Flying Kids

[Ponker]

I purchased four lambs from Stillmeadow in New York. I can't make the trip so I hired a transport service to bring them to me. The biggest fear for me is that they didn't clean the trailer good enough and my sheep catch something on the way. The transport company came well recommended and my sheep are the only occupants of the trailer for the entire trip. Also, the contract states, no sharing of water, feed or hay with any other animals... So while the contract is pretty tight, I still worry. It's a long trip from my house to Stillmeadow in New York. 1120 miles. The trip is costing me about a dollar a mile.

It is necessary for a veterinarian to sign off for the trip. That is another cost.

Then the insurance for the animals for the trip.

So while using a transport service can be handy, it is also expensive. In addition to the headaches and worry.

One more thing, ensure you get copies of paperwork up front, like vaccinations and test results for diseases. If you're wanting a particular temperament, ensure you trust the farm/breeder will give you what you want, not simply what they have left. TRUST is a big deal when buying sight unseen.

 

[OneFineAcre]

Also has anybody every purchased from "Fields of Grace Farm" in Seiverville, TN? Did you have to make the trip to pick them up or could you use a hauler? I'm thinking about buying a buck or two from them in the Spring and between work and school it would be very hard to make a 4 hour trip up and back with a goat.

I haven't bought a goat from her, but I know her. She's really nice and has good animals. She show's with us some here in NC.

 

[babsbag]

Your TB/Brucellosis testing will probably be your biggest hassle if your vet isn't close by.

This must be for certain states. I don't have to have any test to bring them into CA. They have to have a health certificate and a permanent ID. The health cert says that they don't have Scrapies but they don't have to come from a registered disease free herd or any of that stuff. They just need to be tattooed or have an ear tag.

 

[LKM Goats]

I was about to say I'm in a TB/Brucellosis free state of that means anything?

 

[LKM Goats]

I emailed and asked and she said that I could get hauler to meet her by the exit when I'm ready to buy some goats from her. Will probably be this spring though.

 

[babsbag]

The free states might be the ones that require testing. CA does not and we are not free

 

[LKM Goats]

Possibly so. I'll holler at the local livestock vet sometime. He probably knows.

 

[LKM Goats]

Ponker, where did you get their insurance for the trip?

 

[Ponker]

I use a local agent who insures a lot of farmers and ranchers. We're a tiny operation compared to those guys so I just got a simple transport policy. Any agent who deals with livestock operations should be able to help you.

 

[LKM Goats]

Okay thank you!! I figure I can find one around here. Plenty of farmers.