Tips and tricks of goat transport
For goat breeders and buyers, summertime is one of the best times of year! Sure, it’s hot and sometimes humid, and you’re fighting flies and other pests on the farm. But it’s also the time of year that Spring babies reach weaning age and are ready for their new homes. All that anticipation and waiting comes to the best possible end when you finally get to take your new babies home.
As you likely know by now, Pygoras are a fairly rare breed and purchasing Pygoras might require significant travel to a reputable breeder. So far this year alone we’ve been to or through six states picking up or dropping off goats, managed a somewhat complicated multiple-farm delivery from the west coast, and sent babies to three more destinations. One of my customers and now goat-world friends suggested I do a blog post on all things goat transport to help advise those who might be new to this adventure.
This Pygora kid was determined to climb on the hay bag every time we stopped for a break!
I’ll start by saying that if you purchase a goat from Caney Fork Pygoras, we will deliver within a 6 hour radius of our farm for the cost of gas. We also can be available for hire for longer custom transport jobs along the east coast and through much of the South and Midwest. (Spoiler alert: custom transport isn’t inexpensive.) Reach out if you have a transport job you’d like to discuss.
In the meantime, here are a few helpful tips to help you prepare for your goat transport:
Carries, cages, trailers and more
As many goat owners will tell you, owning a truck is not required for goat transport. I have seen goats travel in just about every kind of vehicle. I once watched 12 Pygoras hop out of the back of a mini van with all the seats folded down.
If you are picking up one or two Pygora kids, the simplest way to get them home is in a large dog crate in just about any type of vehicle. When I say a large dog crate, I genuinely mean the sort that is labeled “large” at the pet store, which is typically 36 inches long. A large dog crate will work for one or two babies, unless they are particularly large. An extra large crate in the back of an SUV or truck is suitable for most yearling does or a couple of larger bucklings. If you are thinking that a 25-pound goat should fit in a small crate suitable for a 25-pound dog, you might want to think again, especially if you are traveling long distances. It’s best if the goat can stand up and turn around fairly comfortably in the kennel, although you don’t want them to have too much extra space either.
The next step up is something you will find online called a “goat tote.” This is generally a box built for the back of a pickup truck meant to haul goats or sheep. Tote prices start at almost free and end at I-could-have-bought-a-used-truck. We built one, complete with a divider and makeshift tarp roof, out of welded wire goat and sheep panels that worked for several years and cost less than $100. Now we have a sturdier one that was custom made by a former sheep farmer that we just love. It’s great to have one with a divider so you can haul both bucks and does at the same time.
Here is our goat tote in use. This custom tote came with vinyl sides that snap on to keep goats dry in the rain.
For serious goat people, or those looking to travel regularly to shows, a small trailer can be a good investment. Make sure it is made for animals and well ventilated to keep them from overheating on your journey. And again, a trailer with a divider is useful for hauling bucks and does or adults and kids.
Long Distance Transport Options
So, what if you fall in love with a breed pairing or perfect kid that is just too far away? I get it. We live here in Ohio, and there are several great Pygora breeders out on the west coast. The good news is, where there is a will (and a bit of a budget), there is a way.
There are a few family-run companies that loop the U.S. spring to summer hauling small animals of all sorts. This year we used Blarney Heights Farm Transportation to bring five Pygora kids from Oregon to Ohio and Illinois. They shared a 4x4 stall and were well cared for during a four-day journey, riding along with other goats and sheep that were headed to farms around the country.
Traveling and Goat Health
If you are thinking a four-day ride across country might be a bit stressful for anyone, including a goat, you are right. And stress can depress immunity and cause sickness in any animal.
If you are working with a reputable breeder and your goats will be traveling across state lines for delivery or pick up, they will ensure a vet provides a certificate of veterinary inspection before travel. The CVI is required by the USDA for any animal cross state lines to track and prevent the spread of disease among livestock. The breeder may pass along the cost of the vet to you, but this check also ensures your goats are in good shape before they hit the road.
Ahead of travel, I recommend preventative deworming to reduce the risk off a worm load spiking due to stress, and on your travel day I suggest vitamin B complex either as a paste or injection to boost immunity. When traveling more than three hours, it is good to take regular breaks and offer access to hay and water at rest stops to keep their rumen active.
With these simple tips in mind, your goat kids will do fine on the journey home. If you have more questions or need answers about specific goat transport challenges, feel free to contact us on Facebook and we’ll do what we can to help.