Pygmy Goats as Pets

[scrambledmess]

I was thinking of getting a pygmy goat as a pet. Do they make good ones? Are they general friendly? I know breeding males of the goat variety can be very smelling. What about a buck that was neutered (correct word?)? Without the hormones, do they become as smelly? Should I just stick with a doe? How much do they eat in comparison to full size goats? Could I house a pygmy in a dog house as we don't have a barn? We have this dog house:

Thanks for any help. This would be a pet to run around the yard and actual play with like a little dog. We would have a fenced area around the dog house when we weren't home to be out with the goat. I had a pet goat as a child. She was so much more fun then the dogs. I was wanting to get one for my 7 yo daughter, but something of a smaller variety.

 

[chickn]

Quote:
my Nigerian is a wether and he doesn't smell, he was bottle raised a lot of fun. my pygmy was mother goat raised, she is nice but not like he is. i believe its the bottle raised thing makes a nice pet goat.

i believe you should have 2 goats, thats what i was told thats why i have 2. mine are in a dog kennel run and an igloo for house. they are awesome hope this helps. oh we have a roof on the run for rainy days

 

[ksalvagno]

Wethers (neutered males) do not smell. Either a Pygmy or Nigerian Dwarf would work for you. I would get at least 2. They get too lonely if they are the only one. Dam raised can be friendly if they have been handled all along. I dam raise my Nigerians but I spend a lot of time with them so they are friendly too. It would be cheaper to get the wethers. You would want a large dog house. I'm not sure how large the dog house is that you have. If you live in the city, make sure you are allowed to have livestock as goats are considered livestock. Good luck with your search.

 

[Sherry]

I have two dam raised does, but I had my hands on them as soon as Mama dried them off, and they are annoyingly friendly.

I would get 2 also, as some of the games they like to play, as in head butting, you won't want to play with them.

But they are a herd animal and need at least one other of their kind.

 

[gumpsgirl]

I have two Pygmy's and yes, they do make good pets but are very hard headed ones. When they get something into their head they will do anything in their power to do it! Even if it means butting you out of the way. I've had horns stuck in my thighs (not stuck literally, just placed there

) more than once and at times they could make me scream. To be honest, I like my Saanen/Alpine cross milk goat better than my pygmy's! She is less bullheaded and so much more gentle, plus the fact that she is giving something back to my family.

As far as housing them in a dog house, that's what we use and it works great! Be sure to place the dog house away from the fence you are keeping them in though because these little buggers are climbers. Mine are always on top of their house and would be able to jump over the fence if their house was close enough to it.

Wethers make great pets, as already pointed out, but I will say that my sisters wethered goat was very smelly. I'm not sure why if they aren't suppose to stink, but hers was terrible. Maybe it just depends on the wether themselves?

 

[Nature Watcher]

We have Nigerian Dwarfs and we love them. We do have weathers and they do not smell. I do not really know much about Pygmy's though.

We are selling four Nigerian Dwarf kids if you are interested. (We still have one mother to kid.) We live in Pennsylvania but, I don't know where in Ohio you live so I don't know how close you are. You can PM me if you want more information or pics.

 

[pride&joy]

Ok so like most folks say two goats will be much happier than one. A dog house to get out of the rain is necessary (goats don’t like rain). Wethers (castrated males) will make great pets and not have the bucky behavior that comes with intact males. On the other hand a doe will give you milk (good stuff). Also the goats will do a number on landscaping and garden so a pen for them would be a good idea. We have several goats mostly bottle raised kids that will follow you around and know to their names. Good luck

 

[scrambledmess]

Thanks for the replies. Very helpful!!!

Which are better for pets, the pygmy or dwarf? I would love a doe to get milk, but I really do not think I could get anyone to milk her for me. I am gone from home 12 hrs a day and know that is too long and inconsistant for milking.

 

[Chickiezz]

Quote:
If you have more questions you should sign up at backyardherds.com,they have an extensive goat section that is quite interesting.

I would love to get some goats myself,but I live in the city,and can't get anymore animals.

Pooey.

haha

 

[ksalvagno]

I love my Nigerian Dwarfs. I haven't had experience with Pygmies. The one thing I do like about Nigerians over Pygmies is that they don't get as wide as Pygmies. I'm in Ohio too and have 4 kids already and some more on the way. They are so fun! Here are some pictures. I will be selling the kids.

little buckling born 3/27/10

little doeling born on 3/27/10

little doeling born on 3/10/10

little doeling born on 3/10/10