packing goats?

[Birchhatchery]

i really dont move very fast at all hunting as we walk alot so a normal walk is bout all i do. i was hopin a pygmy could carry what i want and do what i want ive had em in the passed years ago and their smart i think they could culd keep up with me just be cheapier to feed and less room than couple dairy size goats would be but if i have to im goin to buy a dairy size im not lookin to get a cuple goats untile spring no sense in startin to train goats in 20 degree weather and snow

also would it be best to teach it to lead with a halter or a collar and leash type deal?

 

[Emmetts Dairy]

Halter is best! Same as sheep halter..that always worked for me. And its always a good idea to have a good relationship with the goat you want to do work for you. They can be stubborn. If they dont want to...they wont!

Just a bit of info...goats are not always cheap. If you want them to work well you need to keep them healthy. Which will include worming, vacinations, good feed etc etc etc....important to keep them in good shape when you have expectations of using them to haul.

 

[freemotion]

There are a bazillion cross-bred goats out there, too, so anything is possible. You could get a couple of bottle babies and teach them right from the moment you get them, pretty much. Bottle fed by you, they'd be very attached and willing to follow you anywhere. You could feed them near the dogs and with a recording of a hunt playing. You could teach them to lead starting at a few days old.

 

[Birchhatchery]

amsome but i dont have time to bottle feed i work 10 hr days so i want one just started on grain/hay

 

[freemotion]

You need two as they are herd animals and don't do well at all if alone. Do you have someone to bottle feed when you are at work? They go onto three bottles, then two bottles fairly quickly, then are weaned by 2-3 months. A bottle-fed goat will do anything for you. But you also might find one that is weaned that someone else bottle fed. I'd sell you a couple in the spring!

 

[Birchhatchery]

no i dont have time or anyone to bottle feed so i need to get one just weend and on grain/hay

 

[Birchhatchery]

i plan to get 2 goats just dont no what breed yet? also i hear most people use weathers for packing What about a buck? if i have no does around will a buck just be to stubborn and to hard to handle? Horns Or No horns?

 

[Emmetts Dairy]

i plan to get 2 goats just dont no what breed yet? also i hear most people use weathers for packing What about a buck? if i have no does around will a buck just be to stubborn and to hard to handle? Horns Or No horns?

I wouldnt get a buck...not for hunting...a buck is for breeding purposes, in my opinion. First, when in rut...they stick to high heavens!! And everything in the woods for miles would smell you coming!! LOL
And they our tough to handle when in rut. They have one thing on thier minds and there is no changin that!! I have seen them do some amazing things to get to the girls...They can also be agressive when in rut and depending on size and breed it might not be good. I make sure my guy has everything he needs done to him before he goes into rut...because I have a larger breed and I only deal with him in rut for feed and "have to's" cuz hes kinda insane!! LOL Wethers all the way for what you wanna do with them!!

 

[Birchhatchery]

sounds good

 

[Cadillac Jill]

My husband has been working to build a chicken coop in the goat yard. He is using a Paslode Nail Gun, and it's VERY loud. We've been amazed that our two Toggenburg does do not react to the noise at all. In fact, he's barely able to keep them from under foot (or from inside the coop) while he's actually nailing.

I don't know if we just got lucky, but ours are very even tempered, and they stay right with us when we go for walks. If I needed pack animals for hunting, I'd definitely consider Toggenburgs.