How to Care for Pygmy Goats

If you're searching for a pet to keep in your backyard or to add to your current collection of animals, a Pygmy goat is a great option. Though this breed requires some specialized care, once you understand their needs, it becomes quite manageable. In fact, Pygmy goats can thrive in most climates as long as they have a proper shelter. You also need to provide them with suitable food and monitor their health to enjoy their companionship for years to come.

Determine the Type of Shelter. Consider the climate of your area when deciding on the type of shelter to build. If you live in a mild climate, your goats may not need as sturdy a shelter as those in harsher climates. At the very least, construct a structure with three sides to protect them from wind and rain. However, in areas with severe winters, you will need to build a more enclosed shelter to protect the goats, even if it's a small one. The key is to shield them from bad weather.

Consider the Number of Goats. The size of the shelter will depend on the number of goats. Generally, you need to allocate 1.5 to 2 square meters per goat.

• For a single goat, you should build a shelter with an area of 1.5 to 2 square meters, such as 1x1.5m or 1.2x1.5m. If you have 5 goats, the shelter should be about 7 to 9 square meters, approximately 2.5x2.7m or 3x3m.
• In fact, you can use a spacious dog kennel as a shelter for a single Pygmy goat if you're keeping it in your backyard.

Build Dividers in the Shelter. If you have multiple goats, you should install dividers to ensure each goat has its own space. The ideal flooring for the shelter is a layer of clay topped with gravel. This type of flooring is easy to clean, and after a few years, you can add another layer.

• Dry hay is a suitable bedding material. Usually, goats don't eat what is on the floor.
• Additionally, you'll need to install feeding troughs for your goats.

Install a Fence. The best type of fence for Pygmy goats is a wire mesh fence. To prevent the goats from jumping over, the fence should be at least 1.2 meters high.

Create Climbing Areas for the Goats. Goats love to climb, so it's important to provide climbing structures for them. Items like camping tables work well for entertaining the goats. You can also build dirt hills for them to explore. They will love it.

• Old tires can also be a fun toy for your beloved goats.

Buy at Least Two Goats. Goats are social animals, so it's recommended to have more than one. They enjoy living in groups and prefer the company of other goats.

Let the goats graze on wild plants. Goats can consume grass, shrubs, and herbaceous plants, though they particularly enjoy the latter two more than grass. Herbaceous plants are wild weeds like dandelions or clover. During the summer, your goats might only need to graze on pastures if you have plenty of land. You will need around 1,000 square meters of land per goat.

• If you have a herd of goats, you’ll need more pasture to meet their needs. Additionally, it's a good idea to rotate grazing areas to allow the grass to regenerate.

Try feeding your goats dried alfalfa hay. If you don't have enough pasture for your goats, you can feed them dried alfalfa hay instead of letting them graze in the fields.

• Each goat will require about 0.5-1 kg of feed daily. However, they will eat less if they are given grain.

Supplement their diet with grains. Goats need more food during the winter. Additionally, kids and lactating does will require additional grains even during the summer.

• Grains such as corn, barley, and oats are suitable for goats.

Provide plenty of water for your goats. Like all animals, goats need water to survive. Water is especially important for goats because they are ruminants, meaning they need more water to process their food compared to other animals. You must ensure that your goats always have access to clean water.

• Remember to regularly clean the water troughs.

Brush your goat daily. Use a stiffer brush to clean off any visible dirt on your goat's coat, and then follow up with a softer brush (such as a horsehair brush) to smooth their fur. Additionally, inspect the goat's skin for any lumps or bumps, as these could be signs of infection or injuries.

• Generally, you don't need to trim your goat's coat unless you're preparing it for a show.

Bathe your goat only if it's infested with parasites. Typically, brushing is enough for your goat. When bathing your goat, use lukewarm water to ensure it doesn't get cold. Use pet shampoo or goat-specific bath oils, and wear bathing gloves for ease. Rinse off all soap thoroughly.

• If the goat wears a collar, it will be easier to manage, as you can use it to hold the goat while you bathe it.

Provide Vitamin A. Pygmy goats need Vitamin A in their diet to stay healthy. They usually get this vitamin from grazing on green grass or other plants in the field. However, if they aren't consuming enough of these foods, try adding corn to their diet for extra Vitamin A.

Supplement with Vitamin D. Just like humans, goats need Vitamin D to absorb calcium and maintain strong bones. If your goats are grazing outdoors, they'll naturally get Vitamin D from sunlight. However, if they aren't exposed to much sun, you should consider feeding them sun-cured hay (not heat-dried hay) or irradiated yeast to provide sufficient Vitamin D.

Supplement pasture goats with essential minerals. For goats that graze solely on pasture (instead of being fed alfalfa hay and grains), it's a good idea to add a mixture of iodized salt, ground limestone, and animal bones (cooked and crushed) to their diet.

• Generally, you can leave these mineral mixtures in a separate bucket for the goats to consume freely as they desire.

Administer Selenium injections. Selenium is a vital nutrient, and it's especially necessary if white muscle disease is common in your area, as selenium helps prevent this condition. Newborn goats should also receive a selenium injection.

• This disease causes muscle calcification, which turns muscles white, which is where it gets its name.

Give goats their annual vaccinations. At a minimum, goats need to be vaccinated against tetanus and botulism. You can usually purchase these vaccines at feed stores and administer them yourself. You may also want to consult with a vet regarding rabies vaccinations.

• Additionally, it's a good idea to vaccinate your goats with the Clostridium CD vaccine.

Schedule an annual health checkup for your goats. To ensure that your goats stay healthy, it’s best to arrange for an annual health check. This will help ensure they are fully vaccinated and give you peace of mind that they are healthy.

Trim your goat’s hooves regularly. Goat hooves naturally grow longer, and if they aren't trimmed, your goats may experience difficulty walking.

• To trim their hooves, you’ll need gloves, hoof trimmers, and a hoof knife.
• Have someone assist in holding the goat while you trim the hooves.
• Look for the growth rings on the hooves to guide your trimming. Trim the hooves down to the level of the growth rings.

• When raising kids, you may need to remove their horns while they are still young to prevent them from injuring you as they grow. It's recommended to trim their horns when they are about 2 weeks old.