PYGMY GOAT

The Pygmy

The Pygmy Goat is hardy, alert and animated, good-natured and gregarious; a docile, responsive pet, a cooperative provider of milk, and an ecologically effective browser. The Pygmy goat is an asset in a wide variety of settings, and can adapt to virtually all climates.

Pygmy goats are precocious breeders, bearing one to four young every nine to twelve months after a five month gestation period. Does are usually bred for the first time at about twelve to eighteen months, although they may conceive as early as two months if care is not taken to separate them early from bucklings. Newborn kids will nurse almost immediately, begin eating grain and roughage within a week, and are weaned by three months of age.

Feeding and housing requirements for Pygmy goats are modest: a draft free 8' x 10' shed furnished with elevated sleeping and feeding places will accommodate four adult animals. An attached outside enclosure with at least 4' high fencing will provide the fresh air and exercise these active, fun-loving goats need. They are very sociable and are happier in a herd atmosphere or with another goat as a friend.  A basic diet of roughage in the form of legume and grass hay, bark, brush, and dry leaves [may need] to be supplemented.

1

Know what you are signing up for. Pygmy goats can live for 8 to 12 years on average, and if you take care of them really well, they can sometimes live up to 15 years or more! They are definitely a long-term commitment, so make sure that you're ready to take on a Pygmy Goat before getting one.

Provide an adequate space for it to live in. Your goat will need a shelter to protect him or her from wild animals and bad weather. Barn stalls are a great idea, or you could build a small shelter for your goat. You will need a big backyard so that your goat has enough room to run around in. Your backyard should also have plenty of grass and small plants (ie. clover) for it to nibble on. Make sure that you have a fence surrounding your Pygmy's shelter to protect it.

• Be sure to use the right type of fencing for them. The 48" cattle wire is a good choice of fencing, because it will last longer than most cheap ones, and will keep your goat in.
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   A buck
  Male goats, or bucks, should be in a separate pen, unless you would like your female goats to produce babies.

Feed them the correct type and amount of food. Each pygmy goat should have 1/4 cup of grain fed 2 times daily. The grains should be off the ground (ie. in a trough) to keep the goats from spoiling the grains. Make sure to have grains like oats, corn, sweet feed, goat ration, and a salt lick available for your goats. Doing so will ensure that your Pygmy goat gets plenty of vitamins and minerals, to improve its health and lifespan.

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   Alfalfa.
  Feed them Alfalfa. Alfalfa, or grass hay, has an amazing excellence in vitamins! Place the hay in a hay trough.

1. Be sure they are kept hydrated. Pygmy goats need fresh water available to them at all times. It should be in a bucket located off the ground, but not so high that it is hard to reach.

Maintain their health. Make sure your Pygmy goat has shots to protect it from diseases. Pygmy goats should have vaccinations that cover Enterotoxemia, Tetanus, and worms to protect them. These vaccinations should be given annually.

Provide regular hoof care. Pygmy goats need their hoofs trimmed every 2 months, or as needed.

Give them places to play. Pygmy goats love to play, so get them high objects that they can climb on. Good examples are large rocks and boulders, large tree stumps, trees, benches, and/or picnic tables. Pygmy goats cannot be bored!

Provide your goat with a partner. Pygmy goats like to be with other goats, so it's best to have a minimum of two goats of the same gender, as they love to be together.