Any travel tips for a 4 week old doeling?

[roohound]

Tomorrow's the day we're picking up our 4 week old Nubian/Boer mix doeling. I guesstimate her car ride will be probably just under 2 hours. I've only picked up one goat previously - he was about 8 weeks old and had about a 15 minute ride. He was fine in my lap in the backseat. I'm a little concerned over the longer distance. Should we bring a crate with us and put her in there, should I cuddle with her in the back? I guess she'll probably guide us into what she wants/needs. I have some Probios for her - should I give her that before we make our way home or will just the act of making her take meds stress her more than she should be stressed? Also, since it is such a long ride home, we were thinking of diapering her up. Again, would this be too stressful for her?

Sorry for all the questions but I've never had a little one this young and we just want to do what's best for her. Thanks in advance!

 

[Queen Mum]

I would not fuss too much. Give her a place to hang out and make sure there is a bit of air circulating in the car. Let her cuddle with you if you want, but she is better off in an enclosed carrier for safety sake. OR If you have a dog harness, put it on her and seat belt her in. She will become quite a projectile in an accident...

 

[currycomb]

agree, not too much fuss. what has been her upbringing so far? bottle baby? she should do fine in a crate with towels for padding and absorbing any wet stuff.

 

[SmallFarmGirl]

I would say ...
Keep her calm and relaxed ... If you get jumpy and nervous, she will. Animals are like that ... they pick up on us. So keep calm and try to keep a smooth ride at all times.
Sounds like you've got great advice here so far. Keep it simple and maybe give her a treat or two. I think you will be fine !!!

 

[roohound]

She's been an indoor bottle baby the last 2 weeks. I think I'm going to get her crate set up in the back seat and sit back there with her. I know she's had a bunch of attention and I know she's not going to be pleased to leave her other goat bottle baby friend (not siblings but still raised together). I feel like a new mom going through nesting syndrome - trying to make sure all is good!

 

[aggieterpkatie]

I doubt she'll even notice she was in a car.

 

[SmallFarmGirl]

You can put the crate in her barn let her get used to it ... that might help her be more comfortable ...

 

[cindyg]

We drove our newest little guy home at 3 mths, 1500 km with an overnight stop at a hotel. Had him in a crate in the back of the car with lots of hay and a tarp under neath. He was just fine, laid down the whole way .

 

[Teeah3612]

I got my Peanut (NG/Fainter cross) a month before moving to my new farm. He traveled back and forth with me to work on the farm every weekend in a cat carrier. After the first couple of times I could just put him up in the truck or car in front of the carrier and say "Hop on in." and in he would go. It was a 90 minute ride and we stopped half way to pee. Goats travel just fine. He did better than the cats when we made the final move! Only problem is, he has grown and I am going to have to get a bigger carrier.