How To Care For A Baby Pygmy Goat

A pygmy goat is a small animal that makes for a fantastic pet. They suit just about every climate. As with all animals this goat must be cared for. There are a few basic requirements that should be met to do this. This article will have a look at how you can care for a baby pygmy goat.

For sleeping, a baby pygmy goat must have a place that is free from any draft. A basic shed big enough to fit all your goats in will be suitable for this. There should be approximately fifteen to twenty square feet between each animal. Their bedding should be made out of sawdust or straw. This should always be kept clean and dry. If it has been manured or wet, then this should be cleaned out at least once every day. The flooring should consist of clay over gravel. This means that everything will drain well and will not smell or rot.

A baby pygmy goat should be fed with colostrum. This is its mothers milk. It should be fed the colostrum as soon as practically possible once it has been born. This gives the baby the correct antibodies and nutrition it needs to help it to live within its early stages of life. Fresh colostrum is what is recommended. However, powdered colostrum can also be used if necessary.

In terms of food, these goats should be fed according to what their ages are. If a baby is under ten days old, then it will have to have its milk approximately four times each day. From ten days through to eight weeks old, they will require three bottles each day. After this age, it will go down to two bottles of milk every day right through until the weaning process has been completed. By then, the goat should be three months of age. A baby’s bottle is all that is required to feed your baby goat.

Once your goat has reached three weeks of age, they should now be ready for solid food. A small amount of gray and some hay will encourage it to keep on weaning. Weaning is a process that can take some time. As the goat continues to get older, you can introduce more solid food to what it is already having.

Fresh water must always be available for your baby pygmy goat. Especially when it begins to eat solid food.

A fenced off area should also be provided. This allows your goat to graze and play in this area. These kind of goats enjoy jumping from small niches. Small ramps and houses make great items for your goats to jump on or in. Especially if their pasture is not very nice or interesting.

The hooves of your baby pygmy goat should be trimmed every couple of months. You can do this with a small hand pruner.

In this article, we have learned how you can care for your baby pygmy goat. As with all animals, they need to be looked after well.