What goat was I tricked into getting?

[laxrick]

My wife really wanted some pygmy goats. I looked them up, thought it would be fine if she had a few, and began looking for some. Someone claimed to have two pygmy goats, so I picked them for her. I also picked up another goat from a different place.

Problem is... well those first two goats are not pygmy goats. The male has huge horns and the female is much stockier than a pygmy. The other pygmy goat we picked up was definitely a pygmy goat; it looked exactly as we anticipated.

The lady estimated this goat at 30lbs, but after picking up a cage with him in it, I'm thinking he's more like 60+ lbs.

Can anyone identify these two goats so I at least know what I have.

P.S. We are mad because we have to keep the ACTUAL pygmy separate from the OX we got.

 

[mcg30_40]

I have a billy about that size but he is only a few months old. I've learned there are different sizes of pygmy goats. Some of the older generations call the larger "pygmy" ones brush goats. They are smaller than full size goats but larger than true pygmys.

 

[buck-wild-chick]

idk lol sorry

 

[MissPrissy]

Why do you have to keep them separate?

They need to interact to become a herd.

My tiniest nigerian dwarf (30lbs) runs with my largest does (175lbs) and they all interact well. There is a herd order that has to be established.

Your goats are most likely a mixed breed with some pygmy in them. The first photo looks like it has some nigerian in it. Not all pygmies are tiny. Some are fairly good sized.

As to the horns? Lots of goats have horns. We do not disbud ours. Infact some pure bred associations disallow disbudded goats from being registered.

You know, no one made you bring the first two home. Don't be mad at anyone but yourself.

Treat those goats well and they will be loving and affectionate. Right now being in a new home they are under lots of stress

If you so dislike the horns there is banding as well as removal by a vet but those can be very dangerous. The horns on your goats are part of their sinus cavity. Removing them can be fatal.

You learn to handle the goats with horns and they will learn to be careful around you with their horns.

I think both in the photos are sweet and fabulous to look at. Very pretty.

 

[justhatchin]

Those are about the size and color of what I call pygmys Looks like mine but I try to dehorn )and others here also call them that. The one that is smaller I have heard called midgets. They are smaller than the pygmys. You will also have more problems with the smaller one as in at birthing if you are breeding it.

The buck looks to be about 3 years and the brn doe? looks young like about 7 months to a year.

What are the ages- a young pygmy is much smaller than say a 2 yr old.

pics of the smaller one.?

 

[laxrick]

I would love to combine the smaller male with the larger pair, but neither male is neutered, the female is pregnant, and I just don't know how they would react.

My wife was anticipating goats like the smaller one:

 

[laxrick]

Both the larger male and the female are about two years old, the smaller one is 7 months.

 

[MissPrissy]

Mating season is over. My bucks run with my does now without incident.

 

[laxrick]

My question is: can the 25lb. buck, the 60+lb. buck, and the pregnant doe be housed together and graze together safely?

 

[MissPrissy]

I have 30lb does, 175 lb does and 100lbs bucks together.

They get along well. They are a herd.