Pygmy goats are native to west africa and were brought to the united states in. The online herdbook is available to npga members for a small fee. Both nigerian dwarfs and pygmy goats produce 1 quart to twothirds of a gallon daily during lactation cycles. Usually cheaper than more traditional milking goats such as the lamancha, you can find pygmy goats for relatively cheap. Both pygmy and nigerian dwarf goats produce milk that is rich in butterfat, giving the milk a sweet taste. The pygmy goat is hardy, alert and animated, goodnatured and gregarious. And as we learned, some folks keep pygmy goats just as pets. Striving for structurally correct, eyecatching, easykidding animals. For the rest of the owners, this breed of goats is kept as family pets due totheir cuddly and playful bearing. In terms of how to raise pygmy goats, thefirst thing you should consider is their place of abode. Pygmy goats give birth to 2 4 kids after every 9 to 12 months. This book covers all the subjects including how choosing your goats, how to take care of the goat. Pygmy goats are a popular animal raised on farms for a reason.
But they are herd animal like other goats for company, and you have to keep at least two pygmies together. Known for their small size and outgoing personalities, pygmy goats are now kept as. They love to eat leaves, brush and other small shrubs and trees. If theres anything more fun than a box of puppies, its a pen full of pygmies. We included mostly picture books with a few nonfiction titles thrown in for good measure.
Although you will get different views from different people about raising pygmy goats as pets. Guide to keeping pygmy goats things you should know if. Like the nigerian dwarf, it derives from the west african dwarf group of breeds of west africa 355. With their playful temperaments and small, compact size, it is no surprise that pygmy goats are often sought after as pets. Facts about the pygmy goat a picture book for kids, vol 144 by lisa strattin aug 20, 2016. But in africa, they are raised for meat production.
Pygmy goats always want sufficient space to run around and to jump. Producing and selling top quality pygmy goats focusing on hand raised bottle babies for the ultimate family pet, and breeding stock to fit any need. Breeders of npga registered pygmy goats for show, 4h or pets. Similar forms are found throughout northern and southwestern africa. If your mother goat is very friendly with humans, then the baby should be just as friendly, assuming youre. Unlike the usually domesticated animals, keeping pygmy goats as pets is a very unique experience. Amber waves bearded silkies and african pygmy goats genbook. When we heard that our pals family farm had just acquired three baby pygmy goats easily one of the top ten cutest animals of all time, we set out to meet them asap. The june board of directors meeting will be held virtually through zoom on june 6th at 8. Her research led her to decide on pygmy goats, a small breed that is raised primarily for meat. Raising pygmy goats as pets is a good idea, they make excellent pets. Established in 1982 amber waves is an international known breeder, exporter, and specialist of pygmy goats. They want to play and climb and never like to be caged or tethered. If you think you can handle raising a pygmy goat, know that they make really good pets and they are fun to own.
Their scientific name capra aegagrus hircus comes from the latin words meaning shegoat capra and hegoat hircus. A breed society the pygmy goat club was formed, and a herdbook started. Thankfully, our little goats are actually too small for our billy goat to breed with now that he is full grown. You can supplement the standard goat chow that you will get in the market with grass hay. Pygmy goats are the tiniest goats in the world and their fluffiness will melt your little heart. The breed society is not among those approved by the department for. He has bred our pygmy once in the past when he was still young. An adult pygmy goat weights about 75 pounds and stand about 16 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder. The american pygmy is an american breed of achondroplastic goat.
For raising pygmy goats as pets, you have to provide them nutritious foods according to their daily demands. Miniature african pygmy goats tanglewood farm miniatures. It has its own registration and pedigree system aimed at improvement by selective breeding. Contact secretary jane coneybeer for more information the 2020 npga convention has been postponed. Unlike domestic goats, which are usually kept as utility animals ie, used for their milk and, perish the thought, their meat, the pygmy is kept for. The miniature african pygmy goat originated from the forest districts of west and central africa. Book an appointment online with amber waves bearded silkies and african pygmy goats in norco, california. Capra hircuspygmy goats are a small breed of domestic goat. The pygmy goat club has set breed standards regarding size and type, and organises show classes for pygmy goats. A really popular reason to own goats of any breed is for land clean up. Raising pygmy goats 4 basic guidelines to help you take care of pygmy goats often, people assume that raising pygmy goats would be an arduous task. How to raise pygmy goats simple steps for beginners.
Dori lowell is the business manager for the national pygmy goat association and has 60 of the animals herself. Pygmy goats are very popular as pets mainly for their small size and very friendly nature. The miniature goats are highly energetic as well as playful irrespective of their smaller size. Raising pygmy goats doesnt differ much from fullsize goats, except their basic needs are on a smaller scale. Pygmy goats are native to cameroon valley of west africa. Pygmy goat accommodation below is a selection of photos of henry and joeys shed click them to enlarge and scroll through. They enjoy climbing on rocks, tree branches, raised platforms and tables. We have 3 larger goats that are a part of our herd. They can be found in white caramel, medium caramel and dark red caramel.
Guide for raising pygmy goats modern farming methods. Management and veterinary care by boldrick dvm, lorrie, hale, lydia isbn. Raising, breeding, keeping, milking, food, care, health and where. A decentsized, ventilated, waterpoof and comfortable shed is essential for goats as its where they go to eat hay, lick a saltmineral lick, drink water, chew the cud, shelter from the rain, sleep and relax henry and joeys shed measured 10ft wide, 10ft deep and 6. Inaddition, even their meat is being sold for extra income. Some pygmy goats can also be silverlight gray agouti, medium gray agouti, dark gray. Nigerian dwarfs breed once a year, like fullsize dairy goats, and can.
Raising goats for dummies provides you with an introduction to all aspects of owning, caring for, and the daytoday benefits of raising goats. Guide to keeping pygmy goats things you should know if you plan to raise pygmy goats as pets pygmy goats may be as sweet as cats, but they are definitely more interesting. If you decide to raise pygmies as pets, there are some things that you should be aware of. However, it worked out just fine and our pygmy was a great. Pygmy goats are part of class mammalia and are a domestic breed originating from the cameroon region of west africa. They are versatile and can be used to clear land, provide milk and in some cases, provide meat. International goat day is coming up in june and to do our share in learning more about this littleunderstood animal no, goats do not eat tin cans, they are actually very intelligent we have gathered the best books about goats we could find. Raising pygmy goats pygmy goats are adaptable to a variety of weather conditions and are a lowmaintenance animal. Pygmy goats pros and cons, daily care, milking, health, training and costs. This book has been a longtime undertaking, and the pages herein are a compilation of experiences and expertise gained over twentyfive years of owning and caring for pygmy goats.
An introductory guide to keeping and enjoying pet goats pygmy goat basic owners manual. Raising pygmy goats as pets modern farming methods. Pygmy goats care, housing, interacting, feeding and health. As fate would have it, a friend happened to know someone who breeds pygmy goats. The first question you would want to ask yourself is. Since there are very few livestock auctions that still allow the sale of goats, most buying and selling is done facetoface which means that the price you pay will depend greatly on who you are dealing with and where you live. Pygmy goats actually originate from africa, where they were primarily bred for meat. That is solely because different people look for different things in. Raising pygmy goats 4 basic guidelines to help you take. However, since goats are deemed livestock, you must check with your homeowners association. Nigerian and pygmy goats are as friendly as their mother is, so if youd like a more friendly goat, id recommend bottle feeding instead of letting the mother raise. These little goats make good, if mischievous, pets. Raising pygmy goats as pets and for farming purposes is quite popular these days. Miniature goats need to be bred with other miniature goats.
The pygmy goat measures under 22 inches tall at the withers. Pet pygmy goat s feed is slightly different than that of commercial goat feeding system. Adult pygmy goats are about the size of a mediumsized dog, and are a nice fit for owners with limited space. Known to be sociable and friendly, their small size makes them easier to care for than larger goat breeds, because they require less space and less feed. Pygmy goats have been developed by europeans and americans from the landrace west african dwarf goat of central and west africa, particularly the cameroon valley. The west african dwarf is raised as dairy and meat goats by rural families and are valued for their prolific breeding potential and. Breaking down the complicated process of choosing and purchasing the right goat breed to meet your needs and getting facilities for your goat set up. Males and females pygmy goat pets nigerian dwarf goats tiny baby goats a home for a pygmy goat caring for pygmy goats useful companions pygmy goat gardeners pygmy goats give milk at the showground test your knowledge. There are additional costs that may need to be covered to make sure your housefarm is ready to take on this new animal.
Remember, pygmy goats are livestock and still have some characteristics that you may need to really consider. There are two types of pygmy goats that are sold in the us. I cant emphasize enough how terrible this really is. Consult a veterinarian for an authentic breeding advice. They consider this breed rather dainty and frail, but that is actually the farthest thing from the truth. However, read more about how to raise pygmy goats, including their feeding, housing, fencing, disbudding etc. Friendly pygmy goats where do pygmy goats come from. African pygmy goat at the shoulder height averaging 15 to 20 inches tall pygmy goats are mainly adopted as pets. The breed is a lowmaintenance source of meat and milk in its native land. Raising pygmy goats as pets is very popular in some countries. Female pygmy goats weigh about 35 to 50 lbs, and males, 40 to 60 lbs. Our timing was good, as her backyard herd had just given birth to about 20 little baby goats. Originally native to southwest asia, goats were domesticated 8,500 years ago for meat, milk and fiber and are now found all over the planet. Feel free to ask questions, post pictures, or just hang out.