Pygmy goats
are quick learners and easy to train.
Raised for shows, milk, meat and wool, pygmy goats make low-maintenance livestock pets that children can raise with minor supervision. These miniature goats require rudimentary housing and simple foods, and in return they trim the grass and fertilize the yard. Pygmy goats average 16 inches tall and 33 lbs when fully grown. Affectionate and active, pygmy goats greatly prefer the companionship of other goats to being raised alone. You can teach you goat to walk on a leash and perform tricks.
Instructions
1. Build a proper goat shelter out of wood. A shed-like building or a simple three-sided building works well as long as it provides protection from sun, rain and wind. The shelter must have raised platforms for straw beds, because the goats don't sleep on the ground.
2. Surround the goat shelter and yard with a strong fence 4 to 6 feet high to keep predators away.
3. Allow the goat to stay with its mother for as long as it wishes or until it is weaned at 8 to 12 weeks.
4. Provide food a few days after birth. The kids begin to try dry, clean hay or alfalfa at one week old. Mix the raw grains and hay with commercial goat feed for protein and variety in the diet. Feed females 1 to 2 cups twice a day and males 1/2 to 1 cup twice a day.
5. Provide a swallow water dish and change the contents every day, even if the kid is not yet drinking water.
6. Place a trace mineral block where the goats can reach it, but sheltered from the elements to prevent erosion. The goats lick this block to uphold their natural mineral requirements. Size does not matter, as the goats know when they need to use it.
7. Place various objects in the yard for the goats to climb on and chew. Picnic tables, platforms and other wooden structures allow them to exercise and grow properly.
8. Acquire a commercial hoof trimmer and use it as directed every 4 to 6 weeks.
9. Consult a veterinarian about necessary vaccinations, worming regiments and alterations, such as dehorning and neutering.
10. Check the kids often for lice and other pests, and use commercial powders to treat the problem.
11. Interact with your goats. Brush, pet and rub them to show your affection. Talk to them as well.
Tags: goat shelter, pygmy goats