AFRICAN PYGMY GOAT
Capra aegagrus hircus
The African Pygmy goat is a miniature goat, known for their amazing ability at being able to adapt to any climate. The breed was first developed in Africa from the West African Dwarf Goat and are very similar in appearance. They can now be found all over Europe, having been taken by the British during the colonial era. From Europe, some of the breeds were then exported to the US, where they gained great popularity.
The little breed with a BIG personality…
The breed is very docile in nature and they make the perfect pets, which is the primary use of the breed now! A very friendly, hardy and good-natured breed, at maturity females, weigh anything up to 34kgs, while billies weigh as much as 39kgs. A miniature breed, they never grow in excess of 58cms tall.
Reproduction
A prolific breeder, a nanny can bear up to four kids every 9 to 12months, while the gestation period is five months. Females reach sexual maturity at approximately 18months, though some have conceived as young as two months old! Males meanwhile are sexually mature as early as 9 weeks old! When born, kids will nurse straight away and can be weaned as early as ten weeks old!
