How to Transport a Goat

Once you have found the perfect goat, it's time to bring them home.  There are lots of ways of traveling with a goat, and there are some steps you can take to ensure that your goat has a safe and low-stress trip regardless of how far you have to go. 

A few options for transporting goats:

The bed of a pick up truck.  This works well if you have a topper and the back door secures tightly.  Or, you can put a few crates in the back if your trip is not real long.  With a topper, you can fit quite a few smaller goats and they have room to move around.

Dog Crates/Kennels are wonderful for transporting goats.  They can be placed in a small car, minivan, truck or just about anywhere to create a contained space for the goats.  These are also used for flying goats.  Choose a crate that is large enough for your goat. Be sure that the goat can stand comfortably.  You can usually fit 2 MiniNubian kids in a medium sized crate at about 2 months old.

The back of a Mini Van or SUV works very well for hauling goats.  I have hauled 4 adult goats at one time and have hauled many kids in the back of a mini van.  You can either stack dog kennels or create a secure area in the back for the goats.  Be sure that you protect the floor.  I use a tarp (taped down) with wood shavings over it.  The picture below shows a set up that carries 6 kids easily.  It would probably only work for one adult goat or maybe two miniature adults.

Trailers are great for hauling lots of adult animals.  Be sure that your vehicle is strong enough to pull the trailer as you can ruin your transmission if you tow a trailer that is too heavy for your vehicle. 

Tips

For all transport, be sure that all latches are goat proof and that there is no way for a door to come open when driving down the road.  Secure everything tightly.  Avoid drafts.  If hauling a goat in a crate in the back of an open pickup, it is good to cover it with a tarp.  Be sure to tie the tarp tightly to prevent excess flapping which can frighten your goat, adding to it's stress.

Having hay available to the goats during the travel will give them something to do as well as keep them happy.  You can do without it for a short trip, but be sure they have it if you are traveling far.  I usually stop every few hours to offer them water, but don't leave it out for them as they will spill it.

Usually, when you first start on the trip, the goat will cry for a little while and then settle down.  Some kids settle down faster than others.  My goats like it if we sing to them - quiets them down real quickly.

I like to give goats Probios before transport.  This helps the gut flora to stay balanced.

I always recommend worming a new goat when you bring them home.  Travel is stressful, and stress can give the worms a chance to get a foothold.