Pygmy goats how tall

It is recommended to wait until a doe is 12—18 months old before breeding. She can then produce 1—4 young every 9—12 months and twin births are common. Pygmy goat lifespan is generally 10—15 years. Coloring : All black; grizzled black, gray, or brown colored and white hairs intermingled , with muzzle, crown, eyes and ears, and sometimes tail, frosted with white hairs; or pale to mid-caramel with dark legs, dorsal stripe and face markings.

These coat patterns are sometimes broken by white belly patches or bands. In West African, Australian and UK populations, all colors are recognized, including pied and mixed colors, various markings, and random patches in West African Dwarf and Pygmy goats. Height to withers : Bucks max.

Height can vary between 16 and 23 inches 41—58 cm in an adult pygmy goat. Temperament : Docile, responsive, gregarious, friendly, good-natured, alert, animated, active, and fun-loving. The pygmy goat kid and even the adult love to play and need an enriched environment. Popular Use : In developed countries they are mainly kept as pets and browsers, occasionally for milk. In Africa, they are mainly used for meat, while milk, manure, and skins provide additional benefits.

They are also used as an economic and cultural asset, providing employment for women and income from sales in time of need. Productivity : 1—2 quarts 1—2 liters of milk a day over — days, with high butterfat 4.

The milk tastes sweet and is higher in calcium, potassium, and phosphorus than dairy goat milk. As prolific breeders, they are a ready source of goat meat on low budget pasture or backyard systems. Adaptability : Highly adapted to the varying conditions of West Africa, including the damp tropical, subhumid, and drier, savanna climates, they readily acclimatize to new environments, including hot climates and cold weather.

They are hardy and resilient, with good resistance to barber pole parasites and trypanosomiasis. Females weigh about 23 to 34 kilograms, 35 to 50 pounds and males about 27 to 39 kg 40 to 60 pounds. They provide small amounts of high quality milk but are considered a meat goat. Breed characteristics of the Pygmy include a full coat of straight, medium-long hair which varies in density with seasons and climates. On females, beards may be nonexistent, sparse or trimmed.

On adult males, abundant hair growth is desirable; the beard should be full, long and flowing, the copious mane draping cape-like across the shoulders.

Pygmy goats are part of class Mammalia and are a domestic breed originating from the Cameroon region of West Africa. Similar forms are found throughout northern and southwestern Africa. Their scientific name Capra aegagrus hircus comes from the Latin words meaning she-goat capra and he-goat hircus. Known for their small size and outgoing personalities, pygmy goats are now kept as pets in many places. Pygmy goats get the nickname of dwarf goats for their compact size, only growing up to 20 inches high.

Their weight ranges from 35 to 50 pounds for females and 40 to 60 pounds for males. Favorable breed characteristics include nonexistent beards for females and a full and long mane across the shoulders for males. These goats can provide small quantities of milk but are mostly considered meat goats. They have two-toed hooves, rectangular pupils, and a four-chambered stomach. Two-toed hooves help them to be agile climbers, while their rectangular pupils allow them to see degrees around their bodies.

This enables them to scan the area for potential threats. They also have a four-chambered stomach that contains bacteria which breaks down cellulose in all the vegetation the goats eat. Their first stomach has a capacity of an astonishing 10 quarts, allowing them to consume large quantities food in a small amount of time. Pygmy or dwarf goats originate from the Cameroon region of West Africa.

As a domestic breed, they live on farmland but in the wild they live on hillsides and plains. There are also over 1, goats in zoos across the world. The West African dwarf goat is the most common and most valuable livestock in west and central Africa.

These goats have adapted well to their native environment and are highly fertile. They are also genetically resistant to nematode infections that tend to wipe out other goat breeds. Pygmy goats are grazers that prefer leaves, plants , twigs, shrubs, and vines over grass.

Occasionally, they can consume fruits, vegetables, and hay. Due to their robust digestive system, they have been known to also eat tree bark, garbage, and even tin cans.

Pygmy goats are vulnerable to predators while eating, so these goats can eat large quantities of food quickly in open areas and then regurgitate a portion of it to chew again after it has evaded predators and returned to safer areas.