Pygmy goats were originated from the cameroon valley of west africa, and were introduced to the united states in the 1950s. If they do allow goats, more than likely they will have a size andor weight limit. This book is a must have guide for anybody passionate about pygmy goats, mini goats or. Pygmy goats are very popular as pets mainly for their small size and very friendly nature. Become familiar with and apply the recommended principles of livestock animal science.
Check out our pygmy goat selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. Two popular breeds in the fiber arena are angora and pygora goats. They consider this breed rather dainty and frail, but that is actually the farthest thing from the truth. When your goats arent grazing, provide enough shelter to keep them out of the wind, excessive sun, and cold. Mature female goats does of the larger breeds including alpine, nubian, saanen, and. Basic pygmy goat care includes feeding, shelter, fencing, trimming and worming. Goat care and maintenance of healthy goats timber creek farm. Facts about the pygmy goat a picture book for kids, vol 144 by. Nigerian dwarf goats, on the other hand, are proportioned more delicately overall, like normalsized goats scaled down smaller. From selecting breeds, managing your farm, livestock guardian dogs, health care, breeding, kidding, health issues, you name it, holistic goat care talks about it. A pygmy goat is a smaller breed of the dairy or meat goat. The animal is at the same time solitary and gregarious. Care for one or more pygmy goats for at least 90 days before exhibiting. Although you will get different views from different people about raising pygmy goats as pets.
Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. Learn about the selection, breeding, nutrition, management, showmanship and health requirements of a pygmy goat, an increasingly popular pet. Rather than raising them for their milk or meat, owners usually adopt them for show and companionship. Pygmy goat care and maintenance tasks are very easy, compared to other goat breeds. Management and veterinary care by lorrie boldrick dvm, lydia hale isbn. It starts growing rapidly often within the space of a few days in the late autumn when the first frost occurs. There isnt a big difference between raising a dairy goat or a meat goat. Pygmy goats pros and cons, daily care, milking, health, training and costs. The pygmy goat club publishes an excellent booklet pygmy goats that describes in detail all aspects of housing, feeding, breeding and general welfare of these goats. Its always a good idea to have everything set up and prepared before you get a new animal.
Pygmy goats need the company of their own kind and should not be kept alone. Lessons we learned raising goats and basic caring for your animals. Goats are not gardeners an overgrown garden or hedge is not a good reason to get some goats. Many books and articles have been written about housing for dairy goats, but there is little material available that pertains specifically to pygmy goats. It is to be used for the entire ten years of participation in the 4h goat project. When spring arrives, they moult and lose their winter vest. However, most sanctuary animals come from abusive factory farm conditions and, consequently, may have more health problems and shorter life spans. Excellent info from someone whos been in goats for a very long time.
Getting nigerian dwarf goats for the first time can seem overwhelming. The pygmy goat is known to be hardy, and possess the ability to survive, adapt, and reproduce under harsh conditions. It is believed that coat color and various breed characteristics provide these goats with unique abilities to adjust to a changing environment. Raising pygmy goats as pets is very popular in some countries.
They also have certain habits and things they dodont like particularly when it comes to food. Read more about every steps of pygmy goat care below. Most goat farmers recommend not bottlefeeding a baby goat unless it is absolutely necessary, as it requires a huge time commitment for as long as three months. Apr 02, 2009 this was my first pygmy goat book other then the npga basic owners manual. Some of the technologies we use are necessary for critical functions like security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and to make the site work correctly for browsing and transactions. They are smaller in size and its very easy to care for pygmies. There are many books available for pygmy goat owners that can can provide much more detailed care instructions, and the tips provided on this webpage simply identify the practices that we have incorporated into and utilize on our farm. There are colorful photos, loads of information, and even a glossary. This book is so adorable, that students will choose it just for that, and end up. Then once you get started with them, and kind of get a groove going with their basic care and its not so bad at all however, there are some little tips and tricks that new goat owners dont always think about.
Raising pygmy goats doesnt differ much from fullsize goats, except their basic needs are on a smaller scale. Viahart patrick the pygmy goat 18 inch large stuffed animal plush by tiger tale toys. If youre raising pygmy goats from kids, have the babies disbudded horns removed when theyre very young. All goats butt, but theres a big difference if youre butted by a playful goat without horns compared to one with a full set. During winter, pygmy goats grow a woolly fur vest beneath their fur, which keeps them warm. This is why the smallest goat breeds are the most popular in urban and suburban areas. Guide for raising pygmy goats modern farming methods. Pygmy goats are not a dairy breed and most owners do not milk their female. Pygmy the protagonist and narrator of the novel, pygmy is a foreign operativeterrorist sent to the united states under the guise of a cultural exchange program. Minimum care requirements a good pasture see poisonous plants or alfalfa hay and access to clean water is adequate for pygmy goats. Caring for pygmy goats pygmy goats require an area to live and play in, as well as somewhere to shelter at night.
We primarily raise our goats for milk and we make glorious cheese, yogurt and soap from it. This book covers all the subjects including how choosing your goats, how to take care of the goat. A great pet for kids pygmy goats are great pets to own, provided you have lots of yard space or live in a rural locale. Try following some of the best general practices to keep your new kids happy.
Raising pygmy goats 4 basic guidelines to help you take. Raising goats for dummies provides you with an introduction to all aspects of owning, caring for, and the daytoday benefits of raising goats. Breaking down the complicated process of choosing and purchasing the right goat breed to meet your needs and getting facilities for your goat set up. The must have book for anyone passionate about owning a mouse, includes health, diet, housing and lots more. When i asked my students if they had heard of a pygmy goat, only 3 had. Pygmy goats do well in almost all climates, and while their living requirements are modest, a baby pygmy goat does need certain things to ensure its health. For information on dairy goats,and lots more goat info, please visit better hens and gardens and feather and scale farm. I like all the the above listed books, and would add goatkeeping 101 from caprine supply, and raising dairy goats the modern way. An introductory guide to keeping and enjoying pet goats, from feeding and housing to making your own cheese sulcata tortoise owners guide. Owners not wishing to breed should chose two wethers. Giving you a good knowledge of pygmy goat care and house plans so you can develop a safe and happy environment for your goats. Caring for pygmy goats can be a fun and rewarding experience. This book has me sold, i need a pair of pygmy goats now.
The following general tips are provided as a guideline to care. An introduction to goat welfare and ownership pdf 1. Since four years of age, pygmy and his fellow operatives have been isolated from their families and adopted by the state. Pygmy goats, mini goats or dwarf goats facts and information. Raising, breeding, keeping, milking, food, care, health and where. Feeding adequate quality feeds to your goats is very important. Its like car shopping except with goats and, well, without sleazy salesmen. Pygmy goats care, housing, interacting, feeding and health lorrick, ludwig.
The truth about keeping backyard goats living homegrown. The pygmy goat club has set breed standards regarding size and type, and organises show classes for pygmy goats. Below is info on how henry and joey were looked after, but obviously different circumstances may require different methods of care. Before you call a vet to come to your farm or bring a goat in for a nonroutine care visit unless it is a serious. No problem, symptom, treatment, sections like you find in actual veterinary care books. The american pygmy is an american breed of achondroplastic goat. And even better, it has referenced books on some topics.
Usually they are smaller in size and suitable as dairy, meat and pet goats. The goats, which are often featured in petting zoos, make ideal pets for kids. Goat care physiology of goats the typical lifespan of a goat is approximately 12 to 14 years. It has its own registration and pedigree system aimed at improvement by selective breeding. Everything you need to know about pygmy goats as pets. Meet the pygmy goat a pygmy goat is born pygmy goat life caring for a pygmy goat pygmy goat diagram fun facts. The modern pygmy goat is often called the african pygmy goat, owing to their origins in central and west africa. Creep feed is a way of supplementing a goat mothers milk and pasture feed. Holistic goat care is like a goat mentor you can have sitting on your bookshelf all day every day, just in case.
Online shopping from a great selection at books store. An adult pygmy goat weights about 75 pounds and stand about 16 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder. If the pygmy goat is not given grain it is important to have iodized salt. Pygmy goats were introduced to the world from central africa. This book is a must have guide for anybody passionate. If you dont have enough pasture, feed each goat 12 pounds of alfalfa hay per day. The primary difference between nigerian dwarf goats and nigerian pygmy goats are their body proportions. Here are some tips you can follow to take good care of a pygmy goat you are planning to bring home. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. Basic goat care for new goat keepers farming my backyard. Raising pygmy goats as pets modern farming methods. A regular diet of pygmy goats must include protein enriched foods such as grains, fresh greens.
This book features large colorful pages and photographs of pygmy goats. Before you call a vet to come to your farm or bring a goat in for a nonroutine care visit unless it is a serious emergency take a few steps to make sure that your goat gets the most appropriate care. I really like the harvey considine book, dairy goats for pleasure and profit. Horns can also get stuck in fencing or anywhere a curious goat tries to go. Many challenges exist, however, by building relationships with other pygmy breeders and doing some research you can be prepared for many situations. Pygmy goat house plans giving you a good knowledge of.
Creep feeding goats creep feeding refers to feed provided to goat kids, or baby goats, in an area specifically designed to prevent adult goats from consuming the feed. Goats can have a bit of a learning curve, so get your basic goat care down first before you bring your new goats home, or dive into more advanced care such as breeding and pregnancy. How to care for an abandoned newborn goat animals mom. Creep feeding is known to help goat kids develop healthier immune systems and increased weaning weights. Raising, breeding, keeping, milking, food, care, health. These castrated males make excellent pets, with none of. Both are registered breeds with beautiful, soft fiber, their needs differ in some areas from other goat breeds such as the pygmy and the nigerian dwarf, or nubian, but all require certain regular health and wellness care. Both books are available here, in our shop and on amazon. Buffy silverman learn all about pygmy goats, from their life cycle to their care to what they do for fun. By suzy minck, texas despite the fact that there are many different breeds of goats today, the basics of caring for goats is pretty much the same. That is solely because different people look for different things in their pets. Like the nigerian dwarf, it derives from the west african dwarf group of breeds of west africa 355. Pygmy goat care tips the following general tips are provided as a guideline to care. Having baby goats, or kids, can be an exciting time.
Readers learn about how pygmy goats are different than goats, how they are born and raised, their behavior, and their needs as pets. If theres anything more fun than a box of puppies, its a pen full of pygmies. Pygmy goats care, housing, interacting, feeding and health. The two main meat breeds are the boer, which can grow to more than 300 pounds, and the lighter side is the pygmy goat, a very small meat goat. Answers to the most frequently asked questions about goat care q. However, high milk producing pygmy goats do require a small amount of grain with added vitamins and minerals to maintain good health. Raising pygmy goats 4 basic guidelines to help you take care of pygmy goats often, people assume that raising pygmy goats would be an arduous task. Mar 29, 2019 to care for pygmy goats, allow each goat to graze on about. Nigerian pygmy goats tend to have stocky, barrellike bodies, a bit like normalsized goats with short legs. The most popular miniature goat breeds are the nigerian dwarf goats and the pygmy goats. African breeders developed these goats to be compact and resourceful, and able to survive on limited highquality forage in a variety of climate conditions. They are miniature goats that provide the best source of entertainment to goat owners across the globe. Caring for this goat is no different from caring for other pets.
Goats can be destructive to fences, housing and gardens and can call loudly, which neighbours may find a nuisance. I enjoy introducing children to new things and this book does a fantastic job of it. This book and the new goat handbook are the only books that i own and havent run into anything that hasnt been covered in one or the other for having pygmy and nubian goats. But in africa, they are raised for meat production. Look for my books that cover goat care, keeping sheep and other fiber animals, and 50 do it yourself projects for keeping goats. Management and veterinary care by boldrick dvm, lorrie, hale, lydia isbn. Management and veterinary care and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. After a couple of breeding seasons, and especially with the internet, you will soon want and need goat medicine. I have tried goat meat, but we primarily raise chickens and lambs for meat, so we dont have a need for meat goats. Best book on goats welcome to the homesteading today. Before getting any goats its important you consider if you have the time, resources, commitment, knowledge and facilities to care for them.
Youth enrolled in the 4h goat project are to complete the lesson corresponding to his or her grade as of january 1 of the current year, plus a livestock feed or record sheet. Pygmy goats are not a dairy breed and most owners do not milk their female goats. Nigerian dwarf goat book for daily care, pros and cons, raising, training, feeding, housing and health. Caring for an abandoned newborn goat involves a lot of work for several weeks, but youll have a good chance of success if. The official pygmy goat breed society in great britain, for pygmy goat owners, breeders and anyone interested in pygmy goats.
Unlike domestic goats, which are usually kept as utility animals ie, used for their milk and, perish the thought, their meat, the pygmy is kept for. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. These little goats make good, if mischievous, pets. Mar 07, 2020 pygmy goats, brexit and mrs browns boys. Best book on goats welcome to the homesteading today forum. Goats such as the pygmy smallest meat breed, nigerian dwarf smallest dairy breed, and the pygora smallest fiber breed are going to be your best bets. Most people are excited about the prospect about bringing a new goat to the homestead, but it can be confusing on which breed to choose pygmy and nigerian dwarf goats seem very similar and to the novice goat owner, and its easy to get them confused.