Pygmy Goats
Pygmy goats- great benefits in small package
Pygmy goats are smaller than domestic goats but they still produce a significant amount of milk. They can also be used for meat. But unlike most goat breeds and larger dairy animals they are not primarily used for meat or milk. One of the other distinguishing features of this breed is that they breed continuously all through the year and are more robust.
Though it may differ in size but Pygmy goats like all breeds of goats have their stomach divided in four compartments- the omasum, the reticulum, the rumen and the abomasum.
They are similar to deer and love to gorge on all types of plants including the woody ones and prefer diversity in their diet. Pygmy goats are the perfect choice for anyone who is looking for a browser who can bear all types of climates, is an asset in almost all settings and at the same time is quite handy.
The females are called Does and weigh around 23 to 34 kg(35 to 60 lbs) and the males who are referred to as Bucks or Billies have their weights around 27 to 39 kg(40 to 80 lbs). Wither height span in a range of 16 to 23 inches. The skin color can differ from dark grey agouti, grey agouti, light grey agouti, solid black agouti, brown agouti, black adorned by frosted points, dark (red) caramel, white/light caramel, dark caramel and medium caramel. Usually males are darker than females.
Pygmy goats are gifted breeders and can bear one to four babies after a gestation period which lasts for five months and that too every third to fourth quarter. Though Does are bred for first time when they are twelve to eighteen months, they can conceive when they are just two months if kept near buckling. All young can nurse almost immediately and start eating grain and also roughage just within a week. They are usually weaned when they are three months.
While dairy breeds may not be able to maintain a milk supply year –round, Pygmy goats due to their gifted sexual behavior do not have problems in doing so. If just bred for milking, then by breeding two Does alternatively, a year-round supply of milk can be obtained.
Pygmy goats which are a small breed of the domestic goat have their origin traced to the Cameroon valley in West Africa. They have been since then used as pets and exhibition animals because of their amiable nature. They are good natured, friendly and have a hardy constitution. These small goats were imported to the United States from the European zoos in 1950s to serve both as zoo animals and also for use in research. They are now regular site at petting zoos and also at pet shops.
Pygmies have many advantages over other dairy breeds. Due to their miniscule size they can be easily handled by kids and are great for 4-H projects. They are better browsers than their dairy counterparts. A study at University of Medical School at Oregon which involved sheep, cattle, dairy goats and pygmy goats, concluded that these breeds have a more positive response for tasting sour, sweet, salty and bitter compounds, which suggest that they like to have variety of plants. Their small size also saves on feed, housing and pen space.
The Pygmy goat milk is very delicious and sweet and a female at the peak of her lactation can willingly give 2/3 gallon per day. The butterfat content is high and varies from 4.5% to 11% and ensures that the milk can resist off flavors thus keeping the milk equally sweet and delicious for long in cold storage. This milk can stay fresh and intact its flavor for up to 14 days in refrigerator. Besides the long freshness the pygmy milk is high in calcium, potassium, iron and phosphorus and is low on sodium as compared to other dairy breeds.
Pygmy goats with all their benefits are also great companions for other livestock species. This makes them a regular site at race tracks and breeding facilities. Spring, 1983 featured an article which stated that an elephant who suffered from acute loneliness in the Indianapolis zoo was greatly comforted with company of a Pygmy goat.
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