Since many people with goats don't have other large animals, providing transportation in a truck bed is an ideal solution that keeps you from having to invest in an expensive stock trailer or get the inside of your car dirty and smelly. In order to successfully construct a homemade goat pen for your truck bed, you should first think about several factors that will affect the containment structure, including materials, the pen design, safety issues and your goats' comfort during the ride.
Materials
The two main materials that goat owners typically use to build a homemade goat pen for a truck bed are wooden boards and metal stock panels. If you construct your homemade goat pen out of wood, use 2-by-4-inch boards for your framework; although this size board is heavier than other sizes, it provides a much more secure and sturdy option, especially if you plan on transporting your goats over long distances. The sides and top of your wooden goat pen for your truck bed can be constructed of intersecting boards, which create a cage that allows your goats to look out and get fresh air. Plywood, another option, decreases the air flow in your goat pen but also provides solid sides for your pen. According to Maggie Sayer, author of "Raising Meat Goats," enclosed pens provide more security and protection than truck bed cages, an important consideration especially if the goats you're transporting are expensive.
Stock panels with a framework of steel tubing are a very sturdy option if you know weld, but be sure to use panels with openings that are 4 inches square or smaller so horned goats can't get their heads stuck and goat kids can't escape. You can also use a combination of wood and metal, constructing the framework out of wooden 2-by-4-inch boards and using stock panels for the sides and top of your goat pen. Make sure you remember to cover the top of your homemade goat pen with a solid material, such as plywood or a strapped-down tarpaulin, to provide protection from rain and snow during traveling.
Considerations
When considering the design of your homemade goat pen, think about the size and style you want. If you only have one or two goats, then you can construct a smaller goat pen to contain your goats, which will be easier for you to move around. A portable goat pen allows you to use your truck for other jobs, but you'll need to construct it of lighter-weight materials, such as stock panel, in order to keep it from being too heavy and unwieldy for you to move. Bolting your goat pen to your truck bed is an ideal option if you transport goats frequently or if you plan to use heavier materials such as wood.
Your goats' safety and comfort are other points that you should also consider during planning and construction. Ensure that your truck bed pen has a top on it, so your goats don't jump out during transportation, and that the gate is attached securely enough that your goats won't be able to push it open. A rubber stall mat, which you can typically locate at a livestock supply store, placed in the bottom of your goat pen also gives your goats a soft, nonskid surface to stand on that will minimize falls and similar accidents during traveling.
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