How To Care for Pygmy Goats

Caring for Pygmy goats is not that different from caring for any other species of goat, or any other animal for that matter, just in smaller portions. Pygmy goats need food, water and shelter just like the rest of us.

Food for Pygmy goats includes:

1. Grains that can be fed such as oats, corn, goat ration and sweet feed. It is important to include goat ration and sweet feed to ensure that the goats get the vitamins and minerals they need. Each Pygmy goat should be fed ¼ cup of grain twice daily. Grain should be fed in a trough off the ground to prevent the grain from being soiled by the goats.

2. Forage that can be fed includes alfalfa hay and grass hay. Feeding alfalfa hay is important for the roughage and calcium that it provides and grass hay is an excellent source of roughage and vitamin A. It is important to feed hay in a hay trough located off the ground where it cannot be soiled by the goats.
3. A mineral/salt block should also be available to the goats and should be off the ground as well.

Water is important for the health of Pygmy goats.

1. Water should be available at all times.
2. It should be kept clean as possible, and changed when needed.
3. It should be in a bucket, located off the ground, but within reach for the smallest goats in the herd.

Shelter for Pygmy goats can be anything from open pasture to barn stalls. Requirements that best suit Pygmy goats are:

1. A structure that keeps the goats out of the sun, wind, rain and cold.

2. A pasture that provides good forbs and browse, and plants such as dandelions, clover or brushes and vines, not just grasses.
3. The type of fencing used is important also. It is best to use 48" cattle wire, because it is stronger and will last longer than other types of wire.

Other care that Pygmy goats need will be:

1. Vaccinations, such as the 3-way goat vaccination that covers type C & D Perfringens of Enterotoxemia and Tetanus, should be given annually.

2. Wormers, such as Ivermectine and Panacur, should be given every 3-4 months.
3. Pygmy goats will need their hooves trimmed every 2 months or so.

Pygmy goats are very enjoyable to watch, especially the kids and young does and bucks. They enjoy playing, like any goat, so keeping them entertained is somewhat important. In order to do this, place a picnic table with benches in their pen and watch them pretend it is a mountain as they jump back and forth on it. They also enjoy rocks and boulders that are large enough for them to climb on and jump off. These items will keep them entertained for hours, and usually anyone who is watching them as well.