One of the questions people like to ask me concerning my pygmy goats is how long they can live for. This is a very important question, which when answered, will help you maximize the productivity of your pygmy goats. There are so many amazing breeds of goats from different countries and continents of the world, and one of the most popular (and cute) breeds is the pygmy goat breed.
It is of course established that pygmy goats do not live as long as any of the other breeds of goats. However, rest assured; they live longer than your chicken. The lifespan of Pygmy goats ranges between 10 and 13 years.
Amongst the several kinds of animals you can consider as livestock or for your farm, goats are one of the best and less tedious animals to breed. And when it comes to goats, pygmy goats are great.
They do not need so much in growth, supplies and care. Notwithstanding, the one thing you will have to look into when raising a goat, be it for milk, dairy or simply for their juicy meat, would be their lifespan.
The lifespan of goats varies from one kind of breed to another. To be more particular, let us focus on the interesting case of Pygmy Goats.
How Long Do Pygmy Goats Live?
Pygmy Goats live shorter lives in relation to your ordinary/common goat breeds. The common goat breed could live as long as 15 to 18 years if well taken care of. In contrast, the lifespan of Pygmy goats ranges between 10 and 13 years. However, there is still some good news for breeders.
The pygmy goat can attain maturity or adulthood in a fewer number of years. It would therefore, be an advantage to maximize the milking productivity of the goat. Also it still has ample time to grow a pleasant quality of goat meat.
If you are, however, simply considering a breed of goats for livestock purposes, you should still try out the pygmy goats. Even though they are beautiful and amazing, a lot of farmers raise the pygmy goats because of their milk and also for their meat. Unlike many other breeds of goats, the pygmy goats are oftentimes not bred as pets.
The Pygmy goats are huge white-colored breeds of goat which can weigh up to 75 pounds when they attain maturity. They can even grow up to 115+ pounds once they get to full size.
The behavior of the goat breed is receptive and adorable. It is really a good type of breed for companionship. However, a lot of farmers would say otherwise because of the volume of milk they can produce, and their high quality meat.
A wonderful clue and crucial consideration for raising any goat is that it undergoes a procedure that is referred to as disbudding. This involves the removal of their horns for security purposes. For more info, click here. A goat can be mischievous when you are inside their pen. Putting into consideration the edge and strength of the horns, you might not desire to get a headbutt by a goat as they fiddle around you.
However, your goat may mean you no harm but simply finds headbutting an avenue to express its playful side. Added to this reason is that goat horns may be stuck through fences and barriers and so they have a high risk of hurting themselves out of inquisitiveness as they peep out of the fence.
How Profitable is Raising a Pygmy Goat?
Raising goats is a reasonable investment. This is always the case, whether it is for the purpose of companionship, poultry, dairy, farm, meat production and so on. Any goat including pygmies can grow in good health and robust with just quality feed and water. They do not need so much when it comes to the growth, development, and maintenance of their body and health. The goat has a high ability to survive. They are born to overcome drastic weather conditions. They also are highly resistant to bacteria and diseases compared to other poultry/livestock animals.
Other goat breeds and their lifespan
- Boer goats – 12 to 20 years
- Nubian goats – 15 to 18 years
- Anglo-Nubian – 12 years
- Alpine goats – 8 to 12 years
- Saanen goats – 15 – 18 years
- Oberhasli goats – 12 years
So when next your young goat less than these age limits are shaking and looking as though eternity is calling, rush them to a veterinary hospital or call a Vet for help. They still have many more goat years ahead of them.