Can you eat pygmy goats

Newborn pygmy goats like to play and rest. Test your Pygmies for worms at least twice a year, which is done via a Faecal Egg Count.

Common Diseases or Health Issues Goats are extremely hardly animals, so diseases are uncommon, but they can occur. Udder infection, or mastitis, is a threat to any lactating doe. Keeping your goats properly housed and fed will go a long way to keeping them healthy. You should also consider what sex you want your pet goat to be. This is also a good opportunity to get an idea of the personality of the goat. Breeders in Australia There are several reputable breeders of Pygmy goats in Australia.

This price could be much less or much more, depending on where you purchase your goats from. Because of their dairy abilities, they are usually more expensive than Pygmies. Source attribution www.

Toni Benton Toni has a lot of experience with keeping pets and pet enclsoures, with her very cheeky British shorthair cat named Charlie and a rescue cat Rosie who is now nearly Phillip E Pemberton says: Where can I purchase a mini goat. May 5, at am Reply. DI says: What state are you in Phillip? May 22, at am Reply. Georgia Nelson says: Where is the best place to get miniature pygmy goats near Heath Ohio?

June 12, at am Reply. Linda says: Any breeders in north Carolina?? Also supplies an housing an proper fencing?? September 27, at pm Reply. JenniferDye says: Where can i buy one in oklahoma. August 31, at am Reply.

Dee pope says: Where can i pay a goat. December 11, at pm Reply. Wendie says: Are there any breeders near Tooele, Utah? January 3, at am Reply. July 28, at pm Reply. Addy says: I have to get one!! August 10, at pm Reply.

Hope says: Just wondering where could i get a pygmy goat on the mid north coast of NSW? Pygmy goats will bend, stand, and rub on the fence, especially if there seems to be attractive food on the other side, so the braided wire should be strong enough to withstand.

So, it is desirable that the posts should be no more than 10 feet apart. To secure your pygmy goats, a wire fence with 2x4 inch holes is needed - that should be small enough for the goats to lay their heads. Goat fences should be at least 5 feet for most goats and 4 feet for pygmy goats. A wire run as tightly as possible on the top of the fence between the posts at eye level can prevent jumping and climbing.

Some prefer to have it barbed or electrified but ordinary wire also works well. Goats are more likely to crawl under than climb or jump a fence, so the bottom wire should be kept close to the ground. Woven wire fences are an effective and commonly used fencing option, but it is important to pay attention to the openings. Horned goats can easily get caught in woven wire fences with 6x6 inch openings. A good idea is to put an electrified wire about a foot from the ground and 9 inches from the fence but it will only reduce the number of goats caught in the fence.

Woven wire fences with 6x9 inch and 6x12 inch are cheaper and the goats can free themselves if caught. A safer but more expensive option that many recommend is woven wire with 4x4 inch openings - this is also a better option if there are predators in the area. A general tip is to have the wire face the interior of the pen or the goats so that if they will push or rub against the wire the force would be directed to the posts rather than the staples.

Barbed wire, rail, and panel fences are also good options. But generally, with any type of fencing, remember the important saying "what doesn't hold water won't hold a goat". Determine how many goats you want to keep - Pygmy goats are herd animals - always consider that a goat never wants to be alone. At least two of the beautiful pygmy goats should therefore be kept together. A pygmy goat always needs a friend. Climbing opportunities - The original habitat of the pygmy goat is the mountains.

Therefore, goats are enthusiastic and agile climbers. So, if you constructed some obstacles in their pen, such as bales of straw, wooden benches or picnic tables they could provide hours of entertainment.

Treats - A variety of human foods such as watermelon, apples, pears, peaches, carrots, lettuce, celery, pumpkin, squash, and spinach are good to feed your pygmy goats and can be added to their diet.

Only make sure that all pieces are small enough to prevent choking. Note: Avocado is highly poisonous to goats; and should be avoid. Fruits and vegetables are good for pygmy goats and will be welcomed as a great treat. Giving your pygmy goat freedom of pasture is absolutely necessary. Grass, shrubs, leaves, and weeds such as dandelions and clovers, are the natural food of the goat and will be welcomed as a great pleasure.

In summer, pygmy goats can feed themselves only by grazing in pastures, if of course you have big enough pastures. If you have a small pygmy goat herd, you will need multiple pastures to accommodate goats' needs. Moreover, you must regularly change the place where your goats graze, so that the grass and weeds can grow back. Alfalfa hay - If you don't have enough space for your pygmy goats, you can feed them alfalfa hay when they can't graze.

Purchase very high-quality hay for the healthiest goats and the highest quality milk - high calcium alfalfa hay is important for milk production. Every pygmy goat needs 0. But if they get additional grain, they need less. Hay feeder - When feeding your pygmy goats with alfalfa or other hays you need to put it in a hay feeder that will keep hay off the ground as goats are relatively picky about their food. If you are raising goats for meat , you may have trouble deciding which breeds are best.

While any goat breed can be raised for meat, specific types are bred specifically for the virtues most important for producing edible meat. For example, most meat goat species are bred to mature quickly and put on weight, with little emphasis on producing milk. While milk goats are expected to produce for a long time, it's preferable for a meat goat to grow quickly and be ready for the market as soon as possible. No one expects a meat goat to live to old age.

If you are raising goats for meat, you don't need to buy a show goat—in fact, you shouldn't. Show goats and meat goats are raised in many different ways. And you don't need to buy registered stock. Most meat producers find it ideal to select a good, full-breed buck and breed him with several mixed-breed nannies. Whatever market you find for your goat meat will determine what qualities you want in the kids. Here are some notable breeds often recommended when raising goats for meat.

Boer goats were bred in South Africa for meat and selected for their superior body shape, high growth rate, and fertility. These large-framed animals may be white and reddish-brown, or all red with short hair and black, brown, or red markings on the head and neck.

Boers have short horns that are curved close to the head. They have long, pendulous ears, and are known for being docile. The Boer is highly resistant to disease, and it does well in hot, dry, and semi-desert areas. These goats can turn out to be a perfect pet for anyone who can take care and put an effort to raise them. They need reasonable shelter and care. These little bundles of joy offer never-ending fun as they are adorable and love to play. Pygmies get along with chickens and livestock.

In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about the pygmy goats, including how to raise and train them. The breed originated from the Cameron Valley, West Africa. It is one of the most productive and hardiest goat breeds. Apart from offering milk, these goats serve as great pet as they are responsive, cooperative, and lovely companions.

Homesteaders can raise them for meat as well, though they are selected more for their milk. Hence, pygmy goats are highly suitable for commercial purposes and as pets. Pygmy goats offer a wide range of characteristics, including their adaptability.

They are considered as an asset in various aspects. Being one of the smallest goats, they range between 15 to 20 inches in their height. The average weight of a pygmy goat may range from 40 to 50 pounds. Their physical structure is compact.

These goats have different colors, patterns, and shades. Their coats are medium long and straight. The density of their coats depends on the weather and climate. Apart from being the most lovable pet, these goats are also known for their highly nutritious milk production.

On average, a pygmy goat tends to produce one to two liters of milk depending on the age of the female breed. Although the milk comprises of 4. They continue to produce milk for almost 4 to 6 months after giving birth to a baby. These goats are non-seasonal breeders and can give birth to their young ones during practically any time of the year. They attain puberty after 4 to 5 months of their birth.

However, it is advisable to breed them after they reach the age of 9 to 10 months. Pygmy goats look like dwarfs, as they have short legs and a stocky body. Their limbs are relatively short as compared to the body length. The salient appearance features include a broad forehead, short horns, erect ears, a small nose, and rounded muzzle. The male goats are slightly different in appearance due to the presence of a long beard. Just like other breeds, pygmy goats are ruminant animals.

They stay healthy and productive if appropriately fed. When feeding these goats, you need to consider their age, sex, and individual circumstance. Typically, pygmy goats are less demanding when it comes to their food. They can feed on simply green grasses, corn, and other types of grains.

It would be great if you offer them a natural grazing area. In addition, have plenty of hay for them to feed as they wish. Roughage will help with rumen function for digestion. In addition, you can also feed them supplementary feeds. Make sure to offer a balanced amount of protein, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. In order to keep your pygmy goat safe and healthy, you need to provide it with proper goat housing.

The primary focus needs to be able to keep the goats safely contained and away from predators. A clean and cozy environment can help to protect these goats from seasonal or viral diseases. If you have plenty of space, make a fence around a reasonable area with plenty of grass.

The goat house should have adequate set up for drainage. If you live in a hot climate, you may consider running a misting system in the afternoons. Depending on the breed, pygmy goats typically have two babies per pregnancy. However, some breeds have 2 — 5 kids at a time. A baby goat is called a kid. The typical breeding season for pygmy goats is the months of September through March.

No doubt, pygmy goats are good pets in most of the cases. The reason for this is the fact that they are friendly, easy to handle, social, and love to play.