Silver Lake Ranch

Characterisitcs

Pygmy Goats are hardy animals adapting well to most environments. They are alert goats who take interest in their human counterparts. They have very strong herd instincts and stress and pine when separated from their herd. Humans can easily become important parts of the herd and Pygmies will develop strong bonds with humans. They are very sweet and comical animals with lots of personality. Pygmy goats are dual purpose goats being used for meat and milk. Although low to the ground they are easy milkers and provide up to 2 quarts per day. They are usually milked twice a day and give lovely rich creamy milk with little of that traditional “goatie” taste.

Pygmy goats breed easily having one to four kids. Gestation is 5 months. Does are usually bred for the first time at about twelve to eighteen months old. Care must be taken when breeding to use a buck that is no bigger than the doe or the doe may have trouble birthing kids that are too large for her. The kids which weigh around 1 pound at birth, suckle immediately and start to browse at a week old. Weaning can be done by three months of age but five months gives the kids a better start. They nurse or are given a bottle 4 times a day while young.

Physical characteristics

Pygmy goats have coarse medium to long hair. Both males and females can have beards. Colors include solid black with white accents, black or Grey Agouti (black or grey with white intermingled), brown agouti (brown with white intermingled) and caramel. Pygmies have consistent deep bodies and chests, straight backs and short stocky legs. Their tails are short and usually held erect. They have medium sized erect ears although the ears extend out to the sides of the head not on top. They often have wattles. They are horned goats and bucks can grow very large horns. The horns are usually straight directed back with a curve away from the body. To be registered does must be between 16-22 3/8inches at the withers and bucks between 16-23 5/8 inches.

Feeding

Goats are browsers which means they will eat forage as high as they can reach. Often times standing on back legs. The Pygmy is an effective browser and excellent at adapting to different environments. They are effective “brush clearers” or “weed eater”. Contrary to what people say goats DO NOT eat everything. They are quite selective with what they eat. They are very good at avoiding plants that are toxic to them. (which there are plenty of) Feeding good quality food is important to the health of your animals. While most goats will pick through the mold in “goat or cow” hay it is still not the best choice of food if something else is available. A good grass hay or hay and pellet combination is a good diet choice. Straight alfalfa is too high in protein and can cause arthritis which Pygmies have a tendency for. They also tend to over eat so care must be taken to limit their diet. For young kids, or lactating does more protein is needed. Kids suckle or are bottle fed for optimally 5 months. Lactating Does may need grain supplements to sustain a healthy weight. One cup per milking is usually adequate.

Housing

Goats need shelter. Although they are capable of handling varied climates and conditions they do need to be able to get out of the weather. An 8ft by 8ft shelter is adequate for a couple of goats. They are active when young and love to climb and jump so a corral with room (20ft x 20ft minimum) is needed. Things like tires and blocks to climb on keep them entertained. They like to sleep off the ground so a shelf is advisable in their enclosure. Goats are exceptional jumpers and climbers so a 6ft fence is necessary. Although Pygmies are very short goats, they are capable of scaling a 5ft fence.