Fast Facts:

African Pygmy Goat

Special Features

• Females can produce as much as 4 pounds of milk a day.
• African pygmy goats are friendly animals that like to climb.
• Pygmy goats were first seen in the United States in the 1950s in zoos. Another relatively new breed of goat is also a miniature - the Nigerian Dwarf.
• Some Pygmy goats produce as much as 4 pounds of milk a day. However their lactation period is shorter (4-6 months) than that of other dairy goats (10 months).
• Goats were among the first animals to be domesticated by humans, perhaps as long as 10,000 years ago.
• The first livestock registry in the world was organized in Switzerland in the 1600s for goats.
• Goats were often passengers on the ships of early explorers and voyagers, including the Mayflower. Goats provided meat and milk for the travelers.
• Female goats are called does; males - bucks; and young goats - kids.
• Goats have a reputation for their odor. However, it is generally only the males that have an odor. If does are kept separate from bucks, the does do not ‘smell’ any more than other types of livestock.
• Goats can provide milk and meat.
• Goat meat is called chevon. Angora goats are raised for their hair.

Social Structure & Behavior

Breeding will occur after one year of age. The gestation period lasts five months.