Pygmy goats
By rainbow
@rainbow (6761)
August 14, 2006 12:58pm CST
I love goats was told that they make good house pets, does anyone have any knowlege of this? My uncle used to have a Billy Goat who wouldn't let him get to his car without a loaf of bread.
4 responses
@sylviekitty (2083)
• United States
3 Mar 07
I love goats, too. And we used to have pygmy goats as pets when I was younger. But not as "house" pets- we didn't let them in the house. (that would be messy!! LOL) I think goats are so cute!! I would imagine they wouldn't be cheap to care for, though I can't remember much as this was years ago when we had them.
@rainbow (6761)
•
3 Mar 07
Thanks sylvie, It must have been wonderful to learn about animals at home as a kid, I want my boys to learn that kind of respect for nature too. If and when this dream starts to cometrue I'll havetopick your brain sometimes, lol.
I want about a dozen milkers a billy and some pygmys. That should be a good start, I've always wanted to start a sanctuary for old goats.
Shrek wants so do more with the land, he wants some caravans, a lttle cafe and shop and a big kids indoor and outdoor play. He says I can have other small animals too for a small petting zoo. It's just so hard finding the land and finances to set it all up, fingers crossed for one day! I want a couple of pygmys at home in the next couple of years.
@rainbow (6761)
•
6 Mar 07
I wouldn't laugh at you, I know what you mean. My parents brought me up to love, care for and respect all creatures too, you were lucky to have a small farm in the backyard, that 's all I've ever wanted really. I want my boys to grow up with a knowledge and love of nature and if I can jsut find the land locally they will.
@cybergwen (158)
• United States
2 Mar 07
I had a pygmy that was house trainged, but it took a long time to train her. I also think that, gee..how do I say this?, the number 2 function is really involuntary, so you have to be ready to pick that up once in a while. (It is really simple, like little rabbit pellets)
She would answer you and come to you when you called her. I plan to get another as soon as I am out of this damn rental!
@rainbow (6761)
•
3 Mar 07
At last I find someone wo has/had one! I love all goats and would love a huge field with loads of goats playing and destroying all the greeenery, lol.
I'm trying to find some land locally which is a really difficult job here to put some stables on and some goats for milking and cheese, even rescue goats but it's taking a long time.
I would love to have one as a house pet, my garden is well enclosed and there's always room for another little person.
I hope you can get a new pet soon, good luck finding a new goat friendly home!
@dhedows118 (891)
• Philippines
19 Sep 07
A pygmy goat (Capra hicus) is a small species of goat; female weigh about 23 to 34 kg (35 to 50 lbs) and males about 27 to 39 kg (40 to 60 lbs). Pygmy goats originated in the Cameroon Valley of WEst America. They were imported into the United States from European zoos in the 1950's for use in zoos and as a research animal. They were eventually acquired by private breeders and quickly gained popularity as pets and exhibition animals due to their good-natured personalities, friendliness and hardy constitution.
Although they produce a large amount of milk for their size, and can be eaten, pygmy goats are not typically used for milk or meat, unlike larger dairy and meat goat breeds. Pygmy goats tend to be more robust and breed more continually throughout the year than either dairy or meat goats. They have stomachs with four compartments: the rumer, the reticulum, the omasum, and the abomasum. As browsers, goats are similar to deer and enjoy variety in their diet, including woody plants.
Pet pygmy goat can live in a large dog house or small shed. Their housing should be well-ventilated, but free from drafts. It is convenient to have a concrete floor covered with a rubber mat and sawdust or straw for bedding; the floor should be tilted towards the door to make cleaning simple. In the winter, cleaning is less often needed because goats keep the straw warm as their bed. A bench with dividing slats as suspension will suit the goat as a little bed; if it is very cold, a cheap blanket can be added to add warmth.
