Pygmy Goats

[dragracer]

Does anybody have pygmy goats. We are thinking about getting one so any info would be helpful. Also, do they get along with chickens?

Thanks,
Nicole

 

[Haviris]

I've had pygmies goats, they will be fine w/ chickens. But you are going to want to get atleast two, they are herd animals and do better w/ a companion.

 

[Bettacreek]

The bird guy near me has a pygmy goat. He had it in the house, then moved it to the bird trailor. I swear, if I had the space for goats, that would be my choice. That little girl was just entirely too sweet.

 

[mekasmom]

Pygmy's are escape artists more than any other breed. I love them. They are sweet, adorable, easy to care for, and just a wonderful breed. You do need to get them in pairs or groups. And have a good fence because you will need it. Hand feed them six or seven times a day. Just bring them a carrot or a couple of cheerios. You need to teach them to come to you and follow you. They escape easily, so they need to know to follow you back into the pen.

 

[cutiepieacres]

I have about 15 pygmies that I raise and show. They are all big lap goats and when I am down in the pen every single one is in my face trying to get my attention and a few are climbing up into my lap. They love their people but they still need at least one other goat buddy their size to play with. I do have big tall fences but my fences are intended to keep predetors out as pygmies can fall prey to even the sweetest nieghborhood dog, but keeping my girls in is easy I could give them a 3' fence and no one would get out. They love their alfalfa and grain and speical cookies but not really anything else they are super picky, they are not like the dairy girls I had who ate almost everything they saw. I started off showing Alpine dairy goats and got a few pygmies for fun, I now have had just the pygmies for about 8 years and adore them.

 

[bheila]

I have 2 Pygmies and 1 Pygmy/Nigi cross and I love them. They have a 4ft high fence and have never gotten out once and I don't have hotwire fencing. They are like dogs and follow me around the yard. Goats ARE herd animals, you need more then one. I had my wether by himself and he was just miserable. Once I got my first doe his whole attitude changed. They are a blast to watch, like little jumping beans. I have started to get rid of most of my 100 chickens because I'm having more fun with the goats and the goats are cheaper to feed for me.

 

[agnes_day]

i have only had them for a couple of weeks but i love them! they are easy to care for, they dont run off like my dog...cheap to feed and very lovable.
my boy rides to the store with me almost every day! hes my car goat!

 

[dragracer]

Do you have to get two or can you start with one? I was going to keep him w/chickens. Don't think hubby will let me have two at this time. What feed do you typically feed them

 

[bheila]

You shouldn't have just 1 goat. They are herd animals, they get lonely. They will cry all of the time. Trust me I know! I thought I could just get 1 and he'd be fine because I was outside all of the time and I would be his companion. Boy was I stupid and wrong! I should have listened to everyone else when they told me you can't get just 1 goat. He was terribly lonely even though he was in the pasture with my other animals.

 

[griffin45]

We have one Pygmy with our small herd and she is the neediest of the bunch. The Nubians used to be. She is a little sweetie, but not much good for anything but a pet. You absolutely must have at least 2 goats. One alone will be very unhappy! The pygmy that we have we rescued because her mate died and she was alone. They just don't do well without friends to pick on!

Chris