How to Build a Livestock Run in a Shed

Goats would appreciate a livestock run in a shed.

Keeping livestock, such as goats, sheep or ponies, in a small family farm or rural backyard can be an enjoyable and rewarding hobby. Instead of spending thousands of dollars on an actual barn or a pre-fab livestock run made of metal and plastic, consider building your own livestock run in a shed.

Things You'll Need

• Wooden shed 4-by-4 fence posts Wire fencing roll Fence staples Screw-in large hooks Hammer Screwdriver Electric saw Sandpaper or electric sander Post hole digger Shovel Measuring tape

Instructions

1. Position a pre-built wooden shed in the location you wish to build your livestock run. This will be a semi-permanent structure, so be sure to choose a location with enough space for the type of animal you intend to keep. The size of the shed needed will also depend on the type of animal. A standard 8-by-10 shed would be ideal for most livestock in a small herd.

2. Remove the hinges and the front doors from the shed with a screwdriver. To make a livestock run shed, the doors will not be used. Carry the doors to the opposite wall of the shed and lean them up against it as a guide. Trace around the doors with a marker or wood pencil. This option and the following one can be skipped if you do not intend to have an open-sided livestock run, but rather a miniature barn type structure.

3. Use an electric saw to cut on the lines you just made from tracing the doors, and remove the piece of wood. Sand the edges of the opening so there are no sharp edges or splintery bits. Retain the wood and the doors to build feed boxes or other outdoor projects for your yard or garden.

4. Unroll the wire fencing and cut a length that is long enough to fit across the opening you just cut in the wall of the shed. This wire fencing can be any height. Just be sure it is appropriate for the type of animals you are keeping. Flatten the fence piece against the inside of the shed opening, and use fence staples or a large-size staple in a staple gun to attach it securely to the wood. This will provide both views and fresh air for the animals using the livestock run.

5. Mark the outline of the livestock yard or pen on the ground with a rope or flexible garden hose. This is an optional step if you are positioning the shed livestock run inside a much larger pasture or fenced in area. This area should run from the sides of the shed out in a rectangular area for ease of building. The size will again depend on the type of animals you choose.

6. Measure approximately 4-foot intervals around the outside of the livestock yard you have marked off. This distance between posts can be larger if you are building a larger run and using heavier fencing. Use a post hole digger to make a deep hole in each place and position a 4-by-4 fence post piece of wood in it. These holes should be at least 2 feet deep for maximum stability. Tamp down the dirt back into the holes to keep the posts upright.

7. Begin at the first fence post at the corner of the livestock run shed, and attach the rolled fencing material securely to the post. It is a good idea to wrap it around the edge of the post and secure it with fence staples or a sturdy staple gun staples in two places on the post. Draw the wire fencing around all the posts, attaching it securely as you go. Do not staple the end of the fencing to the last post.

8. Screw three large hooks into the outside of the last 4-by-4 fence post at the top, middle and bottom. Hook the end of the wire fencing over these hooks to secure the doorway. To get in to the livestock run, simply unhook the fence and step in. Conversely, you could build a type of gate by stapling the top, bottom and side of the last wire fencing piece to 1-by-2 boards and using a simple latch to attach it to the final post. Your livestock run in the shed is now complete and ready for animals.

Tips & Warnings

• Never use toxic paint as goats might chew it.