Help! We have more sheep than our barn can hold for winter. Any ideas for a temporary shelter for 10 - 15 sheep would be appreciated or a source for shelter plans. We get a lot of snow here and it gets below zero. I don't want to put up a permanent structure as this is a short term problem and i don't want to raise my property taxes. Thanks in advance. Kate Henderson

-- Kate Henderson (sheeplady@catskill.net), September 05, 1999

Answers

If you can find a supply of pallets, you can construct a strong, yet temporary shelter. Use plastic (or free log wrap--see your local lumber dealer) and staple that to the pallets that you have nailed together. Works great. Very sturdy. and you can make it any size you want.

We just picked up 15 9x9 pallets from the local electric company. They were happy that someone wanted them! We are sinking lodge pole trees into the ground for poles, nailing the pallets to them and putting on a roof...whammo..instant barn...36'x27' .

hope this helps Idaho Cher

-- Idaho Cher (fullcircle@nidlink.com), September 05, 1999.

In the past I have used straw bales with corrugated metal as roofing, for quick warm shelter. I have heard of bending 16ft. cattle panels in an "n" shape and cover each with plastic sheeting. Use a sheet of old plywood as a back wall. Here where I live, we can buy old plywood packing crates for five or ten dollars, sometimes even free. They really make great temporary housing. They are 4ft deep 4ft high and 8ft. long. Because they are only open on one side they even have wooden floors.

-- Maryanna Spurr (wewalk@usmo.com), September 06, 1999.