Raising Pygmy Goats

Pygmy goats are small, hardy, and full of personality—making them a favorite for backyard homesteads, 4-H projects, pet farms, and educational settings. While they’re often kept as companion animals, they can also provide milk (in small quantities) and excellent brush-clearing help. Despite their size, they have specific care needs. 

1. Understanding Pygmy Goats

• Origin: West Africa; developed in the U.S. as a compact, resilient breed.

• Size: 16–23 inches tall at the withers; adults weigh 35–60 lbs.

• Lifespan: 10–15 years with proper care.

• Temperament: Playful, curious, social, and intelligent—great with children.

• Purpose: Primarily pets, show animals, or small-farm companions (not ideal for commercial dairy or meat).

• Milk: Does produce 1–2 pints per day (lower volume but high butterfat)—enough for occasional family use.

• Breeding: Can breed year-round; reach puberty at 4–6 months.

2. Housing Requirements

Shelter:

• Provide a dry, draft-free, well-ventilated 3-sided shed or small barn.

• Minimum 10–15 sq ft per goat indoors.

• Use bedding like straw or wood shavings—clean weekly to prevent ammonia buildup and parasites.

• Ensure the roof keeps rain out and the floor stays dry (concrete with bedding or raised wooden floors work well).

Outdoor Space:

• Minimum 200 sq ft per goat in a secure pen.

• Pygmy goats love to climb, jump, and play—add stumps, platforms, seesaws, or sturdy logs for enrichment.

• Provide shade in summer and windbreaks in winter.

3. Fencing

• Use woven wire, cattle panels, or 4-ft goat fencing with small openings (≤4 inches).

• Pygmies are escape artists—they’ll squeeze through gaps or climb weak fences.

• Secure latches with carabiners or goat-proof locks.

• Electric fencing alone is not reliable—use it only as a supplement.

4. Nutrition

Forage & Browse:

• Pygmies thrive on brush, weeds, leaves, and shrubs—they’re natural browsers.

• Rotate pastures to reduce parasite load.

Hay:

• Offer free-choice grass hay (e.g., timothy or orchard grass).

• Alfalfa can be given sparingly to pregnant/lactating does—but avoid excess in wethers (risk of urinary stones).

Grain & Supplements:

• Most Pygmies don’t need grain unless pregnant, lactating, or in poor condition.

• Never overfeed grain—wethers are highly prone to urinary calculi.

• Provide goat-specific loose minerals (with copper—never use sheep minerals).

• Fresh, clean water must be available at all times.

5. Health Care

Vaccinations:

• CD&T vaccine (Clostridium C & D + Tetanus):

  • Kids: First dose at 6–8 weeks, booster 3–4 weeks later.

  • Adults: Annual boosters; does should be vaccinated 4–6 weeks before kidding.

Parasite Control:

• Use FAMACHA scoring, body condition checks, and fecal tests.

• Practice rotational grazing and pasture rest.

• Deworm only when needed—avoid routine schedules to prevent resistance.

Hoof Trimming:

• Every 6–8 weeks (less often on rocky or dry ground).

• Use sharp hoof trimmers; trim to the white line—avoid cutting into the pink quick.

Common Health Issues:

• Urinary calculi (in wethers—ensure proper calcium-to-phosphorus ratio and plenty of water)

• Pneumonia (in damp, cold, or poorly ventilated shelters)

• Coccidiosis (in young kids under stress)

• Lice or mites (more common in winter—treat with appropriate sprays or dusts)

6. Breeding & Kidding

Breeding Age:

• Does: Can breed as early as 4–6 months, but wait until 7–8 months and ≥50% adult weight.

• Bucks: Fertile by 3–4 months—separate from does early if not breeding.

Gestation: ~150 days (5 months).

Kidding:

• Usually unassisted, but monitor closely—triplets and quads are common.

• Provide a clean, quiet, dry kidding area with fresh bedding.

• Kids must nurse within 1–2 hours for colostrum.

• Keep kids warm in cold weather—hypothermia is a risk for small newborns.

Milk Production:

• Does produce 1–2 pints/day—enough for small household use or feeding extra kids.

• Milking is optional; many owners leave kids with dams for natural nursing.

7. Social & Behavioral Needs

• Never keep just one goat—Pygmies are highly social and need companionship.

• Minimum herd: 2 goats (e.g., two wethers, two does, or a doe and wether).

• Avoid keeping bucks with females unless breeding—they become smelly and aggressive during rut.

8. Predator Protection

• Lock goats in a secure shelter at night.

• Use livestock guardian dogs, donkeys, or llamas if predators (coyotes, dogs, foxes) are a concern.

• Ensure fencing is tight and tall enough to deter climbers and diggers.

9. Why Raise Pygmy Goats?

✅ Small size = easy handling and lower space/feed needs
✅ Great for families, kids, and educational programs
✅ Hardy and adaptable to various climates
✅ Entertaining personalities and playful behavior
✅ Low-maintenance compared to larger dairy breeds

10. Pro Tips for Success

• Start with registered or health-tested goats from reputable breeders.

• Wethers make the best pets—calmer, odor-free, and longer-lived than intact bucks.

• Keep detailed records of vaccinations, breeding, and health.

• Join the National Pygmy Goat Association (NPGA) for resources and community support.

• Provide toys and climbing structures—bored Pygmies become destructive!

With the right care, Pygmy goats can bring joy, companionship, and a touch of playful chaos to your homestead for many years.