Chapter 1: Construct goat structures

Constructing appropriate goat housing structures is a fundamental aspect of effective goat production in Kenya. Properly designed goat structures protect animals from environmental hazards, improve health management, and facilitate efficient feeding and breeding practices. This chapter explores the essential tools, equipment, and materials required to build durable and functional goat shelters suitable for diverse Kenyan farming conditions.

1.1 Tools, equipment and materials

A goat house, kid pen or handling yard is only as good as the tools used to build it and the materials it is made from. Goats climb, jump, push and chew, so their structures need firm posts, tight joints, smooth surfaces without sharp edges and a floor that stays dry. This topic describes the tools, the equipment and the materials a technician uses to construct goat structures, and the care each one needs.

1.1.1 Tools

Tools are hand-held implements used for measuring, cutting, fixing and finishing. A goat shelter, a raised slatted floor, a feeding rack or a gate can be built with a small set of hand tools, which is why smallholder farmers rely on them.

Hammer

The hammer drives nails into timber for the roof frame, wall boards and slats, and its claw pulls out bent nails. For a goat house a medium claw hammer is enough. Nails are driven so that their heads lie flush with the wood and no sharp points stick out where goats could be hurt.

Screw drivers

Screw drivers fix screws in hinges, latches, feeder brackets and door fittings. Screws hold better than nails in gates that goats push and rub against. A flat-tipped screw driver fits slotted screws and a cross-tipped one fits cross-head screws, and using the wrong type damages the screw head.

Tape measures

The tape measure gives the lengths and widths of floors, walls and roof members. It is used to check the planned floor area for the number of goats, and the height of the fence and the slats. Measurements are checked twice before cutting, since a wrong cut wastes timber.

A 3m (10ft) measuring tape (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Level

A spirit level shows when a surface is level or a post is upright. It is used on foundations, on the raised floor frame and on the feeding trough so that feed does not collect at one end, and on posts that the animals will lean on.

A traditional spirit level tool (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Saw

A saw cuts poles, planks and boards to size. A handsaw is widely used for small structures and is chosen according to the material, with finer teeth for cutting planks. Cuts are made along a marked line, and rough edges are smoothed afterwards so that they do not injure the goats.

Traditional handsaw with wooden handle (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Drill

A drill makes holes in timber and metal for bolts, screws and wire. A hand brace or an electric drill is used to bolt the frame of a raised floor or to fix roof sheets with bolts. Where electricity is not available, a hand drill or a cordless drill is used.

Pliers

Pliers grip, bend and cut wire and nails. They are used to tie and tighten wire mesh onto fence posts, to cut binding wire and to bend over wire ends so that none protrudes into the goat pen.

Chisel

A chisel shapes joints and cuts recesses in timber. It is used to make notches where the cross-members of a frame meet the posts and to fit hinges and latches, so that the parts fit tightly and cannot be pushed apart by goats.

Care and safe use of tools

• Clean tools after use and dry them to prevent rust, especially in humid areas.
• Sharpen saws and chisels regularly, since blunt tools slip and cause injuries.
• Store tools in a dry, lockable place.
• Wear gloves and eye protection when cutting, drilling or hammering.
• Check tools for loose heads, cracked handles and other faults before use.
• Use correct posture and a firm grip, and take breaks during long repetitive work.

Selecting tools for the size of the job

A smallholder building a small goat shed for a few animals can manage with manual tools. A larger commercial unit may add power tools such as an electric drill and a circular saw. Where electricity is not available, manual tools remain practical and cheaper. A sound choice balances cost, durability and local availability.

1.1.2 Equipment

Equipment means the larger machines and powered devices used to do heavy or repetitive work. For a small goat house much of it is not needed, but for a large commercial goat unit it can save time and labour. Heavy machines are hired only when the job needs them.

Bulldozer

A bulldozer is used on large or rough sites to clear bush and level the ground before building a goat house or a yard. It pushes soil with its blade to shape terraces and drainage lines. It is hired by the hour, so the work is planned so that all the clearing is finished in one visit.

Cranes

A crane lifts heavy items to where they are needed, such as steel roof trusses, precast concrete slabs and water storage tanks. It is rarely needed for goat houses except on very large units, and it must be operated by a trained operator, with the load kept clear of people.

Dump trucks

A dump truck carries bulk materials such as sand, quarry dust, ballast and stones to the building site and tips them near where they will be used. This saves much time compared with moving the same loads by wheelbarrow, and it is chosen when large quantities of materials are needed.

Mixer

A concrete mixer blends cement, sand, ballast and water in a rotating drum into uniform concrete. It is used to make foundations, floors and troughs. The drum is washed out immediately after use to prevent cement from hardening inside it.

Forklifts

A forklift raises loads stacked on pallets, for example concrete blocks, cement bags and bundles of roofing sheets, and carries them to where they are needed or onto a lorry. It is used at building supply yards and on large construction sites, and is operated by trained staff.

Care and selection of equipment

• Follow the maker's instructions for cleaning and lubrication.
• Inspect the machine before each use and fix faults before starting.
• Store equipment under shelter and let only trained operators use it, with ear protection and dust masks where needed.
• Choose equipment by the size of the project, the ground, the power available and the budget. Hiring costs less than buying when a machine is needed only now and then.

1.1.3 Materials

Materials are the substances from which the structure is built. Goat shelters need materials that are strong enough to resist pushing and climbing, that drain well and that do not hold moisture, because damp floors and walls lead to foot rot and pneumonia.

Cement

Cement is the binder in concrete, mortar and plaster. Bags of cement are stored off the ground in a dry place and used in the order in which they were bought, since damp cement forms lumps and loses its strength. Cement is used for foundations, floors, troughs and walls.

Sand

Sand is the fine aggregate mixed with cement for mortar and concrete. It must be clean and free from clay, soil and salt, because these weaken the mix. Sand for plastering is finer than sand for concrete.

Blocks

Blocks are used for walls and foundation walls of permanent goat houses. Concrete and stone blocks are strong, resist termites and rain and are easy to wash. Blocks are laid in mortar in staggered courses so that joints do not line up. Blocks must be hard and square, and should not crumble when handled.

Quarry dust

Quarry dust is the fine crushed rock left from quarrying. It is used to replace part of the sand in mortar, in block making, and as a compacted base under floors, where it drains well and gives a firm surface. It must be clean and dry, and it is not used where fine, smooth plaster is needed.

Timber, roofing, wire mesh and other materials

• Timber: Used for the roof frame, posts, rails and slats. Treated timber lasts longer in contact with soil and resists termites.
• Corrugated iron sheets: A durable roofing material that sheds rain. Sheets with a protective coating resist rust.
• Wire mesh: Gives ventilation and keeps out predators. A mesh of suitable strength is chosen so that goats cannot break or climb it.
• Thatch: A traditional roofing material that insulates well in hot areas, but it needs regular replacement.
• Concrete: Used for the foundation and the floors of feeding and milking areas, where an easy-to-clean surface is needed.

Selecting and sourcing materials

• Choose treated timber to resist termites in places where they are a problem.
• Buy materials from reputable suppliers so that blocks and sheets are of good quality.
• Choose locally available materials to reduce transport costs.
• Choose materials that allow ventilation and do not retain moisture, and use non-toxic preservatives and paints.
• Plan the design to use standard sizes of boards and sheets, so that little is wasted.
• Reuse sound salvaged timber and sheets where they are in good condition.

Chapter Summary

This chapter covered the essential tools, equipment, and materials required for constructing goat structures, highlighting the distinctions between each and their appropriate uses. It emphasized the importance of selecting a suitable site for the goat structure, considering factors such as drainage, accessibility, and protection from harsh weather. The process of constructing goat structures was detailed, including foundational work, framing, roofing, and finishing to ensure durability and comfort for the animals. Proper maintenance practices were discussed to prolong the lifespan of the structures and prevent damage from environmental and animal-related factors. The chapter also addressed the importance of keeping accurate records for both construction and maintenance activities to support effective management and planning. Finally, waste management techniques were explored to maintain hygiene and reduce environmental impact within the goat production environment.