Information on Taking Care of Kid Pygmy Goats

Since the pygmy goat was first imported to the United States from Africa in the 1950s, the animal has become a family pet for many people on farms or with large backyards. These animals are often described as hardy, as well as good-natured and friendly. Pygmy goats are also very social animals, and should always be kept with other goat companions. If you have a pygmy goat kid, follow some basic care instructions to keep the animal happy and healthy.

  1. Feeding

    • Pygmy goat kids can be weaned from their mother after their first month of life; however, if the mother and kid are housed together, many of the goats will continue nursing for up to seven months. Even if the kid is nursing, it's important to provide it with solid food as well, which it can start eating within a week after being born. Provide your goat with grass to graze, or alfalfa and hay. Also, give the kid one cup of dry COB -- which is a corn, oats and barley mix -- once a day. Keep a salt lick available as well.

    Fencing and Housing

    • Create an outdoor pen to house your pygmy goat and keep it safe. Use a fencing with small holes that goats can't fit through and built it at least four feet high. To protect the kid from predators, such as dogs and coyotes, place barb wire above the fencing and along the ground outside the pen. For housing, built your kid a shed that it can go inside to stay dry during wet weather. Also, goats love to climb, so provide a few "toys" such as a wooden cable spool that it can jump on. Just be sure this platform isn't close to the edges of the pen to prevent the goat from jumping over.

    Other Goats

    • Pygmy goats are social animals and should always have at least one companion goat in their pens. However, keep your female kids separated from adult male pygmy goats, which might try to mate with the animal and unintentionally harm it. Also, separate male and female kids when they reach about 10 weeks old. While kids can begin breeding at this age, it's recommended to avoid breeding the animals until they reach 14 to 18 months old.

    Grooming

    • While pygmy goats don't require too much grooming, there are some basic steps you should take to keep your kid healthy. As your kid grows, keep its hooves trimmed by using gardening shears or sheep hoof trimmers to snip away the outgrown hooves. Also, groom your kid's coat with a goat brush or an old brush made for people. The animal will especially enjoy this during the spring when it's shedding its winter coat.

    Shots and Other Care

    • Talk to your veterinarian to understand what shots your pygmy goat requires and at what age it should have them. Most goats will require a booster shot every year on its birthday to protect it from Tetanus C and D. Also, watch your kid to learn its habits and behaviors. If the animal starts uncharacteristically hunching, drooping its tail or refraining from its usual activities, it could be a sign of a health problem and you should seek medical attention.