Pack Llamas vs Pack Goats

[vandeman17]

I will start out by saying I am still in the research stage and this idea is also just that, an idea, but wanted to solicit feedback. We recently moved into a place on 3 acres that we are going to set up for our two horses. There is already a place that the previous owner used as a huge chicken run that would be perfect for a couple goats. I can't decide which direction I would go if I decided to grab a few. The idea would be almost exclusively for pack animals in the fall. Thoughts?

[ghosthunter]

I have no experience with either.

I found a pack goat who had got loose three years ago. I knew what it was when it came down the road at me,stuck its head right in the truck window. We talked a bit and drove up the road the direction it came.
The goat followed right along. Found the father of the guy who owned the goat. He was cussing the critter.

I have done quite a bit of reading on them and if I were younger and single I would get some goats.

There are some guys on here that run them.

Also check out Facebook Pack goats.

I think they have to be four years old to pack 25% of their weight?

[vandeman17]

Right now I am leaning toward pack goats because we have an area already pretty perfect for them. Just would add some fence height and a covered area. I like the idea of being able to easily tote them around and they go anywhere.

[mburrows]

Hunted with llamas once a few years ago and they were great. Easy to care for while you're hunting. Stake em out and move them every couple days. Gave them a scoop of pellets each night but  other than that they largely took care of themselves.

[CarbonHunter]

Pack goats have been the target of bans lately but I haven’t heard about bans for lamas yet. Not sure where you plan on using them but I would definitely check to make sure whatever you choose is not at risk of a ban in the area you plan on using them.

[tracksoup]

I’ve had both. Goats have worked better for us.

[seth30]

Goats all the way.  I dont need to drag them along, and they wont lay down out of laziness or run back to the trail head.  I run a pack string, and if you find yourself out on the wet side hit me up.  We do between 600-1000 miles each year.  Got four new kids(baby goats) in training.  We run between 4 to 6 on each trip. 

[trophyhunt]

Do the goats take care of themselves as far as water and feed? 

[huntnnw]

Do the goats take care of themselves as far as water and feed?

Yes, another big advantage to using goats is the ability to get them to trails where you can’t get a trailer into

[vandeman17]

Goats all the way.  I dont need to drag them along, and they wont lay down out of laziness or run back to the trail head.  I run a pack string, and if you find yourself out on the wet side hit me up.  We do between 600-1000 miles each year.  Got four new kids(baby goats) in training.  We run between 4 to 6 on each trip.

Will do I appreciate it.

Part of the reason I am leaning towards goats is that they also need less overall space at our house which would be nice. We will have our two horses out on pasture and if there were a couple llamas as well, not only is that a lot of competition of the feed but that is a lot of poop to clean up!

I only have experience going in with horses/mules and the intent is to be able to bring whatever I end up with to the different states I hunt so that I can pack in a little more comfortable camp than what just fits in a backpack. It will also be nice to have them help pack out any meat when needed.

[highside74]

Goats are also way less susceptible to sickness and or death. It would suck to lose any animal but llamas are expensive

[Shannon]

I do not have any experience with goats. I had llamas for a decade. They were super easy keepers and super cheap. I have 2 1/2 acres so not a lot of land. They couldn't keep the grass down and they poop in the same spot every time. I just trimmed their hooves twice a year myself. Super easy process. They also needed to be dewormed twice a year. That was easy. I only had to feed them one bale of hay on average per year. To say llamas are expensive I do not feel is even remotely accurate. If you do get llamas I have a bunch of pack saddles and paniers still that I'd give to the right person.

[vandeman17]

I do not have any experience with goats. I had llamas for a decade. They were super easy keepers and super cheap. I have 2 1/2 acres so not a lot of land. They couldn't keep the grass down and they poop in the same spot every time. I just trimmed their hooves twice a year myself. Super easy process. They also needed to be dewormed twice a year. That was easy. I only had to feed them one bale of hay on average per year. To say llamas are expensive I do not feel is even remotely accurate. If you do get llamas I have a bunch of pack saddles and paniers still that I'd give to the right person.

Great information and awesome offer. I grew up on a few acres and we boarded a couple llamas a handful of summers and I still remember the first summer we did when I saw that they poop in one spot. I was amazed but it was also nice compared to our couple sheep that covered the entire pasture

[bachto]

I have goats and looked into llamas pretty heavy. It came down to the fact that I couldn't afford to pay $3000 - $5000 EACH for a decent pack llama. I love my goats and they are super easy to take care of in the back country. The only thing I find annoying is they must go with you every where. Do not leave them alone. Just like any working animal, be picky on who you get them from.

[Tiger01]

I own llamas, absolutely love them.  One thing to look at is the longevity of pack goats vs llamas and amount of weight each can carry.  I almost went goats initially, but longevity, amount they can carry, and goats being limited/outlawed in some areas ultimately swayed me to llamas.  Couldn't be happier with what they've done for myself and my family.

[300rum]

Just get yourself a mini mule or a small full size mule.  You can find them cheap, they will last forever and you can still lead them behind your horses if you want.

[actionshooter]

 Do a search on here for packgoats, there are a bunch of threads on here that gives a ton of info/feedback, we ran them for many years and just recently got out.  Keep in mind that the state and feds are really starting to limit where you can use anything but horses.

[huntnnw]

I own llamas, absolutely love them.  One thing to look at is the longevity of pack goats vs llamas and amount of weight each can carry.  I almost went goats initially, but longevity, amount they can carry, and goats being limited/outlawed in some areas ultimately swayed me to llamas.  Couldn't be happier with what they've done for myself and my family.

But you have to pack feed up for llamas and  gotta trailer them. A pack goat can pack more per lb of weight than all stock animals.

[Seabass]

I just spent a week bear hunting with some goats…not mine but my buddy’s. They were amazing. So simple and easy to deal with. They are ridiculously athletic and dealt with dead fall and other obstacles with ease. Water crossings could be a little challenging with them depending on depth but I was thoroughly impressed and ready to get a few😀.

We did 8 days and the guys with the goats ate way better than the two of us with everything on our backs!

[Seabass]

They were also fun to have around during the downtime.

[Tiger01]

I own llamas, absolutely love them.  One thing to look at is the longevity of pack goats vs llamas and amount of weight each can carry.  I almost went goats initially, but longevity, amount they can carry, and goats being limited/outlawed in some areas ultimately swayed me to llamas.  Couldn't be happier with what they've done for myself and my family.

But you have to pack feed up for llamas and  gotta trailer them. A pack goat can pack more per lb of weight than all stock animals.

Depends on where you are going and the quality of feed, but it’s minimal usually.  About 1 pound per day per llama, which is nothing in the grand scheme of things.  If you have a rack you can fit 2 or 3 llamas in the back of a pickup easy, no trailer needed.  Yes, goats can pack more per pound, but they’re also the lightest pack animals out there which equates to the lightest loads.  Like I said, I almost went goats, just a few things swayed me to llamas and I couldn’t be happier.  I have multiple friends with goats and they love them.  With limited space at home goats is probably the way to go for sure. 

[2MANY]

You guys should pack labs.
No trailer needed, will protect you in camp, and better at finding grouse.
Or
Simply buy a mule, put a goat and their pack on each side, and head to camp.