8 Supplies for Building a Concrete Block Livestock Shelter

When winter winds howl or summer heat beats down, your livestock need a durable, draft-free place to take refuge. Building a shelter out of concrete blocks offers an incredibly durable, rot-proof, and predator-resistant solution for small-scale farms. Having the right materials and tools on hand before you mix your first batch of mortar will save your back, your budget, and your sanity.

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Planning Your Concrete Block Livestock Shelter

Before digging the first trench, consider the specific needs of your animals and the layout of your pasture. Pigs, goats, and sheep all have different space requirements, but a general rule of thumb is to allow at least 15 to 20 square feet per animal for small livestock. Position the open side of the shelter away from prevailing winter winds to prevent drafts from chilling your herd.

Local building codes and zoning laws often have specific setbacks or permit requirements, even for agricultural structures. Checking these regulations early prevents costly teardowns or fines later on. Additionally, map out water drainage patterns on your property to ensure you do not build in a seasonal low spot that turns into a muddy swamp.

Concrete Block – Quikrete Standard Concrete Block

The foundation of any permanent, predator-proof livestock shelter is the wall material itself. Concrete blocks provide the thermal mass needed to keep animals cool in the summer and warm in the winter, while resisting the inevitable scratches, nudges, and impacts from curious livestock. Unlike wood, these blocks will never rot, harbor wood-boring pests, or require painting.

The Quikrete Standard Concrete Block is the industry standard for a reason. Its uniform dimensions make stacking predictable, and the hollow cores allow for steel reinforcement and concrete filling to create an indestructible wall. These blocks feature a rough texture that bonds exceptionally well with mortar, ensuring long-term structural integrity.

• Dimensions: 8" x 8" x 16" standard size
• Weight: Approximately 38 lbs per block
• Core Style: Double hollow core for rebar and grout

When purchasing, always order about 10% more blocks than your calculated wall area to account for cuts, breaks, and corner configurations. Keep in mind that handling these 38-pound blocks is physically demanding work that requires proper lifting techniques to avoid back strain. This block is ideal for anyone building a permanent, heavy-duty shelter for goats, sheep, or hogs, but it is not the right choice for temporary or mobile shelters.

Mortar Mix – Quikrete Type N Masonry Mortar Mix

Mortar is the glue that holds your concrete blocks together and seals the joints against wind and rain. Without a high-quality mortar, your block wall is just a pile of loose stones vulnerable to shifting soil and animal pressure. It must balance strength with flexibility to withstand seasonal temperature swings without cracking.

Quikrete Type N Masonry Mortar Mix is formulated specifically for load-bearing, above-grade walls like livestock shelters. This pre-blended mix of cement, lime, and sand offers excellent workability and water retention, giving you ample time to place and adjust each block. Its medium compressive strength is perfectly matched for standard concrete block construction.

• Compressive Strength: 750 PSI (Type N)
• Coverage: Approximately 12 to 15 blocks per 80 lb bag
• Cure Time: 28 days for full strength

Proper mixing is crucial; too much water weakens the bond, while too little makes the mortar crumbly and unworkable. Plan to mix only what you can use within two hours, especially on hot, dry days when the mix dries out rapidly. This product is perfect for DIY builders who want a reliable, pre-measured mix, but it is not suitable for below-grade foundations that require Type M mortar.

Steel Rebar – Grip-Rite 1/2-Inch Steel Rebar

While concrete blocks excel at supporting vertical weight, they have low tensile strength and can crack under lateral pressure, such as a large animal leaning against the wall. Steel rebar runs vertically through the block cores and horizontally between courses to tie the entire structure into a single, cohesive unit.

Grip-Rite 1/2-Inch Steel Rebar provides the ideal balance of strength and manageability for small-scale agricultural projects. The deformed surface pattern features ridges that grip the surrounding concrete grout, preventing slippage under stress. This thickness offers robust structural reinforcement without being too stiff to bend or cut with basic hand tools.

• Diameter: 1/2-inch (No. 4)
• Length Options: 10-foot or 20-foot sections
• Material: Deformed carbon steel

You will need a hacksaw or an angle grinder to cut the rebar to length, and steel tie wire to secure overlapping pieces. Store the rebar off the ground on pallets to prevent excessive rusting before it is cast into the concrete. This rebar is essential for any permanent block wall over three feet tall, but it is unnecessary for low, single-course garden borders.

Masonry Trowel – Marshalltown Philadelphia Trowel

A masonry trowel is the extension of your hand during a block-laying project, used to scoop, place, and spread mortar onto the blocks. A poorly balanced trowel leads to hand fatigue and sloppy joints, which can compromise the weatherproofing of your shelter.

The Marshalltown Philadelphia Trowel is a legendary tool among builders due to its durability and ergonomic design. The Philadelphia pattern features a wider heel, allowing you to hold more mortar on the blade, which speeds up the laying process. Forged from a single piece of high-grade tool steel, this trowel will not bend or snap when scraping dried mortar off your mixing board.

• Blade Length: 10 inches or 11 inches
• Pattern: Philadelphia (wide heel)
• Handle Type: DuraSoft grip for vibration reduction

Beginners may find the larger blade size slightly awkward at first, requiring some practice to master the "flick of the wrist" needed to spread a clean mortar bed. Keep the steel blade clean and lightly oiled between uses to prevent rust and maintain its smooth release properties. This trowel is a must-have for any farmer tackling a serious masonry project, but it is overkill for small patch jobs.

Spirit Level – Empire 48-Inch Aluminum Box Level

In masonry, even a tiny fraction of an inch of misalignment at the base of a wall will compound into a glaring, unstable lean by the time you reach the top course. A reliable level ensures your walls are perfectly plumb (vertical) and level (horizontal), which is critical for structural safety and roof installation.

The Empire 48-Inch Aluminum Box Level offers the accuracy and durability required for rugged outdoor construction sites. Its solid aluminum frame resists twisting and warping when dropped, while the high-contrast e-Band vials make reading the bubble easy in direct sunlight. The 48-inch length is ideal because it spans multiple blocks at once, giving you a truer reading across the wall.

• Length: 48 inches
• Frame Material: Anodized aluminum box beam
• Vial Type: High-contrast e-Band acrylic vials

To maintain its precision, avoid using the level as a straightedge for scraping mortar, and never strike it with a hammer to adjust a block. Wipe the vials clean with a damp cloth regularly to keep dried mortar from obscuring your view. This tool is indispensable for anyone laying block walls, but it is not ideal for tight, cramped spaces where a shorter torpedo level would be more maneuverable.

Rubber Mallet – TEKTON 16 Ounce Rubber Mallet

Once a concrete block is set into a bed of wet mortar, it must be gently tapped into its final, level position. Using a standard steel hammer will crack or shatter the block, while using your bare hands is exhausting and ineffective. A rubber mallet delivers the necessary force to seat the block without damaging the masonry.

The TEKTON 16 Ounce Rubber Mallet features a double-faced solid rubber head that strikes a perfect balance between impact force and surface protection. The high-strength fiberglass handle absorbs the shock of each strike, reducing strain on your wrists and elbows during long workdays. Its black rubber head is formulated to resist leaving dark, unsightly scuff marks on your clean concrete blocks.

• Head Weight: 16 ounces
• Face Material: Non-marring black rubber
• Handle Material: High-strength fiberglass

Ensure you strike the block squarely on its solid outer webs rather than the thin hollow cores to prevent accidental cracking. Keep the mallet dry and store it out of direct sunlight to prevent the rubber from degrading over time. This mallet is the perfect tool for DIY builders setting blocks, but it is not suitable for heavy demolition work.

Mixing Tub – MacCourt Heavy Duty Mixing Tub

Mixing mortar by hand requires a sturdy, leak-proof vessel that can withstand the abrasive scrape of a shovel or hoe. Trying to mix mortar on a flat piece of plywood or in a flimsy five-gallon bucket leads to wasted material, uneven hydration, and a massive mess.

The MacCourt Heavy Duty Mixing Tub is constructed from high-density polyethylene that resists cracking, chipping, and UV damage. Its smooth, sloped sides make it easy to scrape up every last bit of mortar, ensuring no dry pockets of mix are left in the corners. The 10-gallon capacity is the perfect size for mixing a single 80-pound bag of mortar at a time without spilling over the edges.

• Capacity: 10 gallons (holds one 80 lb bag of mix)
• Material: High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
• Dimensions: 20" x 30" x 6"

Always clean the tub thoroughly with water immediately after you finish mixing; once mortar cures inside the tub, it is incredibly difficult to remove. The tub is lightweight and easy to transport around the farm, but it should be stored flat to prevent warping. This mixing tub is an essential, low-cost investment for manual mortar work, though it is not necessary if you have access to a mechanical mixer.

Roofing Panel – Ondura Corrugated Roofing Panel

A livestock shelter is only as good as its roof, which must shield your animals from rain, snow, and intense sun. The roofing material needs to be lightweight enough for easy installation on a simple timber frame, yet durable enough to withstand high winds and heavy snow loads.

Ondura Corrugated Roofing Panels are made from an asphalt-impregnated organic fiber material that offers several advantages over traditional metal roofing. They do not rust, dent, or develop sharp edges over time, and they absorb sound, meaning heavy rain or hail won’t terrify your livestock. These panels also provide excellent thermal insulation, keeping the shelter cooler in the summer.

• Panel Size: 79" x 48"
• Material: Asphalt-impregnated organic fibers
• Noise Reduction: High sound absorption compared to metal

You must use the manufacturer’s specific gasketed nails or screws to secure the panels, placing them on the crowns of the corrugations to prevent leaks. Ensure your support purlins are spaced according to the manufacturer’s guidelines to prevent sagging under snow loads. This roofing is ideal for small-scale livestock shelters, but it is not the right choice for structures requiring a Class A fire rating.

Preparing a Solid Foundation for Your Shelter

A concrete block wall is incredibly heavy, and without a solid, level foundation, the soil beneath will compress unevenly, causing the walls to crack and eventually collapse. Start by digging a trench below your local frost line to prevent frost heave from lifting your shelter during winter. Fill this trench with a compacted gravel base, followed by a poured concrete footer reinforced with steel rebar.

Take your time during this phase; any mistakes made on the foundation will plague you throughout the entire build. Use a string line and stakes to ensure your footer is perfectly square by measuring diagonally from corner to corner. If the diagonals are equal, your foundation is square, and your block corners will line up beautifully.

Tips for Laying Strong and Level Block Walls

Always start your wall by dry-laying the first course of blocks to check your spacing and ensure you do not end up with tiny, weak slivers of block at the corners. Once you are satisfied, lay a thick bed of mortar and set your corner blocks first, as these act as the guides for the rest of the wall. Stretch a tight mason’s line between the corners to keep each intermediate block perfectly aligned and level.

Apply mortar to the vertical ears of the blocks before sliding them into place, and use your rubber mallet to tap them down to the line. As you build upward, stagger the vertical joints by half a block length to distribute weight and strength evenly across the wall. Use a jointing tool to compress and seal the mortar joints before they dry, which keeps wind-driven rain from penetrating the wall.

Securing the Roof and Finishing Your Shelter

To attach a roof to a concrete block wall, you must install a wooden top plate (usually a pressure-treated timber) along the top of the wall. Secure this plate using anchor bolts embedded directly into the concrete-filled cores of the top block course. This creates a rock-solid connection that prevents high winds from lifting the roof off the shelter.

Once the top plate is secure, install your rafters or trusses, ensuring a generous overhang on all sides to shed water away from the block foundation. Finally, screw your corrugated roofing panels down, seal any gaps with outdoor-rated caulk, and apply a breathable masonry sealer to the exterior walls to prevent moisture absorption. Your livestock will thank you for a dry, cozy home that will stand strong for decades to come.

Building a concrete block livestock shelter is a labor of love that pays dividends in animal health and peace of mind. By choosing the right tools and materials, you ensure your hard work results in a structure that stands the test of time and weather. Gather your supplies, take your time on the foundation, and enjoy the process of building a lasting legacy on your farm.