Chat
05-22-2023, 05:50 PM
Hello and welcome to the forum! You posted in the correct section. :-)
Lots of people have just two packgoats! In fact, it can be quite ideal. There's no reason at all why you need a full string in order to pack. Two can't carry as much as a full string of course, but they can still carry a substantial amount more than no goats at all! Phil and I have often had just two goats–one for each of us. A full-grown goat can carry up to 50 lbs. on an all-day hike which is a substantial amount of gear.
I agree that goats are far more interesting than llamas. I'm sure llamas have their place, but they do not like people and they would typically rather be anywhere except with you, which can make hiking and camping with them rather interesting if any get loose (ask me how I know!). The best thing about goats is that they love to be with people and unless there are some pretty intense extenuating circumstances, a well-bonded goat is difficult to lose on the trail.
As far as herd dynamics, two goats is a pretty ideal situation as long as they like each other. It can be hard if one goat is extremely dominant over the other, but usually two goats enjoy each other's company and end up being very good buddies. Separating them from each other can be a problem so you have to work on that if you ever plan to take just one. Two goats are much easier to control and keep track of on the trail. It can be hard to gather and control six goats if a dog startles them, but if you only have two goats you can control them both by yourself since you likely have two hands. My husband actually refuses to deal with more than two goats at a time because he's not good at juggling leashes. It's also much easier to house and feed and transport two goats than an entire herd.
Lots of people have just two packgoats! In fact, it can be quite ideal. There's no reason at all why you need a full string in order to pack. Two can't carry as much as a full string of course, but they can still carry a substantial amount more than no goats at all! Phil and I have often had just two goats–one for each of us. A full-grown goat can carry up to 50 lbs. on an all-day hike which is a substantial amount of gear.
I agree that goats are far more interesting than llamas. I'm sure llamas have their place, but they do not like people and they would typically rather be anywhere except with you, which can make hiking and camping with them rather interesting if any get loose (ask me how I know!). The best thing about goats is that they love to be with people and unless there are some pretty intense extenuating circumstances, a well-bonded goat is difficult to lose on the trail.
As far as herd dynamics, two goats is a pretty ideal situation as long as they like each other. It can be hard if one goat is extremely dominant over the other, but usually two goats enjoy each other's company and end up being very good buddies. Separating them from each other can be a problem so you have to work on that if you ever plan to take just one. Two goats are much easier to control and keep track of on the trail. It can be hard to gather and control six goats if a dog startles them, but if you only have two goats you can control them both by yourself since you likely have two hands. My husband actually refuses to deal with more than two goats at a time because he's not good at juggling leashes. It's also much easier to house and feed and transport two goats than an entire herd.