Is that how you spell Pygmy? Oh well, I would really like to start raising Pygmy Goats. Can someone help me get started?

-- Harmony (harmonyfarm57@hotmail.com), January 15, 2002

Answers

I've raised pygmies for about 22 years... mine are NPGA registered. I have a Basic Care Book that I sell to my non-customers...feel free to email me privately if you're interested.. My advice would be to find a reputable breeder and get good animals...makes a lot of difference in health and longevity IMO. Buying from a sale barn is just asking for problems.. The NPGA has a nice website with a Breeder Directory by state.. The url is: http://www.npga-pygmy.com Any specific questions I can answer for you..feel free to email. :) patty Prairie Oak Miniatures http://www.minifarm.com/prairie_oak visit our message board! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Littlegoats moderator

-- Patty Putnam (littlegoats@wi.rr.com), January 15, 2002.

Patty or anyone, Are the pygmy goats feasible to raise for meat? Are there any issues concerning raising them for meat that anyone can bring to my attention? Are they hardier than the large meat goats? Last question- I heard someplace that large meat goats have an incidence of problems giving birth. This obviously may not be the case, but if it is the case, do pygmy goats exhibit problems such as these? Thanks, Brad

-- BF Morris (chelone@cci-29palms.com), January 15, 2002.

Hi Brad.. well... technically pygmies are classified as "meat" goats, but with their small size they don't really fit the bill. Most are used as backyard pets, 4-H prjects, brush clearers, show goats, and companion animals to other livestock. The larger meat breeds would certainly have more meat on them! I haven't heard that Boers or any other of the larger meat breeds have significant kidding problems, but plenty of pygmies tend to, if they're the more shorter-bodied, shorter- rumped variety, and they aren't kept too fat. I hope that helped to answer your questions.. IMO if any doe is fattened too much, they aren't fit enough to successfully kid without some assistance...uterine tone is diminished during labor, and fat deposits surrounding the uterus and cervix just make the whole kidding process difficult...also most fat does have a harder time settling as well. :)patty Prairie Oak Miniatures http://www.minifarm.com/prairie_oak http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Littlegoats

-- Patty Putnam (littlegoats@wi.rr.com), January 15, 2002.