How Big Do Pygmy Goats Get?
If you were wondering how big does a pygmy goat  get, it will help to know that an adult full grown pygmy goat stands about as tall as an adult’s knee. In more specific terms, that means that an adult pygmy goat will grow to about 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulders.  Think big goats but in small terms.  If you’ve been intimated by the size of raising large goats this type might be for you.  They are small enough that you can even pick them up and load them in your vehicle.Pygmy Goat Terminology:
Buck: Male goat that is uncastrated. Wether:Â Castrated male Doe: Female goat Nanny Goat: Mother goat. Yearly: One year old goat. Kid: Baby goat.Milk Production
Though pygmy goats originally were kept only as pets, their popularity as a milk goat is growing. This small goat can produce on average between 1 to 2 quarts of milk per day. Their milking period though after giving birth is shorter than most other goats at just 120 to 180 days per year. Keep in mind that in order to have milk production your pygmy goat will need to have a yearly kid. Â When you have baby goats you will need to have an outlet to sell them or your herd will rapidly grow. Â You will also need to have a setup to milk each day. Â And vacations are out of the question when your goats need to be milked, often twice a day, their popularity as a milk goat is growing. This small goat can produce on average between 1 to 2 quarts of milk per day. Their milking period though after giving birth is shorter than most other goats at just 120 to 180 days per year. Keep in mind that in order to have milk production your pygmy goat will need to have a yearly kid. Â When you have baby goats you will need to have an outlet to sell them or your herd will rapidly grow. Â You will also need to have a setup to milk each day. Â And vacations are out of the question when your goats need to be milked often twice a day.Longevity
The pygmy goat lifespan is about 8 to 10 years. Overall pygmy goats are healthy creatures with few problems. Â How long your pygmy goat will live will also depend on the care that it receives. Â Food, shelter, exercise and proper health care will all play into how long your pygmy goat will live. Â Genetics also play into the longevity factor.Gestation
The amount of time that a doe carries it’s kids are from approximately 145 to 155 days. That’s not long compared to some other farm animals like horses and alpacas that carry their offspring up to a year. Â Singles and twins are the most common although Pygmy goats can have triplets.Pygmy Goat Care
Shelter
Pygmy Goats are going to need shelter to keep out of the weather. Even if you live in a mild climate they still will need a place to get out of the sun and rain or hail. Goats are easy keepers and can get away with a 3 sided building with a good roof. I like to make pole buildings for my animals on our farm because the buildings won’t blow away. But any large type of dog house can also be used for pgymy goats. Keep in mind though that you may want it big enough so that you can get in there and shovel out the manure.Food
Unless you live in an area with many acres of year round access to grass, your goats will need some hay. This is especially important in the winter when they may not be able to get to the dried up grasses. If you don’t have your own hay making equipment, you can seek out local people who may sell you hay. Buying local is usually going to be your least expensive route. In general the further that hay has to travel to you, the more expensive it is. You may also want to look into a pellet formula for your goats but it most likely will be more expensive than hay. It is recommended that each goat will need a pound or two of feed a day. Plan for extra just to be safe. You don’t want to find that you fall short before the next hay season. Finding food in the off season and get touch and expensive.Water Source
Pygmy Goats will need access to a constant water supply. This mean in the winter if you live in an area where it gets cold enough for water to freeze, you will need to heat your water. Both floating and submerged stock tank heaters are inexpensive. What could be costly is running electric out to where you plan on housing your pygmy goats. You’ll also want to have a water fountain close to where you will be watering your goats. Otherwise you’ll be running a hose out to them. Well that may work ok in the summer, it will be a real pain in the winter when hoses can freeze up.Vaccinations
Pygmy Goats should get vaccinated against enterotoxemia and also tetnus. Some people like to also vaccinate their goats against rabies. Ask you vet what diseases are the most prevalent in your area.Minerals
Goats are like all animals and humans included in that they will need trace minerals. You should be able to buy goat minerals locally at your feed store. The minerals should be kept in a tray or somewhere fastened to a wall so that the pygmy goats don’t knock it over. Goats are known for being playful and curious. If you don’t want something moved you will have to fasten it down or to a wall. Pygmy goats, in particular, need Vitamin A. They can get most of their daily allowance of Vitamin A from fresh green grass or hay. But you may want to supplement with corn. Some people need to inject Selenium into their pygmy goats. Selenium injections will help to prevent white muscle disease which is common in pygmy goats. It’s a good idea to deal with your local vet to see if Selenium is needed for your goats. Â A lot will depend on how much Vitamin A is in your soil.Fencing
Despite their small stature, pygmy goats are great climbers and jumpers. They are going to need to be fenced in so that you don’t have them walking off to the neighbor’s place. Goat owners recommend a fence at least 4 feet tall but the bigger the better for these agile jumpers. I have several neighbors with goats and it seems they are all always working on their goat fencing. Â Yet no matter how many hours they spend redoing the fencing, their goats are always finding a way out. Â It will pay off to put time and effort into good and high fencing.Livestock Protection
You may want to consider livestock protection dogs or a burro to protect your pygmy goats. Being so small Pygmy Goats can easily fall victim to predators. When you add in livestock protection animals they too will have special needs such as fencing and food. A tall fence possibly with a hot wire on the top will help to keep your livestock protectors in.Climbing Areas
Pygmy goats love to climb. To keep your pygmy goat herd happy, it’s best to include several things that they can climb and play on. If you have natural landscaping items like boulders or mounds of dirt, that will work great. If you don’t have natural landscaping then try using big wooden spools, or tractor tires. Some people like to go all out and make a full playground area for their pygmy goats. Â You are only limited by your time, imagination and money. Â So many recycled or re-purposed items would make great climbing toys for goats.Hoof Trimmings
Your Pygmy Goats will need their hooves trimmed. If you are planning on doing this yourself, then make sure to get hoof shears. You’ll need to securely hold your goat while you trim each hoof. At least two people helping will make this task easier. One to trim and one to hold the goat. If you aren’t comfortable with trimming your pygmy goats hooves, you will need to hire someone. That will mean added money into the expense of raising these mini goats.Do Pygmy Goats Pose Any Threat to Peach Trees?
Pygmy goats are not known to pose any threat to peach trees. These small and gentle creatures have a diverse diet, but they generally do not target or damage fruit trees like peaches. If you grow peach trees, you can rest assured that pygmy goats won’t harm them, allowing your peaches to thrive and provide delicious fruit.
Thanks so much for all your help and information. You really did a great job explaining about the care of these goats. Thanks again.