Pygmy Goat Care: Best Guide For Beginners & 7 Tips

Pygmy goat care and maintenance tasks are very easy, compared to other goat breeds. They are smaller in size and it’s very easy to care for pygmies. Usually they are smaller in size and suitable as dairy, meat and pet goats.

Pygmy goats were originated from the Cameroon Valley of West Africa, and were introduced to the United States in the 1950s.

They are very popular as pet goats than livestock animals, mainly for their calm and friendly nature.

They are easily adaptable to all climates around the world. They produce high amount of milk, compared to their body size and food consumption.

Pygmy Goat Care

Most of the domestic goats indulge in breeding within a fixed time, but pygmy goats can be bred throughout the year. Usually a male pygmy goat weights about 40 to 60 lbs and a female pygmy goat weights about 35 to 50 lbs.

Both male and female goats come with a wide variety of colors. You can find them in white caramel, medium caramel and dark red caramel.

Some pygmy goats can also be silver-light gray agouti, medium gray agouti, dark gray agouti, black with frosted points, solid black, and brown agouti.

Usually female pygmy goats have lighter color than the males. However, here we are trying to discuss more about pygmy goat care.

Basic pygmy goat care includes feeding, shelter, fencing, trimming and worming. Read more about every steps of pygmy goat care below.

Feeding

Feeding adequate quality feeds to your goats is very important. A regular diet of pygmy goats must include protein enriched foods such as grains, fresh greens and oats. You can fulfill the carbohydrate needs of your goats by feeding them whole and rolled grains.

For fulfilling necessary minerals and vitamins demand, you can feed your goats corn, oats, sweet feed and goat ration. Usually a pygmy goat will require about ¼ cup of grain daily.

Some people also recommend good quality alfalfa mix hay and molasses-free grain for the pygmies. You can use a trough for feeding your goats. Trough will help to reduce wastage of grains. And pygmies don’t eat soiled or dirty feed (unless they are starving).

So using trough for feeding will be very effective. For better benefits and good health of your goats, try to allow them to a wide variety of forages such as forbs, grass and browse.

Fescue, orchard and blue grasses are good for pygmy goats. Cloves, dandelion and wild lettuce are forbs, and also contribute to the pygmies health.

Pygmy goats also love browse such as blackberry, brushes, rabbit brush etc. Vitamin A and D are very essential for the pygmy goats.

Green hay, green pasture, yellow corn etc. are enriched with Vitamin A. The sun provide the goats enough Vitamin D during summer season.

Sun-cured hay is the best source of Vitamin D, when the sun is not strong enough (especially during the winter season).

However, along with providing sufficient nutritious food, the pygmy goats also need adequate supply of clean and fresh drinking water.

pygmy goat, pygmy goats, pygmy goat care, raising pygmy goats, how to care for pygmy goats, how to take care of pygmy goats

If possible, supply your goats slightly warm water during the winter season. This will encourage the goats to drink plenty of water. Change the water frequently and clean the watering pot regularly.

Shelter

Goat shelter constructed with raised wooden platforms is best for the pygmy goats. Usually pygmy goats like standing on higher grounds for a view-from-top experience, but they are not great jumpers.

They don’t like sleeping on the ground, they like living and sleeping on a dry place and raised platform. And without raised platforms, they are prone to acute hoof disorder.

Pygmy goats are smaller in size, so they require less space for living. Generally an 8″*6″ shed will be suitable enough for housing two adult pygmy goats. Keep good ventilation system in the shed.

This will help them to feel comfortable during the summer season, and also help to prevent various types of diseases and illnesses.

Ensure that the drafts are closed, during winter season. The floor of the shed can be of any type. Flooring can be concrete, wooden or made of clay. Most of the expert goat producer suggest clay as the best flooring system. A concrete flooring may be cold and damp during winter, while a wooden flooring is prone to rotting.

On the other hand, a clay flooring would not only provide the goats a natural ground, it would also help dissipate urine odor. So it is recommended to construct a thick layer of clay using gravel as the base.

And apply a new layer of clay after two years or so for renovating the flooring. Pygmy goats do not like getting their hooves wet or muddy.

So place pieces of bricks and wood on the ground, in the backyard where your pygmy goats would be frequenting (especially during rainy season).

Fencing

As we know ‘goats are good escape artists’. Pygmy goats are not an exception. So you have to make a strong fence around your farms area to keep the goats safe inside.

The fencing must have to be tall enough for keeping harmful animals such as dogs from straying into the vicinity of the goats. A 4 feet tall livestock fencing will be suitable.

It will also be better, if you can construct a pen with the fence so that the goats can move more freely. Don’t use barbed wire for making fencing for your pygmy goats (because they might injure themselves).

Hoof Trimming

Proper pygmy goat care also include regular hoof trimming. Usually goats with untrimmed hooves are prone to develop lameness, splayed toes or foot rot.

You should perform hoof trimming on a regular monthly basis. Hoof trimming after every 4 to 6 weeks is recommended for pygmy goats.

Worming & Vaccination

Timely worming will help to keep your goats healthy and productive. And it’s an important part of pygmy goat care. For pygmy goats, worming must have to be done 3 to 4 times annually.

For protecting the babies, pregnant goats are recommend to be worming before kidding and during the last month of the pregnancy. Always try to vaccinate your goats timely. Annual vaccination will help to keep your goats healthy and productive.

Vaccinate your pygmy goats against rabies, enterotoxemia and tetanus. Vaccination can’t provide 100% protection against any specific diseases, but it helps to prevent the diseases. That’s why goats require timely vaccination.

If possible, never separate the newborn babies from their mother and bottle-feed them. Naturally moms always take good care of their babies.

So, never separate the babies from their mom, unless a critical need arises for the kid’s survival. Never feed a wether with grains after it has been weaned.

Doing this will help the weaned goats to prevent from developing urinary stones. These are the common pygmy goat care system. Take some time and try to take good care of your animals.

Tips for Caring Pygmy Goats

Here are the best tips for caring pygmy goats.

1. Shelter and Space

Pygmy goats need shelter to protect them from extreme weather conditions like rain, snow, or heat. The shelter should be dry, well-ventilated, and large enough to accommodate all your goats.

A good rule of thumb is to provide a minimum of 15-20 square feet of space per goat. The shelter should also be easy to clean and provide enough space for the goats to move around comfortably.

2. Proper Diet

A proper diet is essential for the health of pygmy goats. Their diet should consist of hay, grains, and fresh vegetables. Good quality hay should be available to them at all times, and grains should be fed in moderation.

Fresh vegetables such as carrots, beets, and kale can be given to them as treats. It is also essential to provide them with clean and fresh water regularly.

3. Exercise

Pygmy goats are very active and love to run and jump. They need regular exercise to keep them healthy and happy. It is recommended to provide them with enough space to run and play around. A fenced area or a pasture is an ideal place for them to play and exercise.

4. Grooming

Grooming is an essential part of caring for pygmy goats. They have a thick coat of fur that needs regular brushing to keep it clean and free of tangles.

You should also check their hooves regularly and trim them if necessary. Pygmy goats are prone to parasites, so it is essential to keep them clean and healthy.

5. Health Care

Regular check-ups with a veterinarian are crucial for the health of pygmy goats. They need to be vaccinated against common diseases and parasites. It is also important to deworm them regularly to prevent parasitic infections. Signs of illness should be monitored, and prompt action should be taken if any symptoms are detected.

6. Socialization

Pygmy goats are social animals and enjoy the company of other goats. They need regular interaction with other goats to prevent boredom and depression. You should consider getting at least two pygmy goats so that they can interact and play with each other.

7. Protection from Predators

Pygmy goats are small animals and are vulnerable to predators such as coyotes, dogs, and foxes. It is essential to provide them with a secure enclosure to protect them from predators. The enclosure should have a sturdy fence that is at least 4 feet high and should be checked regularly for any damage or holes.

1 thought on “Pygmy Goat Care: Best Guide For Beginners & 7 Tips”

  1. What wormer is best in Spring? Summer? Fall? Winter? I’ve used Safeguard, ivermectrin and ultra Boss. In horses wormers are rotated.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top