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Below are actual questions that have been asked. I do not consider myself an "expert", but I have been a breeder since 1991 and a Pygmy goat 4-H leader for ten years. Do feel free to ask me questions that you may have (please read the info I have on my site first, though!).
How long do Pygmy goats live?
Pygmy goats should live about 10 years. The oldest goat out of my herd is over 12 and still going strong.
What type of fencing do Pygmy goats need?
I use standard woven livestock fencing--47 inches high with openings smaller on the bottom (4"x6") and larger on top (6"x6"). If you have babies younger than 3 months, you may have to keep a cardboard collar on them until they grow too large to squeeze through the holes. If you have bucks, you may need to run a strand of hot wire about 12" off the ground to keep them from tearing down the fence or use heavy duty cattle panels (this is what I use).
What type of housing do Pygmy Goats need?
You can use a three-sided shed as long as the goats are protected from rain and wind. When I started with two wethers, I just had an 8' x 8' shed. Now I have a 14' x 20' barn with two kidding pens, one of which I use for storing feed and supplies. I love the extra space!
Can I only get one Pygmy goat?
I do not sell my goats to homes where they would be the only goat. Goats are herd animals and are happiest with other goats. A minimum number is two goats, and I personally feel that three is a better number.
Can I keep a buck as a pet?
An unneutered male is a smelly animal. In order to make themselves attractive to females,they urinate on themselves. They also grow long hair and exhibit 'odd' behavior--blubbering, snorting. etc. This is normal for a buck. Bucks do not make good pets. Often, bucks that are treated as a pet become aggressive as adults. If you need a buck for breeding purposes, provide a separate pen and a wether as a companion and do not treat it as a pet! Neutered males, called wethers, however, make wonderful pets. They will look very similar to a doe, won't smell and can have wonderful temperaments.
Can I let my buck and does live together?
Bucks should be kept in a separate pen. If housed together with does, the buck will breed the does anytime they come into heat. This can result in does being bred too early (you wouldn't breed your 12 year old daughter just because she is 'old enough', would you?) or too frequently (I recommend breeding does no more than once a year.
How old should a doe before being bred?
A doe should be around 18 months old before she is bred for the first time, sometimes I wait until they are two years old if they are slow in developing.
Do Pygmy goats get along with other livestock?
Pygmy goats have a good-natured personality and get along well with other livestock. I have mine in with a horse, chickens and rabbits and have had sheep with them. The key is the temperament of the other livestock. I have sold goats to people with one horse who want companions for their horse and don't want to care for another large animal.
How expensive are Pygmy goats to keep?
Pygmy goats are inexpensive animals to keep, especially wethers or does not being freshened. I feed my non-breeding animals only 1/2 to one cup of feed per day and grass hay. Does that are nursing get 4 cups of feed a day and alfalfa mixed with their grass hay and growing kids get alfalfa in a creep feeder. They also have access to loose mineral salt and get selenium crumbles on their feed every day. Pygmy goats are very healthy animals for the most part and I have rarely had to take them to the vet.
Why does it seem that their are different types of Pygmy goats? Some are taller and have different heads than others I have seen.
Just as in any animal, let the buyer beware. I have seen many smaller goats sold as "pygmy" goats that are actually Pygora goats or some mixture of Pygmy and other goat breeds. Pygmy goats are a distinct breed of goat, and the only way to be sure that you are getting a true Pygmy goat is to buy registered goats from a reputable breeder. Also, within Pygmy goats, there are many different-looking goats, depending on the quality of breeding stock and how much effort the breeder is making to breed animals that look like the breed standard established by the National Pygmy Goat Association (NPGA).
How do I find a reputable Pygmy goat breeder?
A good place to start is at a Pygmy goat show or at a county or state fair. The NPGA has a breeders' directory on their web site. Once you have a list of breeders in your area, visit their farms. How do their animals look (and smell!)? They should have good healthy coats and be active. The barns should be relatively clean and should not smell. Also, once you have a breeder in mind, ask for references of previous clients or other breeders or ask other breeders about him/her. What I like are breeders who will recommend other breeders to go check out to make sure you are getting the goats you want. Look at the guarantee offered by the breeder. They should be willing to stand behind what they produce.
What should I look for when buying a Pygmy goat?
As mentioned above, first look at where the animals are housed. Is the barn relatively clean? Are the animals too crowded? Are there too many goats for the breeder to properly care for? Next, look at the goats. Is the herd in general healthy? Look at the goat's coats. Are they soft, do they feel healthy? Feel the goat along the loin area and assess how fat/thin the goat is. Do not buy either an overweight goat or a goat who is too thin (unless she is nursing). How friendly is the goat? Although the goats may be wary of strangers, they should come readily up to their owners and warm up to you after a bit. When buying a kid, look also at the temperament of its mother.Next I would look at the pedigree of the animal. Even if you are unfamiliar with the animals listed, you can look at what type of breeding practices the breeder is using. Outcrossing? Linebreeding? Inbreeding? Outcrossing (unrelated goats bred) and inbreeding (breeding distantly related goats) is fine, but I personally would be wary of buying a goat that was a result of inbreeding unless the breeder had a specific purpose in mind and is willing to stand behind the goat in case problems develop.
Finally, what type of contract/guarantee comes with your goat? Of course, the guarantee is only as good as the breeder writing it, but I would not buy a goat without a guarantee of good health and fertility (if a breedable animal). Terms should either be replacement with a similar quality of animal or refund. If there is no guarantee, RUN! A reputable breeder should be willing to stand behind what they produce.
How old should a Pygmy goat be before I can take it home?
Unless you really enjoy bottle feeding around the clock for two months, I would not buy a kid under eight weeks of age. I do not sell bottle babies since I don't milk my does. A concern of mine are breeders who sell bottle babies so they can rebreed the doe as quickly as possible. I let my kids nurse until at least eight weeks and I prefer to wait until 10 weeks for the kids to go to their new homes.
My Pygmy goat is sick, can you help me diagnose what is wrong?
Please, please please find a vet in your area that is experienced with goats BEFORE there is a problem, and when there is a problem, make sure your goat is seen by a vet. Goats are very healthy animals in general, and by the time a goat shows symptoms, they often are very sick and need immediate medical attention. I cannot diagnose your goat's problem(s) over the Internet. Here, also, is a reason to buy from a reputable breeder. They should be available to help you find the answers your questions.
Can Pygmy goats be housebroken?
As cute as Pygmy goats are, remember they are livestock and should never be considered for a house pet. I have known people who have tried, but never were successful at housebreaking a goat. If you are wanting a house pet, consider getting a dog or cat.
Do you have other questions? Feel free to contact Heidi Dahlin at hmdahlin@mac.com