Pygmy goat

A pygmy goat is a small breed of domestic goat. Although they produce a large amount of milk for their size, and can be eaten, pygmy goats are not typically used for milk or meat, unlike larger dairy and meat goat breeds. Pygmy goats tend to be more robust and breed more continually throughout the year than either dairy or meat goats. They have stomachs with four compartments: the rumen, the reticulum, the omasum, and the abomasum. As browsers, goats are similar to deer and enjoy variety in their diet, including woody plants.

Appearance

Females weigh about 23 to 34 kg (35 to 50 lbs) and males about 27 to 39 kg (40 to 60 lb). Their color can range from light/white carmel, medium carmel, dark carmel, dark (red) carmel, silver-light grey agouti, medium grey agouti, dark grey agouti, black with frosted points, solid black, and brown agouti.

Housing

Pet pygmy goats can live in a large dog house or small shed. Their housing should be well-ventilated, but free from drafts. It is convenient to have a concrete floor covered with a rubber mat and sawdust or straw for bedding; the floor should be tilted towards the door to make cleaning simple. In the winter, cleaning is needed less often because goats keep the straw warm as their bed. A small bench will suit the goat as a little bed.

Diet

A pygmy goat's diet consists of forage, including hay (rough hay is good), and concentrates — i.e., grains such as oats, bran, barley.

It is important to select good quality hay to maximize its nutritional content. Hay, such as grass, alfalfa or oat, should have fine stems and a nice green color. Hay should be fed in feeders that keep it off the ground.

Grain or grain mixes supply added protein, vitamins, and minerals. There are a variety of grain mixes formulated specifically for goats that contain 16% protein. As an alternative, rolled ration, otherwise known as COB, contains corn, oats, and barley with or without molasses. It contains about 9% protein and no added vitamins and minerals.

Grain may or may not be necessary as part of a goat's diet, depending on whether one is feeding a buck, wether, or doe. Wethers are susceptible to urinary problems and a low protein grain ration is recommended. Bucks, however, need an adequate amount of grain to maintain sperm production and to keep in good weight. Wethers, once full grown, may do fine with no grain at all, if fed good quality hay.

Female Diet

A doe's needs vary depending on whether she is dry (not producing milk), pregnant, or lactating (producing milk). Does need adequate protein and nutrients for fetal development and milk production, but too much of a good thing may cause obesity, which can lead to kidding problems and/or a variety of health problems.

Minerals

Salt and minerals are a vital part of a goat's diet and are found in a variety of sources including hay, pasture, grain, soil, and supplements. Bones are composed of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P), therefore, Ca and P must be in a goat's diet in adequate amounts for it to have good bone and muscle development. Even a mature animal must have adequate Ca and P to maintain bone structure. The ratio of Ca and P is quite important-it should be 2:1 in a goat's diet. This ratio is not only important for bone development, but also aids in urinary tract health in male goats.

Salt and minerals are available in block form or loose, and should be available to the goats at all times. Be very careful with feeding supplements to goats that have been developed for horses and cattle. They generally contain much higher levels of copper than goats can metabolize and toxic levels can build up in a goat's body, resulting in poisoning. The soil in some areas may lack Selenium (Se), thus selenium must be added to goats living in those areas to prevent white muscle disease. Usually Se is given by an injection of vitamin E and Se (BoSe) at birth and twice a year after that.

Origin

Pygmy goats originated in the Cameroon Valley of West Africa. They were imported into the United States from European zoos in the 1950s for use in zoos and as a research animal. They were eventually acquired by private breeders and quickly gained popularity as pets and exhibition animals due to their good-natured personalities, friendliness and hardy constitution.

References

*Colby, Brian, et al. "Dairy goats-breeding/feeding/management". American Goat Society. 1972.
*Kinne, Maxine. "Pygmy goat care and management". 1987.
*National Pygmy Goat Association. "Best of Memo I". 1982.
*National Pygmy Goat Association. "Best of Memo II". 1989.
*National Pygmy Goat Association. "Color Choices for Registration". 2003.

External links

[http://www.npga-pygmy.com/ National Pygmy Goat Association (United States)]