Queen Mum
N.E.R.D.
I used cattle panels cut to fit over the wheel wells. I put up a plywood panel on the front to break the wind but cut some holes in it to let some wind through to decrease air resistance. Used ratcheting tiedowns to hold the whole thing in the bed. Put a piece of catte panel on the top. I held it together with rebar twist ties. I covered it with a tightly laced down tarp. The front of the tarp was held down wrapped over a 2 x 4 to keep it from flapping loose and wailing in the wind. It worked VERY WELL. I also carried 4 pieces of cut cattle panel on the top so when I stopped I could bodge together a pen for them to get out and lay on the grass. I used quick clips to hold it together. But I also took rebar ties and nippers to cut it loose in case I needed to keep them penned out for a longer time.
This is what it looked like. Mine is a bit messy, but you get the idea.
You do need to stop and let them out at rest stops either in the morning or at night so they can stretch. They will travel best at night because they sleep then, but really they will do fine in the day.
Start putting a little vinegar in their water or get some electrolyte mix to add to the water. Take several packets with you. Or premix it in a quart jar so you can pour some in at stops. It changes the taste so they will drink just about any water you give them. AND you can help in the hot areas if you buy a bag of ice and put it in a bucket with a tight fitting lid. The ice will melt and you can add it to their water to help them cool off.
Put your grain in buckets with lids and it will travel with you.
If you use the cattle panel idea, you can put a gate inset in part way and keep the grain and hay bales at the tailgate end of the truck to keep it clean. Otherwise get a hay bale bag and make sure to line it with big garbage bags. The goats can land will lay on it.
Put pelleted beding, about two bags in the bed of the truck. It can be raked up at stops to clean it and doesn't blow out of the back of the truck. Hay, straw and chips blow everywhere, regardless of what kind of top you have. If you mix straw in, with the pellets it will be better. Carry one extra bag for top offs.
Also, if you put a big tarp folded on the bed of the truck BEFORE you put down the pellets, cleaning at your destination will be MUCH easier.
Dog harnesses are easier to use with traveling goats than collars. Better control and if you need to tie them somewhere in the truck for some reason, they won't get hurt if you stop.
Get two trailer ties (horse ties) they are short and have a quick release hook on one end and a strong clip on the other. It will help you tie the animals to the truck, or wherever when you walk them or if you need to secure them in the truck when you stop or go shopping.
Most rest stops love it if your goats browse the pet areas. Most kids love it if you walk them.
This is what it looked like. Mine is a bit messy, but you get the idea.
You do need to stop and let them out at rest stops either in the morning or at night so they can stretch. They will travel best at night because they sleep then, but really they will do fine in the day.
Start putting a little vinegar in their water or get some electrolyte mix to add to the water. Take several packets with you. Or premix it in a quart jar so you can pour some in at stops. It changes the taste so they will drink just about any water you give them. AND you can help in the hot areas if you buy a bag of ice and put it in a bucket with a tight fitting lid. The ice will melt and you can add it to their water to help them cool off.
Put your grain in buckets with lids and it will travel with you.
If you use the cattle panel idea, you can put a gate inset in part way and keep the grain and hay bales at the tailgate end of the truck to keep it clean. Otherwise get a hay bale bag and make sure to line it with big garbage bags. The goats can land will lay on it.
Put pelleted beding, about two bags in the bed of the truck. It can be raked up at stops to clean it and doesn't blow out of the back of the truck. Hay, straw and chips blow everywhere, regardless of what kind of top you have. If you mix straw in, with the pellets it will be better. Carry one extra bag for top offs.
Also, if you put a big tarp folded on the bed of the truck BEFORE you put down the pellets, cleaning at your destination will be MUCH easier.
Dog harnesses are easier to use with traveling goats than collars. Better control and if you need to tie them somewhere in the truck for some reason, they won't get hurt if you stop.
Get two trailer ties (horse ties) they are short and have a quick release hook on one end and a strong clip on the other. It will help you tie the animals to the truck, or wherever when you walk them or if you need to secure them in the truck when you stop or go shopping.
Most rest stops love it if your goats browse the pet areas. Most kids love it if you walk them.
Sounds like an adventure to me. Something I would do. I would make sure ventilation holes were at the top so when they were laying down no wind would be whipping around them. I'd take a tarp to cover them with in case of rain. Getting there as fast as possible would be my way. Only stops for bathroom. Would pack food as I wouldn't let hubby stop for that either. I'd go to Subway and buy a couple subs for the cooler and something to drink for the humans. A couple books on CD and I'd be set. With two driving shouldn't really be that bad. Oh yeah gotta have my GPS, I get lost in our woods.
Good luck with the move, just do what the others have suggested and it should go well. Have your paperwork ready, have water and hay and vacs up to date and go for it. It will be over before you know it.
