Pygmy goats can make for great pets, just not for everyone. As with any potential pet, the breed should be carefully researched. The time spent before buying pet pygmy goats, will pay off in the long run. The pygmy goats need specific things out of life. If the pygmy goats are kept happy, they will provide their owners with plenty of good times. Pygmy goats don’t ask for much. A little research goes a long way into making owning a pygmy goat, an enjoyable endeavor. The children will love the experience. It’s like having your own zoo. What could be better than a loving pair of goats?
Pygmy goats love company. The first thing that many people don’t realize is goats should be bought in pairs. A single goat will be unhappy. Pygmy, along with all goats, are herding animals. They love the socialization of living with others. The ideal situation is to have multiple goats, or a goat and sheep. As long as the goat has someone to companion with, they are fine. I would even encourage replacing a goat, if one dies. A goat will be lost when it’s partner passes. Another goat replacing the goat that has died, will cheer up the survivor. If someone wants a goat as a pet, they must realize it is a breed that loves company, all the time. A single goat, will definitely show signs of depression.
To do goats justice, one needs land for the goat to live on. Goats do not do well in a city environment. They don’t require a huge area, but do need a yard. Pygmy goats also need to be housed, to protect them from predators. Goats like to explore, so realize fencing will be needed. If you don’t have a fenced area for the goats, you better have understanding neighbors. Pygmy goats also need places to jump up on. They love to sleep up in the air. I had a pair of goats that would sleep in a hammock with me. This encounter never ended well. The goats would get tangled in it, or flip me off of the hammock. Never leave an unattended hammock for a goat. The ideal home for a goat would have a barn, for the goat to use for housing.
Goats will eat just about anything. They will clean out overgrown area’s, in no time. Always check what your pygmy goats are eating while loose. Some things are poisonous to goats. Azaleas and Rhododendrons are very poisonous to most goats. These plants should never be planted where goats can get to them. Pygmy goats are less likely to eat enough harmful plant life, if they have a proper diet. A hungry goat will binge eat. Goats that are properly fed become more curious, and will smell and nibble, more than anything else. If the pygmy goat’s main source of food is from grazing, the area must be checked carefully, and properly maintained.
A pygmy goats diet should consist of good quality hay, and a proper ration of grain. Goats require a diet high in fiber, with only a little grain. A poor combination will lead to problems down the road. Goats are very intelligent, and clean animals. Pygmy goats will need clean eating area’s. Goats feed should be placed where they cannot step on the food. Water should be changed as often as possible. Pygmy goats need a constant supply of fresh water. Dirty water will cause an unhealthy environment for the goat. Pygmy goats will be fussy, and usually eat alfalfa hay, before the other types of hay. Alfalfa hay has much of the protein needed by goats. Goats have stomachs with four different compartments. They eat roughage, only to regurgitate it later. This isn’t the goat becoming ill, its called rumination. First time goat owners sometimes become overly concerned, but it is normal food processing for the goat.
Pygmy goats can develop many different diseases. Many of these are from poor diet. Goats need to be wormed regularly, every three months would be best. Before buying goats, a person should find a good veterinarian. Many veterinarians are good with cats and dogs, but not with farm animals. There is a good chance that your normal vet, will not want to treat your goats. If you have a regular veterinarian, ask them who would be the best veterinarian, to treat the pygmy goats. Most diseases of the goat need to be treated right away. As soon as the goat is acting off form, find out what is wrong. Many times just asking a vet, or old farmer, will give you the answers you need. Many goats develop Urinary Calculi. This is more commonly known as bladder stones. This disease is most prevalent in male goats, that have been castrated. The symptoms are stomach pain, trouble urinating, bloating, and constant bleating. The disease is caused mainly by a concentrated diet. Grain must always be fed sparingly to pygmy goats. Once you have had the goats awhile, you will instinctively know what to feed them. They will talk to you with their unique actions.The best way to keep the pygmy goats healthy, is with proper diet, and worming. Always consult a veterinarian if you don’t know what is wrong. Pygmy goats also need to have their hooves trimmed. If the hooves go unattended,they will cause leg problems in the goats. Goats living on soft ground need the hooves trimmed more often. Pygmy goats living on hard ground, wear their own hooves enough, to not need as much trimming. Once the owner sees the hooves trimmed by a professional, they can usually perform the trimming themselves, with the proper trimmer.
Pygmy goats are fun. They will give a great deal of enjoyment to the entire family. Pygmy goats love to explore things. They play with each other all the time. Goats will chase each other, head butt, and talk to one another all day. Children age six and up, are probably safe to keep around goats. Pygmy goats could hurt younger children with their curiosity. A goat may step on a small child while playing, but wouldn’t deliberately hurt anyone. Smaller children should be accompanied by their parents, while playing with the pygmy goats. The lifespan of the pygmy goats vary, but most live between 8 to 12 years. They perform better when they are in a herd. Keeping a single goat is never a good idea. This is a point that I can’t emphasis enough. Pygmy goats range in price, but can usually be bought for one hundred dollars a pair. Any credible seller will sell them in pairs. Always ask questions, to find out the background of the pygmy goats. Many goats are sold after people realize they made a mistake in getting the goats in the first place. These goats usually do fine with people who take the time, and research the breed before jumping in. I wouldn’t hesitate in buying pygmy goats from a family that made a mistake in getting the goats. Many times these goats are given away. If you love the goats, and care for them properly, this is the best way to get young pygmy goats. I see them in local classified adds all the time.
Resources:www.goodbycitylife.comwww.goatworld.comwww.goats4h.com
