Pygmy goats are one of the most sought-after goat breeds and are great as pets due to their gentle nature. However, keeping these types of goats can be pretty expensive, depending on their size, status (registered or not), and availability.
So, how much does a pygmy goat cost? A pygmy goat cost around $40 to $80. However, with the taxes and availability factors, getting a pygmy can cost you up to $350, excluding the monthly expenses, such as food and veterinary fees that can cost around $200 per month.
If you’re planning to purchase a pygmy goat, there are other aspects that you should know about owning this miniature goat.
In this article, we’ll discuss these aspects, including what they eat, where they originate, how to take care of them, and more!
What Do Pygmy Goats Look Like?
The pygmy goats are considerably smaller than other goat breeds. Their coat has varied colors ranging from brown, black, white, caramel, and silver.
Most goats from this breed have a medium fur coat that can change based on the season. Furthermore, the male goats grow beards, giving them a distinct look.
Do Pygmy Goats Get Big?
The average pygmy goat can grow up to 15 to 24 inches tall. They weigh 25 to 50 lb or 11.3 kg to 22.7 kg for females and 60 to 90 lb or 27.2 kg to 40.8 kg for male pygmy goats.
These goats are dwarf goat breeds, so the size of an average pygmy goat is smaller than other goat species.
How Long Do Pygmy Goats Live?
Pygmy goats are sturdy and healthy and can last up to 12 years on average. However, there are few health concerns for the breed, such as Enterotoxemia—a condition common to all goats and sheep, which can be constrained with vaccination.
However, with proper care and attention, the pygmy goats can live up to 15 years, given that you’ll feed them the right amount of food and secure them against predators, such as foxes.
Where Do Pygmy Goats Originate?
This achondroplastic breed of goats originally came from West Africa. Then, it was brought to the United States for zoos and research use in the 1950s.
Do You Need a Licence to Keep Pygmy Goats?
There’s no need for a license to keep a pygmy goat in most states. However, if you’re planning to import a pygmy goat or any other goat breed, you’ll need a certificate of veterinary inspection.
Since there are different regulations in keeping pygmy goats depending on your state, it’s best to check out the zoning regulations in your area. This is to ensure that you can keep a pet goat within the town or city limits.
Can a Pygmy Goat Be a House Pet?
A pygmy goat can be a house pet if treated with care and protected from its predators, such as foxes. These goats are adorable and can be kept as domestic pets.
Types of Miniature Goats and Their Costs
There are several types of miniature goats, and some of them are:
Pygmy Goats
The pygmy goats are initially from West Africa, particularly in the country of Cameroon. They’re raised primarily for meat and milk production.
The pygmy goats’ milk is higher in calcium, phosphorus, calcium, and iron than the full-sized goats. When rearing pygmy goats, they don’t need much space as they can only grow up to 21 inches in height.
They cost around $40 to $80, excluding tax and availability factors, along with the monthly cost of feeding and veterinary fees that can cost up to $200 per month.
Kinder Goats
The Kinder goat breed is a cross-breed between a Nubian doe and a Nigerian Dwarf buck. It weighs about 100-125 pounds, making them a good choice if you have a small place.
They are gentle and easy to take care of and are more easygoing goats. They’re good as pets and are also excellent sources of meat and milk. For unregistered does, the price starts at $175 and $200 for the registered ones.
Nigerian Dwarf Goats
These goats also came from West Africa, having a height that ranges from 19 to 21 inches for bucks and 17 to 19 inches for does. They’re gentle, and their milk is rich in butterfat milk.
The Nigerian dwarf goats are popular as family pets, show goats, and milking goats. These goats cost around $50 to $125, depending on their quality. The pedigree quality can cost over $200, depending on the demand, color, and traits.
Pygmy Goat Care | Requirements Cost
From handling to feeding, here are the proper way to care for your pygmy goats:
Feeding
Pygmy goats’ diet is made up mostly of grazing or hay. Furthermore, they can have part of their diet supplemented with chaff-based feeds or alfalfa.
A sweet feed shouldn’t be given to the wethers who are prone to obesity to avoid worsening their condition. Nonetheless, the young, fit, or breeding goats can have some in their diet.
A sweet feed is a mix of pelleted food, or whole grains heaved with molasses. The molasses causes the grain to be very palatable to goats. The molasses adds sugars and iron, and in some feed mills mixes aid supplements, such as minerals or medications, to adhere to the feed.
Moreover, pygmy goats can also eat veggies, fruits, and novel foods, such as plants and leaves they don’t typically have access to as a treat.
When cold weather comes, these goats need more hay due to the short supply of grasses during this weather condition.
Related: Constipation in Goats | Proven Relief and Prevention Techniques!
Temperature
Goats like to be above freezing temperatures and below 86˚F. It’s best to note that temperatures below 30˚F to 40˚F can be detrimental to your goats due to extreme coldness, especially if they don’t have good shelter.
On the other hand, during summer, your goats require shade, cool water, and a shed that’s insulated to preserve cooler temperatures than outdoors. Fans past your goats’ reach can also aid in keeping them safe from the heat.
Bathing
Bathing is also a part of goat’s care. What’s good about having goats as a pet is that you don’t have to schedule their baths or frequently clean them.
They’ll only require brushing and bathing if they’re visibly dirty. However, it’s up to you if you’d like to give your goat daily or weekly baths.
Handling
Domestic goats, such as the pygmy goat breeds are social animals. They like to be around people and socialize.
So, if you’ve got a young pygmy goat, give time to handle them frequently. This will allow the young goats to get used to human interaction and enjoy each other’s company.
Hoof Trimming
Depending on the activity level, age, and weight of your goat, it may require hoof trimming every two to six weeks. If you can see your goat’s toes are starting to curl outward, it’s an indication that it’s time to trim. On the other hand, if you’re not used to doing hoof trimming, agricultural vets can do this for you.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Another way to care for your goat is to ensure that its enclosure is clean daily. Check also for the fence and shed to make sure that everything is intact and nothing is out of place.
This prevents the goats from escaping and ensures they have an ideal place to live comfortably. Moreover, change the bedding as needed or replace it every week to create a good living condition for your goats.
Related: 5 Best Small Goat Breeds | Unexpected Reasons to Have Them!
Do Pygmy Goats Eat Everything?
Miniature goats eat everything from grasses, tree branches, weeds, hay, pellets, and grains. Their basic diet is hay and can be supplemented with goat mix.
How Much Land Do Pygmy Goats Need?
Since pygmy goats are quite small, they can live well in small areas. Ideally, 200 square feet per miniature goat is okay, but this is without pasture, and you have to bring in all the hay to them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Pygmy Goats Good For?
Pygmy goats are primarily raised as companion animals. They’re also popular as show animals and are widely seen in petting zoos. Furthermore, they also yield milk and are valuable as natural lawnmowers.
How High Can Pygmy Goats Jump?
Pygmy goats are fond of jumping. However, the tallest of this breed, which is 1.67 ft tall, can’t jump any higher than 4 ft.
Can You Keep a Pygmy Goat Inside the House?
Keeping a pygmy goat in the house isn’t a suitable idea. This is because they can eventually wreak havoc on anything they see chewable or climbable.
What Kind of Shelter Do Pygmy Goats Need?
These goats will need a shed that can shelter from the elements, such as rain, snow, and extreme heat from the sun. The shelter should be able to let them stay dry and maintain a good blockade from the wind. On top of that, it should also be insulated, helping them stay cool during summer and warm in the winter.
How Much Space Does 2 Pygmy Goats Need?
A shed with no less than 8ft x 6ft is enough to accommodate two pygmies.
Are Pygmy Goats Good to Eat?
The modern pygmy goats are primarily kept as pets but can also be good for meat since they have meaty and compact bodies.
Summary
Pygmy goats are interesting companions and can live up to 15 years. In addition, they also provide good quality milk.
If you’re planning to get a pygmy goat, it’s best to consider its cost and expenses, along with checking the legalities in your area. This way, you can ensure that you can give a safe and good environment to grow and breed.
List of Sources
Breeds of Livestock – Pygmy Goat
