How safe is it to transport a bred doe?

xoxoGOATSxoxo · #1 01/10/09, 07:59 PM

Heres the thing. Someone wants me to help with a petting zoo; they want me to bring goats.

But my goats are all bred, and I never transported bred does before. If I did decide to bring any, it would be two who are a little over a month-and-a-half pregnant.

There wouldnt be any other goats there.

It'd be for two hours, in the mall, which is only about a 15 minute drive. I'd transport them in the back of the van, so no cold wind on them or snow on the way there.

I'd love to help out, but I dont know how safe this is for momma goats. If you guys think it'd be too stressfull on them or unneccesary, I wont take them.

Soooo..... whaddaya think?

goatkid · #2 01/10/09, 08:05 PM

I personally wouldn't take my pregnant does to a petting zoo situation. It's too stressful for any goat and I wouldn't want to risk the pregnancy. It's not the transportation that would concern me so much as having a bunch of strangers handle them and possibly feed them things they aren't used to eating. While I do take my goats to shows, I don't take pregnant ones or newborn kids.

sadie6447 · #3 01/10/09, 08:05 PM

When I decided to get a herd of goats I went to pick them up and surprise there were trips layin there so I waited until the next day to give them a chance to bond. The day I went to pick them up the second time we were good to go. They were all heavy bred. I had no problems with transporting them and the next day another set of twins and a set of trips. all healthy babies. then about 3 days later some more. Never lost a baby because of transportation. I would think you are good to go!!

KimM · #4 01/10/09, 08:18 PM

Ditto. I wouldn't take the chance either, it wouldn't be worth it to me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by goatkid

I personally wouldn't take my pregnant does to a petting zoo situation. It's too stressful for any goat and I wouldn't want to risk the pregnancy. It's not the transportation that would concern me so much as having a bunch of strangers handle them and possibly feed them things they aren't used to eating. While I do take my goats to shows, I don't take pregnant ones or newborn kids.

PurpleMartineer · #5 01/10/09, 08:30 PM

I wouldnt do it. Too much stress.

I brought my saanen doe home about one month ago when she was around 2.5 mos along. We lifted her into the back of my pickup truck and all seemed fine in that regard. I thought I would see her give birth in the rear view on the way home. She had a string of bloody mucous hanging out of her--just a small amount. I was nervous about her condition for a few days after while she settled in. She's fine now. I see babies rolling in there occassionally so I assume all is well. But given the chance I would have preferred to move her earlier and only if necessary. It was a stressful move for her and for me.

reicheru · #6 01/10/09, 08:37 PM

I'd say that it depends on the personality of the goat. Dorkwad likes going places and doesn't have a problem with strangers. I suspect Libby, Babs, PITA and M'Lynn would be the same way. But I'd never put Dixie or Whiskey Girl in that situation.

xoxoGOATSxoxo · #7 01/10/09, 08:50 PM

Well, they are both sweethearts.

At shows, one of them in constantly at the the fence begging for attention. The other is more reseved, but friendly all the same. Its not so much a problem as stressing them because of the attention, just the car ride and possible exposure to bacteria or whatever.

So I think that's a probable "no".... I'd rather the mommas and babies be safe.

xoxoGOATSxoxo · #8 01/10/09, 08:51 PM

Wait..... you have a goat named "Dorkwad"? Thats funny!

HappyFarmer · #9 01/10/09, 08:54 PM

I personally wouldn't do it but that is for very different reasons having nothing to do with the pregnancy.

I do agree with Reishero. It depends on your goats. Are they routinly moved around? Are they sociable animals? About 1/2 my herd is very sociable to people, the other half (purchased goats) are scared to death. All of my goats get shuffled from pen to pasture, barn to shed, pasture to backlawn, you name it we've done it. If I was considering doing a petting zoo, I would choose the sociable animals who are used to being shuffled. As long as they have hay, water, shelter of sorts, & a companion, they should be fine. The unsocialized group, well, I don't think theyd fare very well & they'd be far too stressed.

I would not do it if they were 3 1//2 to 4 months along.
HF

ozark_jewels · #10 01/10/09, 09:42 PM

I have never had a doe abort because of transporting her. But a petting zoo is not just transporting. I would not stress the does this way when they are pregnant.

reicheru · #11 01/11/09, 12:49 AM

hahahaha her real name is Scarlet... but that's only when she's being good.