Cats? Dogs? Iguanas? Played out. The hot new family pet just might be the pygmy goat. Publications like the San Francisco Gate and the New York Times are reporting that more and more people are choosing goats as pets.
Many urbanites are reclaiming the art of growing their own vegetables, and even keeping bees and chicken coops, so why not goats? Pygmies are particularly well-suited for urban and suburban yards. They stand 17 to 23 inches tall and are said to be as intelligent and good-tempered as some dogs. Plus, they provide milk and cut your grass for you. They range in cost from $100 to $300 -- cheaper than a lawn mower, and way cuter.
But before you pick up your new pet, check local laws to avoid grazing violations or other snafus. And because they are herd animals, you'll need to get more than one. Your neighbors are going to loooove that.
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Goats make excellent pets. They're intellegent, trainable, and can be housebroke just like a dog. On top of this, they enjoy being cuddled and held. This goes for almost any breed, large and small.
I have two pet goats...both neutered males. They live outside, I cannot imagine having them in the house and both weigh over 80 pounds...maybe closer to 100. I adore my goats, they are like big dogs with horns, but they are farm animals, can be dangerous even if just "playing" and belong outside. They also need a lot of care to keep them healthy, innoculations, deworming, hooves trimmed, grooming, etc. I hate it when people take on "unusual" pets and have no clue how to care for them. Most of them end up in shelters and eventually euthanized because no one else wants them. Think it over very, very carefully before you take on goats, even pygmy goats, as a pet.
Goats don't need that much care. We have close to 80 head of goat and don't do the vast majority of what you claim. Vaccinations are really only needed if you're showing. Although, if you have meat/dairy it generally isn't recommended since it can go into the meat/milk. Worming? Only needed if the animal is worm, otherwise you risk creating wormer resistant worms. Hoof trimming? Not all goats need that. I have several that haven't needed their hooves trimmed since they were born. Why? The hooves stay at a proper length.
Any pet can be dangerous. Look at dogs. They're capable of ripping a person apart. For the record, it isn't uncommon for us to bring in adult goats if they happen to get sick/injured.
I hate goats but this little thing looks like theres something wrong with his legs and i just dont think thats right to do hes supposed to be able to bend his legs and he obviously cant.thats just awful. Shame on folks for breeding them.
This goat may be a pygmy, but he is also only a few days old, should still be nursing, the not appearing to be able to bend it's legs is normal for that age, as is the curled back legs, i used to splint their legs when they were walking like that but they strengthen as they grow anyway. How can anyone 'hate' goats' ? What' to hate, has one ever done you any harm?
Dude, there's nothing wrong with that goat. All pygmy goats walk awkwardly like that. They aren't structured to be tearing around like horses, they don't have the same range of motion. Look at the way its body is built. Its legs aren't long enough to allow for a knee-bend that would allow its hind legs to bend similarly to a dog's or a cat's, which is what you're expecting to see because you obviously just don't know any better.
Not to mention, it's hard for an adult goat to walk on tile, let alone a baby. I've had numerous newborns in the house and none of them will walk normally. The best way they can walk is stiff legged. There's nothing wrong with pygmies. I have had several of them, including babies. None of them ever had anything wrong with them. Quite honestly, the only goat I've had with leg problems was a large breed goat. Both his front legs wouldn't stretch out. However, as he got strength built up, his legs straightened out.
Kelly, this is a baby goat, walking on slippery floors, it would do better if it were older and on carpeting where it won't slip with the hooves. Like dogs, they slip on bare floors also sometimes, no grip.
Pretty sad when someone posts they hate goats. I find that weird and disturbing! Goats are WONDERFUL pets and they really don't take that much to care for. I've been raising fainting goats now for almost six years and have loved every minute of it. Mine go on walks with me without leashes and come when I call, they don't ever come in the house however. Unlike pigmy's who can be little escape artist, fainters tend not to jump knowing they'll faint upon doing so. Check out this breed if you're interested in goats. They're so much fun and very entertaining.
www.freewebs.com/bottoms-up-ranch
You're right, there is something wrong with his hind legs. Contracted flexor tendons or something. Probably why he is in someones house...can't be left out with his mother in that condition most likely. With proper vet care he will probably be ok. That goat isn't more than a few days old from the looks of it.
I was told by a farmer who kept goats, that male goats have a tendency to urinate on themselves to attract females. He told me that they are a stinky mess and can come quite aggressive. I don't know if this applies to these mini neutered goats. I love all animals, but I think minaturizing any farm animal doesn't mean that all the care involved in them is also minaturized. I hate these new animal trends. Like when the pot belly pig fad exploded and greedy breeders bred regular pigs to pot bellies, resulting in a big surprise when the piglet grew up for unaware owners. Unless you live on a farm and have the time and space for them, minature-farm animals belong on a farm. PERIOD.
Pygmy goats have been around for an extremely long time, they are not a fad pet, but a productive farm animal, and only a non-neutered buck urinates on himself to attract the does, and they love it.
I HAD MY LITTLE PIGMY BILLY BOB. HE WAS SO CUTE. HE WAS BLACK AND WHITE. I KEPT HIM FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS. HE KEPT RUNNING INTO THE SIDE OF, KATIE OUR GOLDEN LAB. HE JUMPED ON THE HOOD OF MY HUSBANDS TRUCK! I STILL LOVE HIM. I HAD TO GIVE HIM TO A FARMER FRIEND. HE LIKES IT BETTER BEING WITH OTHER GOATS. HE WAS CUDDLEY AT FIRST. THANK YOU MY FAVORITE SON-IN-LAW!
A pygmy wouldn't be big enough to jump onto the hood of a truck. Either you have a very small truck, or the goat you had wasn't a pygmy.
Actually, I have seen 3 pygmy goats that were on top of vehicles .. a car and a small pickup, taking it easy and just lounging away. I didn't think they would be able to jump high to get on top of any vehicles, but to my surprise they can ... even though they have the shorter legs than that of other goats.
You button hooked me!!! I didn't know you were going to button hook me!!!!
I have a three year old female pygmy who has been curled up from the cold weather, but now it seems that she can't support herself on her front legs anymore. I help her stand each time I go outside, in hopes that she will try on her own, but as soon as I let go, she lays on her bent front legs again. She eats well, drinks water, has normal bowel movements. Is this going to be a permanent position for her? How can I help her? She doesn't cry and she'll let me touch her legs, even straighten them a bit, so she doesn't seem to be in any pain, just stiff! Any help or suggestions on where to turn would be helpful!
If you are worried enough about her, I would call in a Veternaian (that specializes in farm animals) to come check her out. It could be something small or a sign of something bigger yet to come. But I am no expert. But it never hurts to be on the safe side.