7 best livestock crates for easy animal transport

Sooner or later, every farmer has to move an animal. Whether it’s a trip to the vet, a journey to a new pasture, or bringing home new breeding stock, the moment always comes. A smooth transport day starts long before you load the animal; it starts with having the right equipment on hand. The right crate isn’t just a box—it’s a tool for safety, stress reduction, and peace of mind for both you and your livestock.

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Choosing the Right Crate for Your Livestock

The first mistake many new farmers make is thinking any container will do. A dog kennel might work for a lamb, but it’s a poor choice for a dozen chickens. The ideal crate matches the animal’s size, temperament, and species-specific needs. You need to consider ventilation, head height, and the strength of the latches. A panicked goat can make short work of a flimsy door.

Think about the logistics of your farm. Where will you store this crate? A heavy steel cage is fantastic for security but a nightmare to move and store if you’re short on space. A collapsible wire crate, on the other hand, can be tucked away easily but offers less protection and can be noisy. The material also matters immensely—plastic is easy to sanitize, aluminum is lightweight yet strong, and steel is the king of durability. Your choice should reflect not just the animal you’re moving today, but the ones you’ll be moving next year.

Inter-Coop Poultry Crate for Easy Bird Hauling

If you’re moving more than a couple of chickens, a standard poultry crate is a non-negotiable piece of equipment. These are the workhorses of poultry transport for a reason. Made from durable, high-density plastic, they are designed to be hosed down and sanitized quickly, which is critical for biosecurity between flocks. The top-loading sliding door makes it simple to place birds inside without the awkward struggle of a front-facing door.

These crates are designed for efficiency. They are stackable, with interlocking features that keep them stable in the back of a truck, and offer excellent ventilation to prevent birds from overheating on warm days. Don’t try to cram too many birds inside; a good rule of thumb is 8-10 full-sized chickens per crate, depending on their size and the weather. For anyone regularly transporting chickens, ducks, or turkeys to the processor or a sale, this is the industry standard and the right tool for the job.

Tarter Small Animal Hauler for Goats and Sheep

When you graduate from moving poultry to moving small ruminants, you need a serious upgrade in strength and security. The Tarter Small Animal Hauler is essentially a compact, durable cage designed to fit securely in the bed of a standard pickup truck. Made of heavy-gauge wire or steel, it provides containment you can trust, even with a stubborn goat or a flighty sheep.

Its key features are what set it apart for hobby farmers. Many models include a divider, allowing you to separate animals—perfect for keeping a ram from a ewe or preventing a larger goat from bullying a smaller one. The full-height swing door makes loading and unloading straightforward. This isn’t a crate you’ll be moving by yourself, but for safe, reliable transport of goats, sheep, or even calves, this hauler is an investment in preventing escapes and ensuring your animals arrive safely.

Ruff Land Kennels: A Rugged, Versatile Choice

While technically a dog kennel, the reputation of Ruff Land Kennels has made them a favorite on many farms for multi-purpose transport. Their one-piece, rotomolded construction makes them incredibly strong—strong enough to contain a determined piglet, a feisty goat kid, or valuable breeding rabbits without worry. Unlike two-piece plastic kennels that can crack or have their bolts fail, a Ruff Land is built like a small fortress.

The trade-off is the price; these are a premium option. However, their versatility makes them a smart long-term investment. You can use it for the farm dog one day and to bring home a new lamb the next. They are easy to clean, have great ventilation options, and their durability is unmatched in the plastic kennel market. If you believe in "buy it once, cry it once" and need a tough, adaptable crate for various small animals, a Ruff Land Kennel is worth every penny.

Petmate Vari Kennel: The Reliable Budget Option

Let’s be practical: not everyone needs a top-of-the-line, indestructible crate. For the hobby farmer on a budget who occasionally needs to move a small animal, the classic Petmate Vari Kennel is a solid, reliable choice. These are the ubiquitous two-piece plastic crates you see everywhere, and their popularity is a testament to their utility and affordability.

They are lightweight, easy to find, and assemble quickly with simple nuts and bolts. A Vari Kennel is perfectly adequate for transporting a sick chicken to the vet, moving a litter of bunnies, or taking a young lamb or goat on a short trip. Their weakness is their construction; a powerful or panicked animal could potentially break the plastic or pop the door. For infrequent, low-stress transport of smaller livestock, this kennel gets the job done without breaking the bank.

Sydell Aluminum Crate: Lightweight & Strong

For the farmer who moves animals regularly, the weight of a steel crate can become a real chore. This is where aluminum crates, like those from Sydell, truly shine. They offer a fantastic balance of strength and portability. An aluminum crate is significantly lighter than its steel counterpart, making it much easier for one person to handle, load, and store.

Despite being lightweight, aluminum is very strong and has the significant advantage of never rusting. This makes it a long-lasting piece of equipment that can stand up to the elements and frequent washing. These crates often come with features like removable floor pans for easy cleaning and optional dividers. If you’re looking for a professional-grade crate that’s easier on your back than steel but more durable than plastic, an aluminum model is an excellent long-term investment.

Little Giant Pet Lodge for Calves and Lambs

Transporting newborns is a special challenge. They are fragile, susceptible to drafts, and need a secure, clean environment. The Little Giant Pet Lodge (or similar calf/lamb hutches) is specifically designed for this purpose. It’s more of a small, enclosed pen than a simple crate, offering solid walls for protection from the wind and a slatted or wire floor to keep the animal clean and dry.

This type of carrier provides a safe, contained space that minimizes stress on very young animals. The heavy-duty plastic construction is seamless and easy to sanitize, which is crucial for preventing the spread of disease to vulnerable newborns. While its use is highly specific, for anyone involved in breeding and occasionally needing to transport a calf, a few lambs, or goat kids, this specialized lodge is the safest and most humane option.

MidWest Wire Crate: Collapsible & Affordable

Storage space is a premium on any farm. A major advantage of wire crates, like the popular models from MidWest, is their ability to fold down flat. When you’re not using it, it can be slid under a workbench or stood against a wall in the barn, taking up minimal space. They also offer unbeatable ventilation, which is a huge plus in hot weather.

However, there are significant tradeoffs. Wire crates can be noisy, which can add to an animal’s stress. The wire grid floor can be uncomfortable for some animals without thick bedding, and a truly determined animal might be able to bend the wires or damage the latch. A wire crate is a great choice for temporary containment, transporting calm animals, or for farmers who prioritize storage and affordability above all else.

What to Look for in a Quality Transport Crate

When you’re ready to buy, focus on the fundamentals. A good crate is an investment in safety and efficiency. Keep these key features in mind:

• Secure Latches: This is non-negotiable. Look for latches that can’t be easily nudged or bumped open by a restless animal. A simple slide bolt is often not enough for a clever goat.
• Adequate Ventilation: Animals generate a lot of heat and moisture. Poor airflow can lead to overheating and respiratory distress, especially on long or warm trips. More is almost always better.
• Durable, Non-Porous Material: The crate must be strong enough for the animal it’s holding. Materials like rotomolded plastic, steel, and aluminum are also easy to clean and sanitize, which helps prevent the spread of disease on your farm.
• Appropriate Size: The animal should have enough room to stand up and turn around comfortably, but not so much room that it can be thrown around during transit. Measure your largest animal and buy a crate that fits.
• Solid Flooring: A slick floor can cause an animal to slip and injure itself. Look for textured surfaces, grates, or plan to use thick, non-slip bedding like deep straw or wood shavings.

Final Tips for Safe Animal Transportation

Owning the right crate is only half the battle. The trip itself requires care and planning. Always secure the crate firmly in your vehicle using tie-down straps so it cannot slide, tip, or fall. A shifting crate is terrifying for an animal and dangerous for the driver.

Plan your trip to be as short and smooth as possible, avoiding travel during the hottest part of the day. Provide clean, deep bedding to absorb waste and provide cushioning. For longer journeys, ensure the animal has access to water. Most importantly, drive with the animal in mind—take turns slowly, accelerate and brake gently, and remember that your calm handling at the beginning and end of the journey will set the tone for the entire experience.

Choosing the right livestock crate is a foundational part of responsible animal husbandry. It’s a decision that impacts animal welfare, your own safety, and the overall efficiency of your farm operations. By investing in the right tool for the job, you turn a potentially stressful task into a routine, manageable part of farm life.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a livestock crate used for in animal transport?

A livestock crate is an enclosed, ventilated containment cage used to safely restrict, protect, and move individual animals or small groups during transit. Handlers use livestock crates on truck beds, trailers, or cargo planes for animals like sheep, goats, swine, and calves. Heavy-duty models feature latching swing doors, non-slip floors, and forklift pockets. Using a proper crate prevents injury from shifting during sudden stops and reduces animal stress by limiting unnecessary movement.

What does tare weight mean on a livestock transport crate?

Tare weight is the unladen weight of the empty livestock crate before any animal, bedding, feed, or equipment is placed inside. Knowing this exact figure helps haulers calculate the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) to avoid overloading a vehicle or trailer axle. For example, an aluminum hog crate might have a tare weight of 85 pounds, while an equivalent welded steel crate can weigh over 200 pounds. Always check the manufacturer’s data plate for the certified tare weight.

How do you measure an animal to choose the right size livestock crate?

Sizing a livestock crate requires measuring the animal’s total standing height, body length from snout to tail base, and shoulder width. Add two to four inches of clearance above the animal’s head or ears when standing naturally, and ensure the interior length allows the animal to lie down, stand up, and turn around comfortably. For horned livestock like Boer goats, measure the widest span between horn tips to ensure the crate door clearance prevents snagging or horn breakage during loading.

How do you secure a livestock crate in a pickup truck bed for safe transport?

Fastening a livestock crate securely requires placing it against the front bulkhead of the truck bed and anchoring it with at least four rated ratchet straps. Attach two 1,500-pound minimum working load limit (WLL) ratchet straps across the top frame and two through lower corner tie-downs connected directly to the truck bed anchor rings. Place a heavy rubber stall mat beneath the crate to stop metal-on-metal sliding and absorb road vibration. Never use elastic bungee cords, which stretch and fail under shifting animal weight.

Aluminum vs steel livestock crates: which is better for small farm transport?

Aluminum livestock crates are better for most small farms because aluminum is rust-resistant, easy to wash, and light enough for two people to lift manually. Steel crates offer higher tensile strength and withstand heavy chewing or kicking from large, aggressive stock, but steel requires painting or galvanization to stop rust from animal urine and weather. Aluminum typically costs 30 to 50 percent more upfront, but its lightweight handling and durability make it the more practical investment for hauling sheep, goats, and market hogs.

How much does a livestock crate cost for hauling small livestock?

Commercial livestock crates for small livestock generally cost between $350 and $1,800 depending on material quality, overall dimensions, and custom accessories. Basic poly-walled or wire mesh crates for poultry and small lambs start around $150 to $350. Heavy-duty aluminum or galvanized steel crates designed for adult hogs, sheep, or miniature cattle range from $600 to $1,400. Specialized transport units with built-in scale decks, guillotine doors, or forklift channels can exceed $2,200.

What is the most common ventilation mistake made with livestock transport crates?

Blocking lower ventilation slots during cold weather is the most common ventilation mistake handlers make when hauling livestock in crates. Covering ventilation holes with tarps or solid plywood traps toxic ammonia fumes, body heat, and exhaled moisture, rapidly causing respiratory distress or heat exhaustion even in freezing temperatures. Instead of closing off airflow completely, use adjustable sliding louvers or leave open vents near the roofline while providing deep dry straw bedding to keep the animals warm without suffocating them.

What safety standards apply to livestock crates used for road transport?

Federal and state transport regulations require livestock crates to provide adequate ventilation, humane spacing, escape-proof latches, and structural integrity under sudden braking. Under USDA animal welfare guidelines and state Department of Transportation rules, crates must prevent limbs from protruding through bars and keep animals upright without overcrowding. Flooring must be non-slip and leak-resistant to prevent waste from dripping onto public roadways. Cargo securement standards also require tie-downs capable of withstanding at least 0.8 g of deceleration force during transit.