Howdy, Y'all!
This is Roxie, original owner of 2CrazyGoatLadies. I have gone SOLO!!! I have found I can only guarantee what is under MY watch. I raise Pygmy/Nigerian Dwarf goats in Hamilton, Texas. I started with a pet goat in the house, with a diaper on. Goats are like potato chips. You can’t just have one. I love to help people get addicted to the fun of raising Texas Pygmy and Nigerian Dwarf goats, just like I did. I have had so many wonderfully happy moments with my Pygmy and Nigerian Dwarf goats. I have a “goat closet.” This means I have a closet full of every trick of the trade for helping a goat in time of need. Not only that, I have a climate controlled barn for my herd. Nobody getting too hot or cold at my place!
My Story
I raise Texas Pygmy/Nigerian Dwarf goats. Most of my customers buy my goats for pets. Also most people think any small goat is a pygmy. There is a difference in the two breeds and I cross breed them to get the best of both worlds. Pygmy goats are one of the hardiest breeds. A Pygmy goat is generally smaller than a Nigerian Dwarf goat. Pygmy goats only come in solid colors such as white, black, caramel, and agouti. Pygmy goats do have accents in black on their legs, face, and down their back.
Nigerian goats can even have blue eyes, with a “splashy” tri-colored coat. Pygmy goats will give you 'tiny,' while Nigerian Dwarf goats will give you 'colorful'. I breed for tiny and colorful; hence, why I cross Pygmy with Nigerian Dwarf. I also try to have polled (genetically no horns) if at all possible. This is important if you want a horn free herd. If they do get horns I have them disbudded at about a week old if you do not want horns. So …… if I can get a blue eyed, tri-colored, little, and polled, I have hit the jackpot! I am very careful about rotating billys, and I do not line breed (breed relatives to get good traits). My focus is on health first, and traits second. These are my babies. Many are born in the house. I have chosen to organically worm my herd, and this process is time consuming as well as costly, but SO worth it!!!
All goats are great at clearing brush. If you have large acreage, they will keep it mowed for you. The big threats to goats, especially the babies, are predators. I put my goats up at night to try and reduce this risk. Coyotes, fox, and large cats will get a baby real quick. Many goat owners have guard dogs or llamas with their herds.
If you are a first-time goat owner, I recommend you get a mentor or ask me lots of questions, or let me be your mentor. I'm good with that. I don’t recommend you have just one goat. Goats do better with a playmate, or could end up expecting you to be theirs 24/7. It won’t take long for that fun to get old. Wethers “fixed” boy goats make great pets. I recommend that you fix your billy, if he is bought to be a pet. Since goats can breed early, my vet recommends fixing boys no sooner than 3 months, and says it is risky to wait much longer if you have females around. I don't consider breeding my females until they are at least a year old. My goats are so small that sometimes I have to wait until they are almost two for their safety and the safety of the babies. Many goat owners have different timelines that they recommend, this is my recommendation, per my vet.
So in closing ……… I would love to sell you a goat, be your goat mentor, and have you join in my obsessive habit. I love talking goats. To the best of my knowledge, all the goats I sell are healthy. I have repeat customers, and they believe in the quality of my goats. I strive to do the right thing, and maintain a high quality goat herd. I feel quality is way more important than quantity. Email me at Roxie2CrazyGoatLadies@gmail.com, visit me on Facebook at Roxiethecrazygoatlady.com (old page was hacked), or pick up the phone and call me.