loved it.

How to Build a DIY Raised Goat Bed 

Before we dive in, I would like to apologize for the quality of the photos. I should have taken more, but unfortunately, these are all I have.

Step #1 Gather your supplies

For this project you will need:

• Wood pallet – look for one that is in good shape. Meaning that most of the slats are still in tack.
• Scrap wood
• Cinder blocks

First, carefully inspect your pallet and remove any staples that are sticking out. Next, add in nails where needed and additional support if things look week.

Where can you find wooden pallets?

Many times you can find wood pallets for free. Local businesses actually have a hard time getting rid of less-than-perfect ones and will gladly give them away if you just ask. If you have a local feed mill they usually have large stacks out back of their loading area. Next time you are there, ask if they have any extras you can have. More often than not, the answer will be yes.

Sorry, the next few photos are a bit blurry, not sure what happened ….let’s just blame the camera crew, shall we?

Step #2 Give a solid surface

When it comes to your animals, it is important to try and second guess what they may do and put in safeguards. Since there is a space between the slats I didn’t want anyone getting their legs stuck in between them.

To give a safer surface we found a scrap sheet of wood that we placed on top, covering the openings. We then used screws to attach it securely to the pallet.

Step #3. Adjust the Base and Height if Needed

At this point, we realized we needed to raise the bed up off the ground, and once that was done, we needed to stabilize it. This would help to keep it in place if all the goats decided to get on it at once – a likely possibility with our animals.

We repositioned the bed on an interior wall so it could be nailed securely in place. Next, we placed four cinder blocks under the bed to raise it off the ground. Goats love to be up; even if it is only a few inches to us, it is a file to them.

Step #5. Let Things Sit

Whenever you add anything new to your goat herd it is important to give them the space and the time to try things out. Goats hate change, and it can take them a while to get acclimated to anything new. Be patient and leave them alone to explore things on their own time.

For our herd, our does would not even go near the raised bed. Our buck, on the other hand, decided it was his, and that was where he spent most of that winter. Luckily, building a raised goat bed is inexpensive so we could set up beds for everyone if needed.

Repurposing what you have lying around is a great way to be more self-sufficient with your animals. Making something out of nothing is a skill most homesteaders have. The next time you want to update or build something new for your animals, look around your home before heading out to the store and try to make your supplies fit the project.

More Goat Cold Weather Tips:

• Best Hay for Goats in Winter
• How to Help Your Goats Cope with Winter
• Barn Cleaning Winter Prep