Meat Goat and Sheep Trailers for Texas Operations
Texas leads the nation in meat goat production — with over 830,000 head, it's not even close. Boer goat and Spanish goat operations run across the Hill Country, South Texas brush country, and the Edwards Plateau, and Texans consume more goat meat per capita than any other state. Sheep production, particularly Rambouillet, Dorper, and Barbado crosses, rounds out a significant small ruminant industry across the same regions.
Moving goats and sheep efficiently — to the sale barn, to the packer, between pastures, or to shows — requires a trailer built right for small ruminants. The wrong trailer configuration can injure animals during transport, cost you at sale through bruising, or create regulatory problems at state lines.
Star Manufacturing builds cattle and livestock trailers in Wharton, TX sized and configured for the full range of livestock — including small ruminants that need different handling than 1,200-pound beef cattle.
Trailer Specs That Matter for Goats and Sheep
Floor Clearance and Panel Height
Goats and sheep are considerably smaller than beef cattle. Key dimensional considerations:
- Nose-to-tail length: Full-grown Boer bucks average 28–30" long; market kids are 18–22". Sheep are similar. This means you can load more animals per linear foot than cattle — but sorting panels and compartment sizing matter for stress-free transport.
- Interior height: Adult goats and sheep don't require the full 6'8"–7'6" interior height of a cattle trailer, but proper headroom prevents crowding injuries. Our standard interior heights work well for small ruminants hauled in a cattle trailer.
- Panel and gate spacing: Goat horns are a real concern — both horned and polled animals can injure themselves in trailers with large openings or protruding hardware. Discuss panel configuration with us if you're running primarily horned animals.
- Floor surface: Goats and sheep are more prone to slip-and-fall injuries than cattle. Corrugated steel or rubber mat flooring helps. We can discuss flooring options when you configure your trailer.
Density Guidelines for Goats and Sheep
| Animal Type | Weight Range | Approx. ft² per head | 14' trailer capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market goat kids (60–80 lbs) | 60–80 lbs | 2.0–2.5 ft² | 35–45 head |
| Mature does / ewes (100–150 lbs) | 100–150 lbs | 3.0–3.5 ft² | 25–30 head |
| Boer bucks / rams (200–300 lbs) | 200–300 lbs | 4.0–5.0 ft² | 18–22 head |
| Sheep market lambs (80–110 lbs) | 80–110 lbs | 2.5–3.0 ft² | 30–40 head |
Density based on USDA recommended transport space. In summer heat, reduce density 15–20% for animal welfare and to minimize shrink.
Why Small Ruminant Producers Need Quality Trailers
Bruising and Shrink
Goats and sheep are more prone to stress-related weight loss (shrink) and bruising injuries than cattle. A properly built trailer — with solid gate latches that don't rattle, smooth interior surfaces without protruding hardware, and adequate ventilation — directly affects your sale price. Bruised carcasses dock heavily at the packer. Stressed animals shrink more between ranch and sale barn.
Predator Pressure and Biosecurity
Goats and sheep loaded at auction barns or stocker operations face biosecurity risks from disease exposure. A trailer that can be thoroughly cleaned and pressure-washed between movements matters. Hot dip galvanized trailer frames have no rust pits, crevices, or paint chips that harbor pathogens — the smooth zinc surface pressure-washes clean.
Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) Requirements
Moving goats and sheep across state lines requires compliance with receiving state animal health requirements. Within Texas, TAHC regulates:
- Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) — required for interstate movement; Texas intrastate movement may also require documentation for shows and fairs
- Scrapie ID tags — federal Scrapie Eradication Program requires individual identification (official ear tags or tattoos) for sheep and goats moved in commerce
- TAHC entry requirements — goats and sheep entering Texas from other states must meet TAHC import requirements including health certificate and, for sheep, brucellosis testing from certain states
- Premises registration — Texas premises registration is required for livestock operations and simplifies movement documentation
Trailer Sizes for Goat and Sheep Operations
Most small ruminant producers in Texas run smaller trailers — a 14'–20' gooseneck or bumper pull handles the volume of a typical commercial goat operation without overloading a half-ton pickup:
- 14'–16' bumper pull — perfect for 30–50 market kids or 20–30 does; easy to pull with a 3/4-ton pickup
- 20'–24' gooseneck — handles larger commercial loads, multiple compartment sorting, or mixed goat/cattle operations
- 28'–32' gooseneck — larger commercial operations moving 100+ head per load to the packer or sale barn
Use our online quote builder to configure the right trailer for your operation, or see our livestock trailer page for standard configurations.
Built in Wharton, TX — Heart of South Texas Ranch Country
Star Manufacturing is located in Wharton, TX — just 60 miles southwest of Houston, in a county that's been ranch country since the Republic of Texas. We understand the small ruminant business because we're surrounded by it. Our trailers are built for working operations, not for show — solid construction, practical configurations, and a hot dip galvanized finish that holds up through years of sale barn runs, pasture moves, and showing season hauls.
Call us at (979) 532-1486, visit at 2507 County Rd 231, Wharton, TX 77488, or contact us online to discuss your goat or sheep operation's trailer needs. We build from 14' to 40' and can configure trailers for the specific demands of small ruminant producers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I haul goats in a standard cattle trailer from Star Manufacturing?
Yes — our standard livestock trailers work well for goats and sheep. The main considerations are panel spacing (to prevent horn entrapment), floor surface (for traction), and proper loading density for smaller animals. Talk to us about configuration options when you order.
What size trailer do I need for 50 market goat kids?
Market goat kids at 60–80 lbs need about 2–2.5 square feet each. A 14' trailer with 7' interior width (98 sq ft of floor space) handles 40–50 kids comfortably. A 16' trailer gives you more room in summer heat when you want lower density.
Do I need a CDL to haul goats to the sale barn?
In most cases, no. A standard Class C driver's license covers operation of vehicles under 26,001 lbs GVWR. Most goat producers running a 3/4-ton or 1-ton pickup with a bumper pull or small gooseneck trailer are well under CDL thresholds. For larger gooseneck trailers, check your combined vehicle weight.
Does Star Manufacturing build trailers specifically for small ruminants?
We build configurable livestock trailers. While our primary market is cattle, our trailers work well for goats and sheep with appropriate configuration choices. Call us to discuss panel spacing, floor options, and compartment layout for your operation.