Anyone own Pygmy goats?

[speck1]

My office staff thought it would be funny to give me a baby goat for Christmas. I don't know anything about raising goats. I built him a pen with a doghouse in it. Any goat owners with advice?

[systemnt]

We ate one at camp two weekends ago. (was a black Hawaiian I think was the name)
killed it, skinned it, deboned it, cooked it.
homemade Goat enchiladas.
was awesome.

advice: get to the table early so you can finish and get seconds before anyone else.

[bwssr]

We ate one at camp two weekends ago. (was a black Hawaiian I think was the name)
killed it, skinned it, deboned it, cooked it.
homemade Goat enchiladas.
was awesome.

advice: get to the table early so you can finish and get seconds before anyone else.

this

[speck1]

We ate one at camp two weekends ago. (was a black Hawaiian I think was the name)
killed it, skinned it, deboned it, cooked it.
homemade Goat enchiladas.
was awesome.

advice: get to the table early so you can finish and get seconds before anyone else.

Sounds like you ate a sheep! Think you have your animals confused.

[systemnt]

Sounds like you ate a sheep! Think you have your animals confused.

Black Hawaiian Ram - (ours was a baby with buttons)http://www.silvertineexotichunts.com...85459_orig.jpg
(this is just a pic..not where we got it)...one of the local guides I employ raises them

[Chew]

He's gonna be hard to butcher once he learns some dance moves.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fF0pIGqors"]Pygmy Goat Happy Dance - YouTube[/ame]

[tex4k]

My office staff thought it would be funny to give me a baby goat for Christmas. I don't know anything about raising goats. I built him a pen with a doghouse in it. Any goat owners with advice?

Man I'm sorry but someone at the office is really mad at you!

[simek]

I have two Nigerian Dwarf goats. They are easy to care for, but don't let them near anything with landscape value. They are opportunistic bottomless pits. They are good with kids and pretty tame (my 5 YO can pet them at will). We have them in a one acre pen, and they are good with Versatile Multi Pellets (http://bluebonnetfeeds.com/departmen...tile-pelleted/), with coastal on the side. Give them plenty of water, and they are good to go. I live out in the country and they follow us like dogs if we take them on walks. The males do have a pungent aroma, however. Also, the dog house should be fine. I have mine in something similar. They like to sleep out of the pen until it hits 20-30 degrees. They like to climb, so if you have not done so already, get them something like a cable spool.

[catslayer]

I have two Nigerian Dwarf goats. They are easy to care for, but don't let them near anything with landscape value. They are opportunistic bottomless pits. They are good with kids and pretty tame (my 5 YO can pet them at will). We have them in a one acre pen, and they are good with Versatile Multi Pellets (http://bluebonnetfeeds.com/departmen...tile-pelleted/), with coastal on the side. Give them plenty of water, and they are good to go. I live out in the country and they follow us like dogs if we take them on walks. The males do have a pungent aroma, however. Also, the dog house should be fine. I have mine in something similar. They like to sleep out of the pen until it hits 20-30 degrees. They like to climb, so if you have not done so already, get them something like a cable spool.

THIS....

I have video somewhere of me dropping a trailer off at my bosses house and ending up with two pygmy goats in my cab jumping around and dancing... crazy cute little buggers... fun for munchkins. the little dances they do are hilarious, and they would play with the dogs... over all not a bad "farm pet"

[Rat]

My office staff thought it would be funny to give me a baby goat for Christmas. I don't know anything about raising goats. I built him a pen with a doghouse in it. Any goat owners with advice?

What Simek said, plus...

Goats are herd animals and you will need to get him a companion, otherwise he will drive you crazy. The good part is a goat will take to just about any animal including dogs, horses, kids and chickens. A group of goats is called a Tribe or a Trip; depending on where you are from.

You should have him disbudded, or do it yourself; horns are generally dangerous even when not intended and even on small goats. Most of us disbud all of our goats. If you do not, just remember, you may not be able to sell him or breed him if you so choose.

Give him something to climb on and some ramps; goats are easily entertained by easy to make toys, like a hanging apple (from a string) etc.

Clean water is very important to good goat health as is his food and minerals. DO NOT feed him minerals or rations made for other animals (especially sheep) as they contain things like copper that can harm him and cause health related issues. Stick to the goat stuff or mix your own ration (this is what we do). Hay is important as well, you want about 25% of his hay diet to be alfalfa and the other 75% whatever he will eat; my goats hate tipton, will tolerate coastal but love the sorghum grazer.

Unless you plan on having a tribe, have him castrated; this will also alleviate the buck smell once he reaches sexual maturity.

Train him early to use a collar and lead; they will follow you around like a puppy but it's nice to be able to keep him out of danger (from dogs for example) when out and about.

The milk is great, even from pygmy goats! Get him a doe and have some kids, enjoy the milk and the meat they provide.

Goats are great animals for pets or livestock, we really enjoy ours.

[speck1]

Thanks Rat and Simek. What age do they castrate them. Mine is 9 weeks old.

[simek]

Not sure about that....perhaps others can chime in on that.

[TXFireFighter]

https://youtu.be/AWvefaN8USk

Not my video but it was floating around FB and your post reminded me of it!

[Rat]

Thanks Rat and Simek. What age do they castrate them. Mine is 9 weeks old.

Really, anytime after they drop; but it is better for them (the goat) to do it pretty soon after. I would say within a few weeks for the best results. We use the elastrator and it is a simple and easy process; I've never had an infection or partial castration using them.