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Basic Pygmy Goat Information
By Jeff Smith | December 21, 2007
The Pygmy Goat, a native of Africa, was imported to the United States zoos in the fifties. The small short legged, cobby
pygmy is a responsive pet, an effective brush browser, and a provider of milk.
Mature animals (2-3 years) will measure between 16 and 23 inches at the withers. Colors range from white and caramel
to grey and black — most being a salt and pepper (agouti) pattern.
HOUSING: Pygmy goats need protection from the weather. A clean dry 4 by 6 foot draft-free shed and a 10 by 20 foot
fenced yard can comfortably house two pygmies. The four or five foot high fence should be a sturdy, close mesh wire, with
posts set approx. 2 feet apart. This will keep the goats in and the dogs out. Shavings or straw should be used for bedding. An
elevated platform should be provided for sleeping, especially if there is a dirt floor.
FEEDING: Food should not be placed on the ground. Fresh water should be kept in an easy to clean container that can’t
be tipped over easily. 1 to 2 pounds of alfalfa hay or timothy and 1 cup of COB (corn,oats and barley mixture) or a specialty
goat feed, should be fed daily; preferably in two feedings. Grass hay can be used as a supplement also. Feed rations must be
adjusted to each animal. Always have a clean trace mineral salt block available, or a loose mineral supplement.
HEALTH CARE: The hooves need to be trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks to prevent hoof rot and lameness. Regular worming
(for internal parasites) needs to be done 3 to 4 times a year. Your Veterinarian can recommend an appropriate product. It
is also important to have a good relationship with your vet that knows about goats. Don’t wait until the middle of the night when
you have an emergency to meet your local vet! Dusting for lice may need to be done in the Spring and Fall. Tetnus and
Enterotoxemia (overeating disease) boosters should be given yearly.
Some plants can be poisonous to goats. Many house plants and ornamental garden plants, such as rhododendrons and azaleas
are poisonous. Pygmy goat does bear 1 to 5 kids every 9 to 12 months. The gestation period is between 145 to 155 days. New kids begin nibbling hay at about 2 weeks and are weaned by 3 or 4 months. Mature does may produce a half gallon or more of sweet, rich milk per day. Pygmy goats are very gregarious animals, and usually do better in groups of 2 or more. A doe and wether pair is a great place to start. A wether is a castrated male.
WHY PYGMIES ? Pygmy goats may be raised as 4-H projects. They make wonderful backyard or farm pets. The National Pygmy Goat Association handles the registration of pygmies, and sanctions shows through out the United States. Local information can be obtained from members of the Olympic Pygmy Goat Association or any other local club.
Topics: Basic information about pygmy goats |
April 3rd, 2008 at 6:50 am
Hello, I have pygmys and was wondering if you had any info on the feed mixture or the ratios for the Corn, Oats,and Barley?
Do you have to feed bucks or wheathers differently?
How about nursing does?
Thank you
Jennifer
April 3rd, 2008 at 7:19 am
Hello,
We just use the cob (corn,oats and barley) and mix it
with like a livestock blend you can get it at Cenex or
some other higher protein grain. Do about a 50 / 50
mix of those two.
The bucks get a little more, and not as much for the
wethers, because alot of grain can cause stones for
them.
Nursing does get about the same as the other does and
bucks.
Hope this helps,
Jeff
April 7th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
how long do they live
April 8th, 2008 at 6:34 am
Pygmy goats usually live from 10 years to 15 years or so. Maybe a little longer.
April 19th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
How do you dust for lice?
April 21st, 2008 at 6:38 am
how old do pygmy have to be before thay can be dehorned. (ele. dehorner)
April 21st, 2008 at 9:36 am
We usually dehorn them around 3 weeks old. That is using an electric dehorner.
April 21st, 2008 at 9:41 am
In reguards to your question Shannon, there are many different products to use for lice. Ivomec is good, you can use that as a pour on or as an injection. Dectomax is a pour on and works great so does Cydectin.
Hope that helps.