The pygmy goat was originally known as the Cameroon dwarf goat.Horns of a young pygmy, also known as a kid, are removed before it is kept as a pet. This is done around two weeks of age to avoid injury if goats head-butt humans when they play.Pygmy goats, also known as American pygmy or African pygmy goats, is an achondroplastic goat breed from America. This pygmy breed derives from a breed group called west African dwarf originally from Cameroon valley in West Africa, similar to Nigerian dwarf goats. These animals were imported into the US between 1930-1960, either for research or for keeping them in zoos. In 1975, pygmies were established as a breed, and some even bred them as companion animals. This breed is separate and quite different from the British pygmy breed. Pygmy goat breeds are stockily built, small, and compact. The west African group of pygmies were divided into two types by the ’70s. One west African breed type was compact, solid, and broad, similar to African stock now called Nigerian dwarf goats. The other was much more delicate and similar to a mini dairy goat, now known as the American Pygmy goat. Currently, these animals are used as companion animals, for meat and dairy, as zoo animals, and for scientific research due to their small size.The conservation status of American pygmy or Cameroon dwarf pygmy goat breeds in 2007 was listed as Endangered by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U. S. Two modern goat breeds derived from the American pygmy goat. Pygora is the hybrid from cross-breeding with Angora stock and Kinder is the hybrid from crossing with a Nubian goat.If you enjoy reading these facts about how big do pygmy goats get, then make sure to read some more interesting facts about can goats eat apples and are goats good pets here at Kidadl.Pygmy Goat CharacteristicsThere are several characteristics of American pygmy or African pygmy goats: they are small-sized with a compact and solid body; they are friendly, active, adaptable, and playful; they have erect ears; and they come in many colors. Females are called does and males are called bucks.This small size goat breed is considered popular for its meat and high-quality milk. The pygmy goat is common as a pet breed in the west due to its size. The beard in females is sparse or almost absent and is common and long in males. The pygmy goat’s beard can come in several different colors like brown agouti, black agouti, gray agouti, caramel with brown markings, caramel with black markings, full solid black, and black with white markings. Body colors range from full black to gray, brown, or grizzled black. These goats also have stripes, little patches, and marks on their face or belly. These goats have heads with erect ears, horns, goat wattles, and broad foreheads. The coat hair is long and its density differs in different climates. They also reach early sexual maturity. A female dwarf goat reaches maturity at 274 months after birth and a male dwarf goat reaches maturity at 30 months. They can produce around 1-2 quarts (1-2 L) of milk per day. These goat breeds have rectangular pupils, four-chamber stomachs, and two-toed hooves. They have a 280-degree view due to their pupils.Why do pygmy goats have big bellies?Some causes of big bellies in pygmy goats are overeating, bloating, pregnancy in females, and hay belly.The pygmy goat diet primarily consists of grass, squash, alfalfa hay, pine trees, rosemary, and weeds. This animal might have a big belly due to bloating that is caused when the goat cannot properly burp. Gas is created due to fermentation of ingested food which your pet might find difficult to secrete. When your goat burps it gets rid of this gas and if it doesn’t burp the gas stays in its belly. The belly with the gas will have a ball shape. Your goat might be overeating, particularly sodium, sugar, and fat. When females get pregnant, their belly weight gradually increases until they give birth after four and a half to five months. Some signs to look out for if your goat is pregnant are no physical exercise, a large belly, and varying appetite. It has been observed that females are prone to bloating more than males. Females store the excess fat in their reproductive system making them appear larger. Some bloating signs are pain in the abdominal area, restlessness, appetite loss, and the belly extending towards the left. Hay belly is also common in this animal. It is when they have a larger than usual belly for many days, which is due to parasites in the stomach.How big does a full-size pygmy goat get?Pygmy goats stand around 16-20 in (40-50 cm) in height. This goat is as big as a medium-sized dog. The weight of a full-size male pygmy is around 60-90 lb (27.2-40.8 kg) and females weigh 25-50 lb (11.3-22.7 kg).The pygmy goat is a dwarf animal due to its stocky body and short legs. It is shorter and smaller than the Nigerian dwarf. It is quite hard to differentiate between these two species. However, it is stated that the milk from a female Nigerian dwarf goat is more delicious and creamier than milk from pygmies. Also, Nigerian goats have thinner muscles than pygmies. Compared to all other breeds, the pygmy is the smallest meat breed. The lifespan of pygmy goats is around 10-15 years and they reach their sexual maturity around 8-12 months. The age of maturity can vary depending on health and breed. These hardy creatures have compact and small bodies. If a female produces more newborn kids her size gets smaller. Females usually produce one to two kids and these young ones can stand an hour after birth and follow their mother around.How big should a pygmy goat house be?For two to three pet goats, around 8-10 ft (2.4-3 m) for a goat house is sufficient.Young and adult pygmy goats can easily adapt to any season and environment. They are fun to be around because they are friendly and playful. They make good pets. Basic housing looks like a shed on a farm. A big dog house can also hold one to two pygmies in a backyard. You can also place tire sets, old tables, teeter-totters, and earth mounds to allow your pygmies to play. Some choose to keep their pygmy inside the house and it is possible but not recommended. The reason behind this is your house is not goat-proofed. Pygmies are very active and mischievous so it is better to fence your backyard or farm. They are also great climbers. Fencing also prevents attacks from predators like coyotes or stray dogs. You can use woven wire fencing. For large goats, the fence must be higher.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestion for how big do pygmy goats get, then check out why do goats faint or Pygmy goats facts.
The pygmy goat was originally known as the Cameroon dwarf goat.
