African Pygmy Goat

When you think about house pets, what comes to your mind? For me, it's cute and cuddly dogs (for others, it could be big, growling guard dogs as well), lazy cats, parrots, hamsters, and other cute animals. For once, I would even understand if someone has a pet tarantula; but an African pygmy goat? Now that's something new to me.

Basically, these goats came from the Cameroon Valley of West Africa (hence the name). These super adorable-looking goats were then shipped to the U.S. in the late 50s. Mostly farmers look for keeping these goats as pets because they provide a rather huge amount of milk; approximately 4 lbs per day. In addition, the goats are also useful for the large amount of meat they can provide. Besides them being included as farm animals, the goats are often adopted as house pets.

Essential Care

In order to follow proper pet care instructions, understanding the requirements of the goat is essential. Now your reasons for keeping this goat can be many; right from dairy farms to goat farming to household pets. Whatever your reasons may be, correct steps need to be taken to ensure the animal's well-being.

African Pygmy Goat Information
Appearance	Males Male goats are called "Bucks" Weight: 60 - 85 lb Height: 16 - 23 inches Females Female goats are called "Does" Weight: 51 - 75 lb Height: 16 - 23 inches
Colors	White caramel, dark caramel, red caramel Light-grey agouti, medium-grey agouti, dark-grey agouti Black w/ frosted points Complete black
Domestic Habitat	In barnyard: good ventilation, free of draft Keep out of cold and rain Tall fence all around to keep dogs out Enough space to wander around No barbed wires Concrete floors w/ high wooden platforms
Diet	Little grains, 3 times a week Yes - fruits, vegetables, leaves, and bread Yes - alfalfa cubes, alfalfa, and prairie hay No - onions, oleander, rhododendrons, houseplants, and bulb plants
Temperament	Friendly Docile Curious Playful Intelligent
Reproduction	Have more than 1 reproductive cycle each year Gestation period - 151 days long Bear 1 - 4 young ones every 9 - 12 months Female pygmies bred first at 12 - 18 months of age Females capable of conceiving at 2 months of age as well No specific breeding time during the year
Life Span	8 - 12 years

Important Facts

The table, mentioned above, was all about administering proper care to the newborns and adults. Now in this section, we will go over some interesting facts about these cute and lovable pygmy goats.

• Pygmy goats have been tamed for about 10,000 years now; initially in Middle Eastern countries.
• Another miniature breed of goats is called the Nigerian dwarf goat; very easily confused with the African ones.
• The African pygmy can lactate from 6 months to 10 months.
• Male pygmy goats have an odor; if females are kept away from males, they have less offensive livestock odor.
• Males have scent glands behind and in between the horns. They also have other, tiny scent glands at different locations.
• Females have short, straight horns; compared to the males.
• Males tend to urinate on their beards and sometimes front legs.
• The pygmies can survive in various conditions; also in locations with very little food.
• These goats can jump and climb splendidly.
• They drink water only (fresh), otherwise they won't drink water at all.

Typically, it is advised that the pygmy goats should be kept away from other animals. The reason, other species or animals can harm them by preying on them. Perhaps after reading the helpful information in the article, you are more clear about the general requirements of breeding or farming these animals.