Pygmy goats are en vogue right now – and rightly so, they’re cute, fun, and pack big personalities.
If you already have one, I envy you.
If you’re on the fence over whether or not to get one, I can guarantee adopting a Pygmy goat will improve your life!
If you’re just interested to learn more about Pygmies and what they’re used for, I can explain!
What Exactly Are Pygmy Goats?
The word ‘pygmy’ literally means something that is very small. So, it’ll come as no surprise that pygmy goats are small goats.
Pygmies are a miniature breed of domesticated goat – and they originally come from West Africa.
Pygmy goats were brought to the United States in the 1950s, and they have been growing in popularity ever since.
These days, there are two main types of pygmy goat – Nigerian Dwarfs and African Pygmies.
Nigerian Dwarfs are the smaller of the two, standing at around 22 inches tall and weighing between 30-50 pounds.
African Pygmies are a little bigger, measuring 24-28 inches tall and weighing between 50-100 pounds.
Both types of Pygmy goats make great pets!
What Are Pygmy Goats Used For?
Pygmy goats are popular for all sorts of reasons.
First and foremost, they make great pets!
They’re intelligent, social creatures that enjoy human interaction and being around other animals.
You’ll need to check your local ordinance, but there are a lot of cities that’ll allow you to keep a pygmy goat if you have enough space and meet the other conditions.
They’re also relatively low-maintenance – as long as you provide them with food, water, shelter, and some basic medical care, they’ll be happy.
Pygmy goats are also popular as livestock animals.
They’re hardy creatures that can withstand harsh weather conditions, and they’re used for meat and milk production in some places.
Overall, they’re just a lot of fun and are more commonly kept as pets nowadays, especially in the U.S.
Why Do Farmers Keep Pygmy Goats?
There are a few reasons farmers might choose to keep Pygmy goats.
First, as I mentioned before, they’re relatively low-maintenance animals so it’s usually not much of an inconvenience or expense to keep some pygmies.
A farmer might be considering breeding and/or selling pygmies, or they may even want to keep them as pets as part of their overall livestock.
Pygmy goats can be used for meat and milk production, although that is much less likely a reason why farmers will keep them – it’s not unheard of.
Can You Drink Pygmy Goat Milk?
Pygmy goat milk is becoming increasingly popular as people learn more about its benefits.
It’s higher in calcium and protein and lower in lactose than regular cow’s milk, so it’s a great alternative for people who are lactose intolerant.
Pygmy goat milk is also said to be easier to digest, and some people find it has a sweeter taste.
If you’re interested in trying pygmy goat milk, your best bet is to head to a farmer’s market or health food store – it can be tough to find in regular supermarkets.
Can You Make Money from Pygmy Goats?
Yes, you can make money from keeping Pygmy goats!
As I mentioned before, some farmers breed and sell pygmies, and also use them for milk.
You could also sell the milk and/or meat if you’re so inclined – although that would require a little more work on your part and isn’t easy if you’re not experienced in goat farming.
You could also breed and sell pygmies, that’s a lot of fun and I know a few owners who have done that over the years.
Another way you can make money is by loaning your goats out to other landowners to help clear their unwanted foliage.
That’s right, you can actually loan pygmy goats out to clear brush, bushes, and other plants.
It’s big business with full-size goats, and pygmies actually have some advantages over full-sized goats when it comes to land clearing.
For one, they’re easier to manage and transport. Ask anyone who has transported a large number of goats – they’ll tell you how difficult it can be.
Another plus point is that they’re able to reach some lower areas of brush that larger breeds might not have been able to reach.
How Many Pygmy Goats Should You Have?
This really depends on a few factors, such as how much space you have and what your purpose for keeping pygmy goats is.
If you’re just looking to keep them as pets, then two or three should be enough.
You should always have more than one pygmy as goats are herd animals, so they do like to have herd mates to socialize and interact with.
If you want to use them for clearing brush or other land management purposes, then, of course, you’ll need a larger herd.
One thing I can tell you is that once you start raising pygmies, I think you’ll find it hard not to add more of these cute little bundles of fun into your herd!
There you have it, pygmy goats have a few uses – commercial and not – but most of all they’re just awesome pets!