Designing a Better Compact Barn

I'm in the design phase of creating a barn for dairy goats. It is designed to be rather compact but be able to store adequate bedding and winter ration for two dairy goats (and their kids), have a drive-in bay for unloading from a pickup truck, and to have two 72 sq ft stalls. In the summer, one stall will be used for the goats, and the other for 2-4 pigs. In the winter after the pigs are harvested, I will be able (during inclement weather) to herd the goats into the second stall so I can clean the first without putting them out in the elements. The drive-in bay is between the stalls and the straw mow. A ladder goes up into the feed loft from this central bay. I designed it so that the straw mow, drive-in bay, and feed loft are build of half-dovetail notched logs, and the stalls and roof are timber framed. The log portion has a gabled roof, and the timber framed section has a shed roof that attaches to the wall of the log portion on the gable end. There is a window above the shed roof in the gable proper that admits light. The roofing material of choice is tile. I could be persuaded to another material, but clay is abundant and ceramic is durable if you don't let water pool. I intend to collect rainwater off the roof to give the animals. A possible add on in the form of a lean-to, is a place to start chicks before they are big enough to go in the chickshaw.

Some definitions please;
straw mow
chickshaw

Would a metal roof work for you?
Can you have a high gutter so a larger tank can collect the rainfall?

John C Daley wrote:Some definitions please;
straw mow
chickshaw

Would a metal roof work for you?
Can you have a high gutter so a larger tank can collect the rainfall?

A mow is a space in a barn for storage of feed or bedding in bulk. A straw mow stores straw.

A chickshaw is a type of chicken tractor that was designed by Justin Rhodes.

Metal would work but I really like tile.

The gutter would be up high seeing as how there is a loft or second storey.

Sounds like a cool barn!  When will you start building?  We'll need to see some pictures as you construct it

Sounds Awesome!

Log & Timber framing will give a sturdy and beautiful design; unusual to see it with tile

How are you managing air flow?
Are you providing outdoor access for each stall?

Dustin Rhodes wrote:Sounds Awesome!

Log & Timber framing will give a sturdy and beautiful design; unusual to see it with tile

How are you managing air flow?
Are you providing outdoor access for each stall?

The drive in bay for unloading feed and straw seperates the stalls from the mow and with the doors open admits light and air. We are considering a vent on the doors covered in 1/4 inch hardware cloth. This would allow air in at the bottom and the window in the gable end will let it out as decaying deep bedding warms the air in the barn.

Tiles are draughty and heavey which may be one reason they are not used a lot.

John C Daley wrote:Tiles are draughty and heavey which may be one reason they are not used a lot.

I was going to use tiles that fit together very closely with specially shaped ones on the edges.