homestead.fyi / ALLEY

Cattle Alley and Headgate

A 11 ft alley, 30 in wide inside, of 4x4 posts and six 2x6 rails a side, ending in a wooden headgate.

Draft plan, generated from the model. Not yet build-tested.
136 inLength
30 inInside width
60 inHeight
20 to 30 hrBuild time
~$365.40Materials, part estimate

Drawings All dimensions in inches

3D viewfinished
3D view
3D view, framingsiding and roof removed
3D view, framing
Front elevation
Front elevation 40 in 90 in
Right elevation
Right elevation 141 1/2 in 90 in
Plan viewfrom above
Plan view 40 in 141 1/2 in

Cut list: lumber Long-point lengths; angles noted

QtyStockLengthPartCut
22x6 GC70Rail left 1.on edge, outside the posts
22x6 GC70Rail left 2.on edge, outside the posts
22x6 GC70Rail left 3.on edge, outside the posts
22x6 GC70Rail left 4.on edge, outside the posts
22x6 GC70Rail left 5.on edge, outside the posts
22x6 GC70Rail left 6.on edge, outside the posts
22x6 GC70Rail right 1.on edge, outside the posts
22x6 GC70Rail right 2.on edge, outside the posts
22x6 GC70Rail right 3.on edge, outside the posts
22x6 GC70Rail right 4.on edge, outside the posts
22x6 GC70Rail right 5.on edge, outside the posts
22x6 GC70Rail right 6.on edge, outside the posts
12x6 GC40Gate sillon edge, across the end
12x6 GC37Gate top baron edge, drops over the swing post
34x4 PT90Post leftburied 30 in
34x4 PT90Post rightburied 30 in
14x4 PT90Gate side postburied
14x4 PT54Gate fixedbolted to the sill
14x4 PT54Gate swingpivots on a bolt through the sill

Lumber cutting diagram Lengths chosen for the lowest cost; 1/8 in kerf, 1/2 in end trim

2x6 GC x 12 ft
Rail left 1.1 70Rail left 1.2 70
2x6 GC x 12 ft
Rail left 2.1 70Rail left 2.2 70
2x6 GC x 12 ft
Rail left 3.1 70Rail left 3.2 70
2x6 GC x 12 ft
Rail left 4.1 70Rail left 4.2 70
2x6 GC x 12 ft
Rail left 5.1 70Rail left 5.2 70
2x6 GC x 12 ft
Rail left 6.1 70Rail left 6.2 70
2x6 GC x 12 ft
Rail right 1.1 70Rail right 1.2 70
2x6 GC x 12 ft
Rail right 2.1 70Rail right 2.2 70
2x6 GC x 12 ft
Rail right 3.1 70Rail right 3.2 70
2x6 GC x 12 ft
Rail right 4.1 70Rail right 4.2 70
2x6 GC x 12 ft
Rail right 5.1 70Rail right 5.2 70
2x6 GC x 12 ft
Rail right 6.1 70Rail right 6.2 70
2x6 GC x 8 ft
Gate sill 40Gate top bar 37
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Post left 1 90
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Post left 2 90
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Post left 3 90
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Post right 1 90
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Post right 2 90
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Post right 3 90
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Gate side post 90
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Gate fixed 54
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Gate swing 54

Shopping list $341.40 checked / $24.00 estimated

ItemStoreQtyEachLineNote
2x6x12 ground-contact pressure-treatedHome Depot12$14.18$170.16see lumber cutting diagram
2x6x8 ground-contact pressure-treatedHome Depot1$9.78$9.78see lumber cutting diagram
4x4x8 ground-contact pressure-treatedHome Depot9$11.28$101.52see lumber cutting diagram
Exterior wood screws #9 x 2.5 in, 5 lb boxHome Depot2$29.97$59.94
Carriage bolts, nuts and washers, 12 packHome Depot2$12.00$24.00
Total before tax~$365.40
Filled dot: price read from a store listing on Oct 20, 2026. Hollow dot: estimate. Prices come from the master price list, so they change when it changes.

Build steps

  1. Mark the six post positions, 30 in apart across and 66.5 in apart along the alley, and check square by measuring both diagonals. Dig each hole 30 in deep.
  2. Set the posts plumb in gravel, tamped, so the tops are 60 in above the ground.
  3. Screw the 2x6 rails on the outside of the posts, six per side, with the joints on a post. The first rail is 6 in off the ground.
  4. At the far end, bolt the 2x6 sill across the posts' bases, a fixed upright to the sill, and a swing upright that pivots on a bolt.
  5. Drill the top bar for a pin. Close the gate behind the animal, then drop the bar over the swing post to hold it at the neck.

Before you start