Our Animals - African Pygmy Goat

Our Animals > African Pygmy Goat

A pygmy goat is a small breed of domestic goat. Although they produce a very large amount of milk for their size, and can be eaten, pygmy goats are not typically used for milk or meat, unlike larger dairy and meat goat breeds. Pygmy goats tend to be more robust and breed more continually throughout the year than either dairy or meat goats. They are also sometimes kept as pets in urban or suburban backyards, depending on local regulation of livestock ownership.

Like all goats, pygmy goats have stomachs with four compartments: the rumen, the reticulum, the omasum, and the abomasum. As browsers, goats are similar to deer and enjoy variety in their diet, including woody plants. The pygmy goat is quite hardy, an asset in a wide variety of settings, and can adapt to virtually all climates.

Appearance

Females, called does or nannies, weigh 23 to 34 kg (51 to 75 lb) and males, called bucks or billies, are weigh 27 to 39 kg (60 to 86 lb). Wither height ranges from 16 to 23 in (41 to 58 cm). Their color can range from white carmel, medium carmel, dark carmel, dark (red) carmel, silver-light grey agouti, silly medium grey agouti, dark grey agouti, black with frosted points, solid black, and brown agouti. Also, the males are usually darker than the females.

Reproduction

Pygmy goats are precocious breeders, bearing one to four young every nine to twelve months after a five month gestation period. Does are usually bred for the first time at about twelve to eighteen months, although they may conceive as early as two months if care is not taken to separate them early from bucklings. Newborn kids will nurse almost immediately, begin eating grain and roughage within a week, and are weaned by three months of age.

Polyestrous sexual behavior means they can cycle year-round as opposed to dairy breeds. If milking is a priority, a continuous supply of milk can be obtained by breeding two does alternately. Dairy breeds usually have problems maintaining a year-round milk supply due to their seasonal breeding nature.

Origin

Pygmy goats originated in the Cameroon Valley of West Africa. They were imported into the United States from European zoos in the 1950s for use in zoos as well as research animals. They were eventually acquired by private breeders and quickly gained popularity as pets and exhibition animals due to their good-natured personalities, friendliness and hardy constitution. Today you can find them as house pets and at petting zoos.

Housing and care

Pygmy goats are adaptable to virtually any climate so they do not need the comfort of warmth or coldness. They enjoy to have items to jump on, for they are able to leap onto vehicles. They are also in need of a shed and open area accessible at all times. They also need a companion that doesn't necessarily have to be its own species. Pygmy goats should not be introduced to another species or they can be harmed by the other animal. Goats require fresh water at all times or they won't drink it. Pygmy goats are often affectionate if they are treated with respect, and they are still some of the most needy pets.