Pygmy or Nigerian Dwarf?

[jtdl]

I have two wethers. One is definitely a Nigerian Dwarf (I got him directly from the breeder). My other one I got from a person who thought it was just a "miniature goat". They are both just over one year old. They both look exactly the same except that the "miniature" is beginning to look like a "beer keg with legs" as I have heard Pygmy's described. Other than that, both goats look identical other than colour. Do these breeds have any distinguishing features that could help me find out if Moose is a Pygmy or if he is overweight and needs to go on a diet!?

[goatkid]

Nigerians are miniature dairy goats and therefore more refined. Pygmys are miniature meat goats and more chunky. Both breeds have erect ears and can have similar coloring. If I had to venture a guess, Moose is either a pygmy or a cross between the two breeds. Since both are wethers, neither should be fed a high calorie diet. These guys should be eating browse and hay. They don't need grain or both of them will get too fat and also could develop a problem with urinary calculi.

[jtdl]

Originally Posted by goatkid

Nigerians are miniature dairy goats and therefore more refined. Pygmys are miniature meat goats and more chunky. Both breeds have erect ears and can have similar coloring. If I had to venture a guess, Moose is either a pygmy or a cross between the two breeds. Since both are wethers, neither should be fed a high calorie diet. These guys should be eating browse and hay. They don't need grain or both of them will get too fat and also could develop a problem with urinary calculi.

They are fed alfalfa.. Moose was fed rabbit pellets before I got him so I continue to feed about 1/4 each per day of rabbit pellets (kind of like a treat). I also sprinkle a bit of ammonium chloride in with the pellets every few days, but do I need to be doing that since they are being fed mostly alfalfa?

[chma4]

alfalfa is VERY high in protein, so yes, amonium chloride is good. I would say the best thing to feed wethers is a good quality grass mixed hay. I breed nigerians and think they do best on that. I grow my own alfalfa and only give it as a treat. They prefer the grass hay, and i think it is better for them. Without a picture, it is hard to tell you if he is pure nigerian or not.
GOOD LUCK

[moonspinner]

Ideally nigerians are a proportioned standard dairy goat in miniature (think smaller alpine.) Though you can have more "power built" nigies as well, but even then they should still be dairy and proportioned. Pygmies, on the other hand show a larger head in proportion to the body, and as you mention, the shorter legs. But if you don't know the background on this goat, it could be a cross.