A New Shed for the Bullpen

I started to tell you last week about our new construction project in the back pasture that we call the "bullpen."  It's where we keep the males of the bovine and goat persuasion segregated from the females in order to control breeding times so that the babies come when we want them to come.  The bullpen has no barn, no enclosure to get out of the rain.  It is bordered by woods that provide overhanging shade.  We can and do run them into the barn through a gate that's adjacent if weather gets too bad.

For Nicky the bull, it's not a big deal.  For Popcorn, the billy, he doesn't like the rain and is prone to getting hoof rot.  Tricia asked that we build a small lean-to or shed to provide protection from the elements to the animals in the bullpen.  That project has been on the list for a couple of months and this week, we decided to begin so that we would have it done before the north wind starts to blow and weather deteriorates.

Four 4x4 posts were set in the corners and cemented in.  Curious onlookers supervised the process and got in the way.  I had to move them out of the bullpen after my patience ran a little thin.

I looked at several plans, but none were exactly what I was looking for.  I ended up having no plans and would just play in by ear, wing it, and see how it comes out.  I took measurements and composed my materials list and drove to Stine Lumber to get necessary supplies - about $300 worth, although I did use some lumber I had stashed away in the barn rafters.  Side supports went up.  These add support but also will anchor the tin sides of the shed.

I'm no carpenter - not even on my best day.  I just kind of throw things together.  I used a level and tried my best to make things square.  Experience has taught me that the animals don't care about quality construction as long as it is functional.  The remainder of the walls go up as well as the boards that will support the sloping roof.

The roof rafters, I guess you'd call them are now on, supported by 3 inch screws.  The roof will open to the south, providing protection from the north winds of winter.

The roof is up and now the walls start going in.

The south side will remain wide open, but the other three sides will be closed off.  I assume later on we could gate off the opening, if the need arises.

Russ came by the house Saturday afternoon and helped me cut the tin into 5 foot sections and begin hanging the walls.  I couldn't have done this part alone.

Here's our completed shed.  It's small, yet it will provide a respite from cold winds and rain in the winter.

Here's a look from the west side.  A west side story, you might call it.

The project is complete.  Now it's time to get in the garden and start working on the fall/winter planting.

Halfway Finished With the Barn Expansion

We began construction around 9 am after getting the materials from the farm.  With the 4x4 support posts already up on both sides, we elected to begin on the north side of the barn.  We measured a little over 7 feet at the bottom and ran a string and level and screwed the 2x4 header across the 2x4s.  This allows a slope, but not quite at the angle of the existing roof of the barn.

We measured our 2x4s for the rafters a little over 10 feet and we cut a notch to allow it to fit over the header.  After making on pattern, we used it to cut the remaining 11 rafters.

Once all the rafters were up, we nailed runners across the rafters that will serve as the base for securing the tin to the roof.  Russ & I climbed on the roof with drills and screws with rubber gaskets and screwed the tin to the runners.

We overlapped the tin, ensuring that the peaks and valleys of the tin lined up perfectly.  Once the runners and the tin were on, the building became very sturdy.

The weather vane, with it's boastful rooster, sits atop the barn, letting us know from which direction the wind was blowing.

By mid to late afternoon, we were finished with the southern side of the barn.  This will give more shade and protection from the weather.

It completely changes the profile of the barn.

This Saturday, if the Good Lord's willing and the creek don't rise, we'll begin (and hopefully finish) the expansion on the north side of the barn as well.  We're pleased with the way it turned out.