pygmy? nigerian dwarf?

bc2poo · #1 11/30/06, 05:12 PM

hi,

i was thinking about getting goats for christmas

aaaand i had some questions

i was thinking of a smaller goat and a person close to where i live has pygmy's and nigerian dwarf babies

i was wondering what the difference is?

thanks,
maddie

needstoknowmore · #2 11/30/06, 05:40 PM

Pygmy's are a meat goat

Nigerians are a milk goat

I don't have mini's but have been tempted because they are so dang cute!!!!

bc2poo · #3 11/30/06, 05:43 PM

they definately won my heart with the cute factor

is there any difference in size?
like is one smaller than the other?

DKWunlimited · #4 11/30/06, 05:50 PM

Because pygmys are meats goats they will be stockier.. think little line backers.
Nigerians are a smaller more delicate body type.
Although the BUCKS of both breeds can get pretty good size.
I jokingly call my nigerians lap goats because they love to cuddle and get in my lap. Each of mine maxes out at 18 inches tall.

Something else to look at is get them debudded <remove the horns> it will save you a lot of problems down the line.
Hope that helps a little.

needstoknowmore · #5 11/30/06, 06:03 PM

I don't know enough about them to know any size difference. at least not yet......But if you don't mind I would like to add a question to yours.

The nigis seem to come in lots of colors. do the pygmies also????

neehifarm · #6 11/30/06, 06:05 PM

pygmies tend to have a more limited range of colors....most have the white 'ticking' on ears and muzzles. With Dwarfs, the colors are limitless...and so are the spots.

DocM · #7 11/30/06, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKWunlimited

I jokingly call my nigerians lap goats because they love to cuddle and get in my lap.

I have 150 lb lamancha wether that likes to do that too.

Doc · #8 11/30/06, 07:06 PM

bc2poo: I was just getting ready to ask the same question. I am getting goats for Christmas, too.

Does either of these breeds like to jump fences more than the other? And what kind of fence works best?

And -- the goats I get will have to share the barnyard with a bunch of other critters. Who has the better temperament?

dbarjacres · #9 11/30/06, 08:01 PM

I have nigerians and love them. I hate the look of pygmies and what I've seen of their temperments. Do realize that most pygmies will have big ole horns. Almost any respectable nigerian breeder - ones that realize they are true mini dairy goats anyway - will have disbudded their nigerians. No horns are allowed on them for showing either.

Nigerians have tons of colors and mine have great temperments and I have one to get out yet (except out of gates left unlatched!).

I have quite a few different colors, also in the mini manchas and you can see some of the different patterns and such on my website at www.dbjacres.com

littledoe · #10 11/30/06, 10:26 PM

I'd have to agree on the nigerian dwarfs and the colors. Pygmies are rather limited in their color range. However, I raise pygmies and they are actually listed by the NPGA as milk goats. I do milk mine and their milk is very rich. Very high in butterfat. You can also use them as a meat goat. I think they are very versatile. We do use them for both. I've had friends that think milking a pygmy is funny because of their small size, but their milk is excellent. Granted, I get more from my bigger dairy does. Pygmies are also polyestrous, which gives milk at times of the year when the larger dairy does cannot. We disbud our pygmy kids, though I have some older does that were bought with horns. I like to disbud because we have small children on our farm and I recommend that to anyone. I've really enjoyed my pygmies, but I think you will find that no matter the type you decide to go with, you will find goats enjoyable, period.
Good luck to you in your ventures.

Malissa in Texas

nursefarmer · #11 12/01/06, 03:00 AM

I would always choose the Nigerians over the Pygmies.The nigerians are bred to be 'production' animals(producers of offspring,producers of milk,ect)they have an easier time kidding,come in a rainbow of colors-even blue eyes,and seem to be all around hardier caprines.I have owned both,and from experience,choose the little mini-milkers. Pygmies are a meat type mini,udder/milk quality are of no concern in the pygmy breed,of course they are 'cute' also,but are only allowed a few coat colors.My vet bills were much higher with the pygmies as well. Good Luck !

nursefarmer · #12 12/01/06, 03:00 AM

A note on the behaviors...We have noticed that the Pygmies seem to act more like little spoiled 'brats',where as the Nigerians seem to have some of the larger goat mentality,being a bit more dignified,as well as being silly and adorable.
Anything "mini" is adorable in my eyes anyway...spoiled,indulged,bratty and the like ...weight management is much easier with the Nigerians it seems.
REMEMBER...each goat is an individual,even within it's breed,so it is up to you,start shopping around,and DON'T buy the first thing you see.

neehifarm · #13 12/01/06, 03:30 AM

actually, I have both..and I even have a few dwarf pygmies. I like the the dish face and the build of a pygmy better. At my house I have found that the FULL pygmies are a bit friendlier towards me, a bit pushier towards other goats. My dwarf pygmies are the best of 'both' worlds.
I have been told that pygmies sometimes have more difficult deliveries, but of my 17 goats, I have yet to have any troubles.
As for fencing, my problem here is that I have a stock fence which is NOT entirely touching the ground (by about an inch).....both breeds like to shimmy UNDER it when they feel like it, so I had to include a hot fence.

AllWolf · #14 12/01/06, 05:52 AM

I have both breeds and love them both. Both of my breeds are very loveing and freindly as can be. I wouldn't want to change that for the world plus I do have other breeds of goats and all my goats are nothing but babies. What I mean on that is they love to get attention and hugs plus more.

Good Luck on what you decide.

moonspinner · #15 12/01/06, 07:49 AM

From all I've heard from those who have pygmies, they can have a bit tougher time kidding, as a general statement. They are also a blockier build and nigerians, though many NDs do have a power build, being dairy they are more angular and elegant as a whole. If you want milk NDs would be the choice, especially with their high butterfat. And you can't beat those colors and endless flashy patterns. Of course, I am prejudiced!

Doc · #16 12/01/06, 09:41 AM

Now that I've read and heard from the forum members about the two breeds, I should say a bit more about why I am interested in them.

I have a farm school and the children would be around them; hence, the reason for the question about temperament. Also, I will not be milking them -- they are to be educational goats, considered as pets, and hopefully eat brush around the barn.
And, they need to fit in with the miniature donkey and horse and all the barnyard fowl.

Given all that -- would either breed work better?

Also -- please tell me about fencing and how much area is needed for two (to begin with)? Thanks.

trappmountain · #17 12/01/06, 10:10 AM

I Have pygmy's in with my potbelly pig and they do just great together. I suggest getting young ones so they are raised with the young children. Don't allow them to butt you or the children. Don't allow tthe children to push them back by their heads. They think the children are butting them and will butt back. It is a game to them. Mine butt each other but not us. Sometimes they do move me along or away from another one with their head. Instead of butting they just give you even pushes and keep pushing to keep you to themselves. Alot different than a running or jumping butt. This is gentle. Goats do jump on you and chew hair. These are my first goats and I have very well behaved goats so I would say that pygmy's are very easy or I got really lucky. I have had them for about 2 years now. I don't think I could live without them now. They are great pets.

GoatLove · #18 12/01/06, 10:22 AM

I have both and love both. Yes, my Pygmy is rambunctious and roudy sometimes, but I find it funny when he runs laps around the pen and the big goats

moonspinner · #19 12/01/06, 10:42 AM

Given your needs either breed would make fine pets. I guess it would come down to what type appeals more to you.

waygr00vy · #20 12/01/06, 02:49 PM

I have both and would have to agree with the "spoiled brat" comment. My pygmies are more of the trouble makers...first ones to mess up the new fence, fit through a hole and show the others how, knock the others out of the way at feeding time. I finally sold one of my does that always threw beatiful sets of twins but she just made life much more difficult! Once she was gone, it was amazing how peaceful everything was...and how much better the fence held together!! I do agree, it does have alot to do with the individual goat as well. I do love the colors of the nigerians though, and those blue eyes! I like my crosses alot too.