GOATs

[Jjamesdean]

Anyone use these? Thinking about trying some this year. How do they work? Worth looking into?

 

[Stefan]

There is a thread below about packing with goats. It is an interesting read.

 

[justinspicher]

I've only used them overseas. They were really handy though and once I get some land I wouldn't mind having several for backcountry use.

 

[Jjamesdean]

Hmm... Might have to check into llamas abit too.

 

[Idaho Brad]

I have 3 young wethers that are not big enough to carry full loads yet, but I have been taking them hiking with me for almost a year and I have to say it has been quite enjoyable. They follow me anywhere I go and seem to enjoy it very much. If you are thinking you might want to go with full grown established packers you will be looking in the neighborhood of $500.00 per goat and you will have to purchase tack along with that goat which can be a couple hundred bucks for entry level saddle and inexpensive panniers. If you think you might want to raise a few it can be pretty inexpensive. I purchased mine from a small local dairy for $33.00 per goat. Dairy farms have no use for male kids other than butcher in the fall. If you were to buy kids from an established line of packers you will have to pay a little more than I did, but mine have turned out to be big, strong, eager, mountain climbers that have no problem crossing water and like to work. The biggest expense for me was fencing. My boys have a good size pasture to browse. It cost me $200.00 to feed them from September to now and could be cheaper if a person goes with a grass hay instead of alfalfa. Goats are very low maintenance and can go more places than any other pack animal, but it just requires more of them to get the job done. You don't need anything fancy to haul them around and you don't need to pack food for them when you go into the backcountry. Northwest Pack Goat Supply can help you with any specific questions you may have. Hope this helps and feel free to ask me any questions.

 

[wyosteve]

Just a curiosity question for those who use goats. How do you restrain them once in camp, or do you even have to? I'm used to big hayburners which have to be picketed or high lined. Thanks in advance.

 

[Idaho Brad]

Just a curiosity question for those who use goats. How do you restrain them once in camp, or do you even have to? I'm used to big hayburners which have to be picketed or high lined. Thanks in advance.

If they are trained well you don't have to tie them up, put their bells on and leave them loose. Or, you can set up temporary hot fence, or high line them. Not recommended to tie them to a tree, they will strip the bark off of the tree and the tree will die.

 

[wyosteve]

Thanks for the insight Id. Brad.

 

[Stefan]

My goats strip the bark off my trees anyways.