Miniature goats are the newest entrant in the pet adoption world. Pygmy goats are delightful creatures that will always remain small. They are a miniature version of the healthy goats. Dwarf goats have a lifespan of 15 years and are gentle and loveable. These make excellent pets, and your tenderness will make them feel like a companion. Miniature goats originated from Western Africa and were later brought to the States.
Body parameters
Miniature goats can be 20 -23 inches tall from the shoulder, and the average weight is between 24 to 40 pounds. They have no suave refinement, and have small, compact bodies. Usually, miniature flags look like dwarfs with short limbs, a broad forehead, characteristic sharp horns, and a muzzle nose.
Body coats
Miniature goat breeds have a variety of body coats ranging from dark black, greys, and agoutis. They have a medium-density coat, which changes with the seasons. Adult male pygmy goats have a characteristic beard.
Environment suitable for a miniature goat
These can be easily kept in your backyard or porch, but they need to be optimized according to the needs of the goat. On average, the animal requires anywhere between 850 to 1250 square feet to sustain happily. It’s biologically a ruminant, so you need to ensure the place has grass and edible vegetation. You need to design the site in such a way that there’s a variety of plants ranging from bushes, flowers, and small shrubs.
The area also needs a good fencing and a small closed hut or enclosure to hide and spend the entire night in. The ideal size for a bit for your miniature goat should be 8 feet high,24 inches wide, and 6 feet in depth. It’s also necessary to provide sufficient bedding and straw material in the hut to keep them warm when the temperature drops. They can usually adapt to any climate and are well suited for all places.
Food habits
Miniature goats usually have a minimal appetite as compared to their standard-sized counterparts. The usual go-to grass should be mandatory in their living quarters. Other vegetation can be added, and a mix of all kinds of food is available for it. It’s important to add fruits and vegetables in their daily diet along with fresh hay from time to time.
It can quickly die from intoxication, and you need to ensure not to feed any household leftovers. Wheat and Cedar, in general, can be life-threatening for your miniature goat. Mineral deficiencies are quite common, and you need to ask your breeder to give you the mineral salt licks formula. Having a proper goat shed that’s well-ventilated and insulated, a nutrient-dense diet, and healthy vegetation to remain and flock merrily is essential.
Health issues
Pygmy goats are dwarf goats that are fully grown yet are small in size. It is essential to keep checking for any unusual symptoms of disease conditions like that of a bacterial disease called Johne’s disease and caprine arthritis encephalitis within the breeds. Also, deworming should be taken very seriously, and they need to be vaccinated to prevent any morbidity issue.
Reproduction and milk production
These goats can also be used for milk production. On average, they produce about two quarts of about 5-11 percent full butterfat milk. The usual milk production cycle lasts for about 4 to 6 months every year. They are nonseasonal breeders and can give birth to a young one at any time of the year.
Caring for your pygmy goat
When raising a pygmy goat as a pet, you need to take into consideration it’s behavior and attitudes. This breed is amiable and active and is well adapted to all kinds of conditions. They are usually gentle, friendly, and docile and are well suited to human friendliness and care. They are very responsive to human emotions and may also express emotions and feelings of attention and love.
Activity routine
This breed is naturally very active and loves jumping and romping around. Baby miniature goats are incredibly high on stamina, and trying to stop once they are involved in an activity is difficult. Breeders suggest building an obstacle course and activity path for them, which will keep them and you entertained for hours together.
These miniature goats can prove to be your best friend and companion and are gentle and easy to raise with love and proper care. House-training them can be done in a hassle-free manner, and they learn and adapt very quickly. You can potty train them and teach them to stop unnecessary biting and chewing. They are wise creatures who will respond to your love when you deal with them with kindness and patience. Pygmy goats require regular attention and care, and you need to invest quality time for them. Adopt them today and find a companion for a lifetime.
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