Wood Kennel Construction

[UNDERDOG]

Thats gonna be real nice Matt....I like it. I knew some old men in the cajun swamps who did theres like that but w/ a thin slab and about 4' in the air.

[3-Bdogs]

got a ? if you dont mind as a comparison how much did you save by not poorin a slab jw

[matt_aggie04]

By not pooring a slab in this exact same location I saved over 2K in dirt work and concrete.  The slab alone would have cost around $2800 but the dirt would have run me another 500-1000 if I spread it myself.  That and I didn't have to change the natural landscape too much and water can run underneath it, there were a few advantages outside of the cost savings that I feel like I got by going to an elevated wooden deck.

[catchinpigs]

I wish I would have elevated mine more than 4in off the ground when I built them. Looks real good. 

[longshot]

Matt,
THanks Guinea pig.......LOL

I really like the looks of those and I am waiting to hear a report in a few months before I pull the trigger on my kennel plans that are swirling in my head.

Keep up the good work and take lots of pictures!
Longshot

[matt_aggie04]

Thank you James, I was talking to Richard Skinner this morning about foot conditioning on the soft wood.  That will be an experiment in and of itself but I think between roll roofing and some A/C pads (concrete) I will be able to keep their feet from getting too soft.

[uglydog]

Matt, Hurry up! I wanting to see the finished product, with a smiling yella dog in there.

I am considereing my next kennel runs to be on wood floors. maybe up on skids so I can move them with the tractor to put lyme underneath when needed and have a good cleaning.

I love the concrete but after last years hard drought and a wet, wet couple of months I am getting some foundation moving that is causing my drainage to be off.

[matt_aggie04]

I have not tried it yet but I am hoping to put some lyme and water in a pump sprayer and spray under the deck to keep the smell down and scoop the solids until I finish my ulitmate gutter project.  Goin to cut some large (24" or greater) sewer pipe in half and attach to the back of the kennel and then have it drain into a burried barrel which should eliminate any need for scooping.  That one will have to wait though, have to finish a good bit of fence and get the rest of the kennels put on the deck and roofed.

[Douglas524]

Nice kennels for sure .What did the deck run you if don't mind me asking.

[Dexter]

 now thats gonna smell sweet   burning dog piss and  well ya know  i threw some on a brush pile and burned it never again
      ewww glad i am not down wind
  Matt good looking job     

         Dexter
 

[rdjustham]

Matt

Any new progress im dieing to see them finished so i can steal your idea 

[ETHHunters]

Thank you James, I was talking to Richard Skinner this morning about foot conditioning on the soft wood.  That will be an experiment in and of itself but I think between roll roofing and some A/C pads (concrete) I will be able to keep their feet from getting too soft.

Why dont you try hunting them dogs a little bit!!

[matt_aggie04]

Timmy I was only able to put em on 16 hogs in January while building all this crap so I will try to step it up a little coming into the spring and start carrying em to the woods a little more often

[ETHHunters]

The way you boys catch hogs that was probably only one or two hunts!!

[longshot]

I wouldnt be worried about soft feet however I would be concerned with the gap left between the boards.

If it is not wide enough water and dirt, feices and Urine will not flow thorugh easliy.  If it is too wide they could hang and brake toe nails or even toes and ankles if it is too wide.

There has to be a ideal gap that needs to be left in between the planks.
Longshot

[matt_aggie04]

I butted the boards and hope to have just enough gap to allow for fluids to go through once the wood dries this summer.  Time will tell the tale on whether or not I made the right decision or not.  I will say this, this creek bottom is snakey and has alot of ants and deep sand for fleas all of which I hope to not have to deal with in kennels with them being this high off the ground.  I was wearing a long sleave shirt and a coat yesterday building fence around all this kennel area and found a baby copper head.  I have a feeling that this spring and summer will be a snake killing party with all the woods and the creek around me.  I did manage to put the rest of the kennels on the deck yesterday and finished building my corners for my fence.  All I like is putting up about 75 t-posts and stretching some wire, and then putting the r-panel on the dog kennels.  Two or three days worth of work and I will be ready for dogs and should have a lot more pictures to show of the semi-finished product.....

[longshot]

I am excited about your kennela and cant wait to see the finished pics.

Longshot
PS do you need me to hop in my boat and come help with the T-posts?

[matt_aggie04]

I have planted them stinking things everyday after work and I still have about 20 or more to put in.  I am tired of t-posts!!  I am going to buy the roofing material tomorrow and Lord willing we will get it put on and the wire stretched on my fence this weekend.  There is a lot of work to be done between now and then so we will see how it goes. 

I thought it was we around here but it has been raining since last night and is still raining now.  I am considering adding some type of plank to the bottom of my rubber boots to help with weight distribution, you sink everywhere you step.....

[matt_aggie04]

Well after three solid days of working at it we finished all of the perimeter fence, roofed the kennels and moved the dogs over.  I am TIRED but will try to take pics tomorrow and get them posted up so everyone can see how it looks but I am ver pleased with the finished product and total cost of the project.

[matt_aggie04]

These are the least crappy pics I took this afternoon as it was getting dark, I will take some more when it is sunny and after I have cleaned all my junk up.