goat with hens???

[LilRedRoo]

No breed of goat is better off alone. So no, pygmies are not better of being kept with chickens and no herd animal companion.

I have to "x3" Stacykins...I hope I didn't mislead you that a goat can be by itself with chickens as a replacement herd. We had the one for the sole purpose of being part of a herd, but they had to be QT'd first, so in the interim he was alone with the chickens. But they definitely need companions, which is why wethers are so common in small herds; example - one buck in a dairy herd...usually not kept with the doe due to breeding schedule, so he and the wethers are a buck-group seperate from the ladies...

 

[OrpObsessed]

Sorry if this is a repeat, but I didn't read through all the other posts first. A goat needs another goat for sure. If you're wondering if its ok to mix chicken with goats, it really depends. Goats can get coccidiosis from the chicken poop, I wouldn't worry much if they have plenty of land, but if they are in a small area, I wouldn't risk it. Also there has been some research done where something from chickens may cause miscarriage in a pregnant goat, but I haven't had that happen. I have a few chickens run with my goats, but not very many and the area of land is a good enough amount of space not to do any harm. They are rather cute together, especially when the chickens perch on their backside.