How to Build a Shelter for Your Small Animals (Goats, Pigs, Chickens) 🏗️🐐🐖🐓

If you’re raising goats, pigs, or chickens, a well-built shelter is one of the best investments you can make. These animals may be small, but they each have unique needs when it comes to space, protection, and daily care. That’s why learning how to build a shelter for your small animals starts with knowing your land, your animals, and the challenges of your local climate.

At Wolf Valley Buildings, we’ve helped hundreds of landowners create practical, durable shelters that work in real life — not just on paper. Here’s what you need to know before building your own.

Know What Each Animal Needs 🧠

Start by understanding your animals’ basic requirements. Chickens need dry, ventilated coops with roosting bars and nesting boxes. Goats need shelter from wind and rain, plus enough space to stand, lie down, and move freely. Pigs need shade, airflow, and solid flooring that’s easy to clean. Every species brings a different set of needs to the table.

When you build a multi-animal shelter, separation is key. Use partitions or gates to divide spaces, preventing feed mix-ups and behavioral issues. With the right design, you can build one structure that houses several species safely.

Choose the Right Location 📍

The right placement can extend the life of your shelter and reduce your workload. Pick a site with natural drainage, access to water, and protection from prevailing winds. Avoid low-lying areas that collect water after a storm.

You’ll also want to plan your layout so you can easily feed, clean, and access animals — especially during bad weather. A shelter that’s hard to reach or prone to mud will make daily chores much harder.

Use Materials That Last 💪

Many DIY shelters fall apart because they use cheap materials or improper construction. Pressure-treated lumber, metal siding, and solid roofing can stand up to years of weather, animals, and daily wear. If you plan to house pigs, consider kick boards and reinforced corners to prevent rooting damage.

At Wolf Valley, we use materials rated for livestock environments. That means chew-resistant trims, hardware cloth ventilation, and secure latches built to withstand Texas storms and animal curiosity.

Include Proper Ventilation and Drainage 🌬️💧

Ventilation helps control moisture and reduce ammonia buildup — especially for chickens and pigs. Install screened vents near the roofline and windows that open in warmer months. Good drainage under and around the structure prevents mud, mold, and hoof rot.

We recommend elevating small animal shelters slightly or building them on gravel pads to improve water runoff and discourage digging pests.

Build with Cleaning and Feeding in Mind 🧽🍽️

Think ahead about how you’ll manage cleaning and feeding. Doors should be wide enough for wheelbarrows. Feed rooms or overhangs near entrances keep chores efficient and dry. Shelves or hooks on interior walls let you store supplies safely off the ground.

A well-designed shelter saves time every day and keeps animals healthier by reducing stress and improving sanitation.

Customize for Long-Term Use 🛠️

Even if you start small, build with growth in mind. Add extra room for future animals, removable dividers to change the layout, or a stall that can double as a sick pen if needed. Good design today prevents expensive rebuilds later.

Our customers often start with chickens or goats and expand to pigs, rabbits, or 4-H animals over time. Your shelter should be ready to grow when you are.

Ready to Build a Shelter That Works?

You don’t need a giant barn to raise healthy animals — just the right structure in the right place. When you know how to build a shelter for your small animals, you gain confidence, reduce stress, and make daily care easier. Let Wolf Valley Buildings help you build something practical, durable, and affordable — made just for your land. 🐾

Internal & Outbound Links:
Choosing the Right Loafing Shed For Livestock
Goat Shelter for Summer: Why Every Herd Needs One
Custom Dog Kennels for 2025 | Backyard Shelter Ideas

Texas A&M Small Livestock Shelter Guidelines (PDF)