~~~The Care of Keeping African Pygmy Goats~~~ Got Them~PICS~

[The Wolf Queen]

Please note that at first I thought the kids were Nigerian Dwarfs but they are actually african pygmies hence how the conversation changed after I posted pics.

Well yesterday my mom and I got suckered into buying 2 baby, what I think are, Nigerian Dwarf (or African Pygmy) goats. Well the only thing I ever raised was a mixed whether so I have a couple of questions. I'm not sure but if these 2 kids (a doeling and a buckling) aren't related I would like to breed them and I need to know the basic facts on breeding goats (Gestation period, are they like dogs as in can the doe only get pregnant when she is in heat, how do I tell if she is in heat, what the youngest and oldest age a goat can be bred at etc) and do Nigerian dwarfs have to be milked every day (are they dairy goats?) or do they only get milk when they have kids? I think that's about all of my questions for now but I will probably add more later lol, and I know there are several experienced goat keepers on here so thanks in advance for all the help everyone

 

[Melissakins]

Does can only get pregnant when they're in heat - usually in the fall. You'll know when she's in heat. She'll "flag" her tail and will have a mucousy discharge and be very flirtatious around the boys. The buck will start to be more vocal around this time too and start acting obnoxious and will be smellier

They can only produce milk from having given birth to a kid(s). Best to not breed a doe that's very young as she's not fully developed. When milking, twice a day every day until she drops in production or until you decide to dry her up is usual and what is best for the doe. Otherwise she can develop what is known as mastitis.

You'll have to take her kid(s) away from her and bottle feed them some of the milk (make sure they get the colostrum first!) . Otherwise, you won't get enough for yourself.

 

[The Wolf Queen]

Thanks Melissakins for the info. That is extremely helpful

Actually I dont really have any use for goats milk, I was just curious. Oh and what age would you consider too young or too old to breed? Thanks again

 

[mylittlezoo]

Nigis are NOT seasonal breeders. They are unlike other goats in that they can breed all year round. If the male is over 8 weeks, you need to separate them - she should not be bred until she is big enough. If she IS a Nigi, that'll probably be around 7-8 months of age, and that is the minimum really, IMO.

 

[Melissakins]

Younger than 7-10 months would be too young for the doe to be bred, but bucks have been known to be fertile at the age of three months

so I'd separate them - as they're a herd animal, that may be harsh to do that unless you have another animal that can be buddies with each of them if all you have are the doeling and buckling. Maybe a wether for each? or another young doe for the doe you already have and a wether for the buck you have.

Too old, don't know specifically.

http://www.adga.org/index.shtml has some GREAT info. http://www.adga.org/facts.htm

Was a member for years til I got married

Info on Nigerian Dwarfs - http://www.ndga.org/about.html

 

[ksalvagno]

Most people don't breed their Nigerian Dwarfs until about 18 months of age. They just aren't like the other dairy goats.

The buck will need to be separated. Most separate the bucks at around 8-10 weeks old when they are weaned from milk.

Nigerians are dairy goats but you don't have to milk them if you don't want to. I know several Nigerian Dwarf breeders who never milk and just let their does dry up when they are done nursing their kids.

You will probably want to get buddies for the goats since they will be upset to be alone. You will probably have more problems with them trying to get out if they are alone.

Good luck with your new goats.

 

[The Wolf Queen]

So whats their gestation period?

 

[Melissakins]

Quote:
145 to 153 days

 

[Skyesrocket]

You might be better off having the buckling wethered. An intact billy can be a smelly obnoxious animal to be around. Not worth the trouble of having around for only one doe.
Like the others said, they will need to be seperated, which can lead to a bunch of crying and carrying on. If he is wethered he can be with her all of the time.

 

[cmjust0]

Not to sound mean or anything, but do you really know much about raising goats? Such as...what to feed and what not to feed, dealing with internal parasites, what vaccinations to give and when, common illnesses and treatments, feeding requirements of different sexes and all their different life stages, etc..

I ask because there's a lot more to raising goats successfully than most people realize.