Q: “I am showing my pygmy goat for the first time this year. Is there a certain collar and lead that I should use in the show ring?”
A: Yes there is. You will need a short, black lead. It should be not much longer than 18″, but can be shorter. (Do not use a long leash. ) The collar for the show ring should be black and can be nylon or leather. It should fit loosely enough to be able to pull it up behind the ears but not over the head. I like the nylon adjustable collars that grows with your goat.
Q: ” At what age should my pygmy goat be disbudded? “
A: Disbudding is the procedure in which the developing horn buds are burned so that the goat does not grow horns. ALL goats must be disbudded to come to the fair. No horns are allowed. Ideally, pygmy goat kids should be disbudded anywhere from 1-3 weeks of age. Disbudding much later than that time results in a lot of unnecessary pain and risk to the animals. I would not recommend buying a kid that has still not been disbudded at the time of weaning!
Q: “How much grain should I feed my new pygmy goat kid and what kind is best?”
A: Your pygmy goat should definitely be fed a grain designed specifically for GOATS and not designed for other livestock. Most goat grains will be around 16% protein. Wethers are particularly prone to urinary “stones” so they should only be fed 1 C. or so of grain a day with fresh hay always being available. Does can have 2 C. of grain a day with fresh hay always being available. ALWAYS have fresh, clean water available! Cold water in the summer…and they really enjoy warm water in the winter. : ) They will not drink dirty water.
Q: “What type of hay should my pygmy goats eat?”
A: Pygmy goats should have good quality hay available at all times! In our experience, they seem to do best with an alfalfa/grass mix. Some will eat a plain orchard grass hay, but ours don’t seem to like that as much. Mixes with clover, grass, alfalfa, ect. seems to be best for keeping the goat in proper show condition and health. Always ask your hay farmer for what is in the hay before you purchase it! Hay is best fed off of the ground and in a hay manger of some type.
Q: ” What are some common health problems I may have with my pygmy goat?”
A: A couple very common things to watch for in your pygmy goat would be the common “cold” & parasites…both of which can get worse if not recognized and treated. Often a “cold” will just be a little runny nose, but you will need to watch that it doesn’t go into an infection that would show signs like a bad cough, lots of mucus from the nose, runny eyes, fever, ect. Know how your goat usually behaves and be alert for changes that would indicate that he is not feeling well. If he shows symptoms of infection, call your vet promptly and have him treated. Another common problem is parasites of many kinds. Things to watch for with parasites would be diarrhea, thin body condition, rough hair coat, coughing. Again, you need to take note of how your goat looks when he is healthy so you can spot a problem. A fecal sample is an accurate diagnosis if you suspect a problem with parasites. Proper worming treatments are always in order as a preventative and treatment! Consult your farm vet for what he recommends for your goat.