How to Register Breeding Pygmy Goats

Pygmy goats breed prolifically. Females begin breeding at 12-18 months and bear up to four goats every nine months after that. The National Pygmy Goat Association keeps track of all these little animals. The association notes that these goats are "hardy, alert and animated, good-natured and gregarious," docile responsive pets, cooperative providers of milk and ecologically effective browsers so the ranks of their enthusiasts are likely to grow. Registration of all livestock, not just certain breeds of goats, is a standard livestock management practice that ensures the purity of the breed and helps prevent the spread of diseases like scabies.

Things You'll Need

  • Livestock tattoo kit
  • Camera
  • Membership in the National Pygmy Goat Association (optional)
  • Application for Registration
  • Registration fee
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Instructions

    • 1

      Tattoo the right ear of all the kids you breed using a livestock tattoo kit. The kits include ink, letters and numbers and tattoo pliers and you can get them from most feed stores or online.

    • 2

      Tattoo your goats according to the simple code specified by the National Pygmy Goat Association. The association requires goats born in 2011 be tattooed with a code beginning with the letter "B," "C" in 2012, "D" in 2013 and so on. The first of your goats born in 2012 should be tattooed "C1." The third born in 2013 should be tattooed "D3."

    • 3

      Photograph your goats and photograph their tattoos.

    • 4

      Consider joining the National Pygmy Goat Association by completing the online membership application on the Association's website. Nonmembers can register goats through the association but membership cuts your registration fees by about half.

    • 5

      Print out and complete the association's application for registration for each of your unregistered goats.

    • 6

      Send the application and the registration fee to the association's offices at 1932 149th Ave. SE, Snohomish, WA. 98290. At the time of publication, the fee for members is $8 for does and $12 for bucks.