Is a 5 hour drive worth it?

I've driven 3 hours one way to get our first Nubians. I had no options. There were no other kids anywhere around closer.
I would put them in a kennel in the back though. I would have them loose - lol!

If the genetics will improve your herd the drive would be worth it, plus the genetic diversity and uniqueness to the area is value added.

Having said that, the farthest we've driven is 2.5 hours to pick up a goat, but time is limited for us.

We've progressed to flying them. Yes, it can be expensive, but if you buy from CLA, CAE, and Johnes' tested herd (TB & Brucellosis at the time were mandatory), you have a solid investment for the money, provided you choose the genetics/look/output(milk) traits you desire.

If you have the time, go for it. As a matter of fact, I'd get 2 or more unrelated goats since so much effort is going into the trip. Plan some sightseeing enroute prior to picking them up.
HF

I will hopefully be making a trip at south Texas around 7 or 8 hours one way to pick up a buck, it is worth it to me to have the genetics. I have even got a farm sitter on call and made my hubby go to work sick twice lately as he may need to take a day off for the trip, and the ONLY vacation we have ever had ALONE was 1 night in a B & B for our honeymoon had to be at work the next evening, so hopefully can have a mirco vacation if I can get a babysitter.

Yep! Road trip!!! I drove 4 hrs to get a rabbit once and we have driven 5 hrs, had a cup of coffee and driven back

I drove 9 hours to get two goats and put them in my van! It was worth it! LOL

Ok well road sounds like a road trip. Talked to her about putting the little buck in with the buck I have now (Cletus really needs a friend in his pen) but she doesn't think that would be a good idea. Amron is 5 months old and Cletus is around 1 yr old I think, Cletus isnt a mean buck and he is on the smaller size, but Amron is naturally polled. I guess the question is can I put them in together or can I put together a pen right next to Cletus's pen and they both be happy?
Definitely going to get the nanny and actually she has 2 to choose from same age, both have been hand milked. Neither are related to Amron. Also Inga is a little bigger than Helga and she said Inga give a little more milk. Am also leaning strongly towards Inga since she is already bred to a blue eyed/polled buck :banana02:

Inga or

Helga
this is a picture of Amron when he was a few weeks old

I really want to get them both. I am thinking both of them will be great for what I am wanting to do.

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Yepe!! A Road trip,,,I LOVE them,,,went about 600 miles rd trip to get a Reg,Light Grey Flemish Giant 15mo old buck rabbit..Funny one wife & i did was in 1997 we had a new Escort SW,,delt with a farm in SE Ohio for a spotted Nubian Reg,,buckling out of great milking blood line,,,took a folding dog crate,,,sounds good Wrong! 640 miles one way,,when we got there lady offered me his spotted mother 3 years old,,& another spotted Reg doeling,,,at to good to refuse deal,,so here we go 2 kids & a doe,,,had a new tarp lined the back with it,,& home we went,,,talk about horns blowing,every one pointed and laughed as they went by,,,but loved every min. of it...Yes take the rd. trip...Ron

If you want them, go and get them :+) In March of 2009 we drove some 23 hours ONE way to pick up my $700 buckling and $600 doeling...And I would do it 3 more times for them lol. I'm so happy we made the trip...infact we may be making it again this spring, i don't care for being on the road, but the end result is worth it.

Susanne - your trip was just a bit longer than mine, but the same sort of trip - mine was WI to ID. Do you plan to make the MI to OR trip again ?

Yup seems I have been infected by the goat people. I suppose in another 6 months I might consider a drive to Texas for a goat to be normal. LOL And yeah my sister's think I have gone bonkers, but they never really did get me anyways. I love you guys!

Ok got a lot of work and planning to do to get ready for them by Sunday. I would go get em right now but darn job is in the way. lol

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UMMMM, Where are they? Anywhere near SE Iowa?..... Just sayin.....

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NOPE NOPE not saying!!

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Glad to know that I'm not the only one that does road trips for animals!! Seems like everything I find that I like is always hours away, never in my own back yard. If you find something you like, make the trip. You will be glad you did.
Also those are good prices for Nigerians. Where I'm from (Texas) they go for lots more.
Good luck and let us know what you decide.
Julie

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Knowing Cletus, they'll probably just give each other "piggy back rides" most of the time. I don't see any harm in putting them together, or at least trying it out. Cletus really is a sweet little soul.

As for the travel, we drove further than that for our goats. Over 7 hours down to Ozark Mountain Jewels, and it was worth every minute on the road.

If you have the $, I'll jump on the "ROAD TRIP!" bandwagon.

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