How Much Does a Pygmy Goat Cost?


Written by:  Howmuchisit.org Staff

Originally known as the Cameroon dwarf goat, the pygmy goat is a social animal that thrives in a herd due to its innate need of companionship.  Although they are primarily kept as pets, pygmy goats can also be milk producers and working animals.

Goat Off! by Pinti 1, on Flickr
Goat Off!” (CC BY 2.0) by  Pinti 1

How much does a pygmy goat cost?

The average cost of a baby pygmy goat will depend on the colors, gender, breeder, quality, age and geographical location.  Most pygmy goats can range from as little as $75 to $400.  A wether, which refers to a castrated billy, can cost $125 to $175, on average, whereas a mature male or female can be double this.  A faulted female, which means there are random white markings on the fur, could be much less than a registered male with no signs of undesirable characteristic.

Do keep in mind, however, that any goat, regardless of the breed, is considered to be a herd animal, meaning you should never keep less than two.  So when budgeting, it’s wise to multiply your estimate by the number of goats you plan on adopting.  In most cases, if you plan on buying a pygmy goat for pet purposes, then two castrated males may suffice.

On Hoobly.com, an online classified website similar to Craigslist, for instance, has a handful of classified ads, with prices ranging from $125 to $175.

Type of PygmyAverage Price
Neutered Male$50 to $100
Registered Buck$150 to $275
Registered Doeling$225 to $400
Retired Older Female/Male$50 to $100
Unregistered Buck$75 to $150
Unregistered Doeling$100 to $150
Wethers$75 to $125

Pygmy goat overview

A reputable breeder won’t offer their goat up for adoption until they reach eight to 12 weeks old since they are still feeding on a bottle, slowly weaning off.  Unless you want to bottle feed, a pygmy goat, at this age, will become more independent and can handle the stress of going to a new home.

Most breeders should include written registration papers, up-to-date vaccinations, a checkup from a licensed vet, a test for diseases and a health guarantee.  At 10 to 12 weeks old, if the goat hasn’t been vaccinated yet, then they should have a vaccine against clostridial diseases and should be started on a parasite control program.

At full grown size, females, on average, can weigh 50 to 75 pounds, whereas a male can weigh slightly more at 60 to 85 pounds.  Their height can range from 16 to 24 inches.

As long as healthy, a pygmy goat can live eight to 12 years old.

What are the extra costs?

If you never owned a goat before, you will need to budget for an appropriate shelter with bedding, which should, at a minimum be at least eight feet by six feet long, a grassed area to graze, secure fencing and a suitable play area with climbable objects.    Depending on the size and the materials being used to create your new area, the costs can cost close to $1,000+

A pygmy goat will feed on grain and hay throughout the day and should always have a steady supply.  The National Pygmy Goat Association recommends avoiding changing their diet as it can cause severe stomach upsets.  If you have to change their diet, it’s best to do so gradually over the span of seven to 10 days.  According to owners, you should budget about $300 a year for the feed.

A goat should have its hooves trimmed every eight weeks, and while you can do it, a professional can charge $25 to $50, if you were to hire a professional.

Veterinary bills, just like other pets, may pop up from time to time and need to be budgeted for.  Vaccines, if you were to do it on your own, can cost less than $25 a year, whereas a wormer can be double this.

Tips to know:

Before adopting a goat, refer to your zoning restrictions to make sure owning a goat is legal.

The Pocket Farm Magazine highly recommends buying from a stock registered with the Pygmy Goat Club as this is the only way to determine a goat’s true status.

The pygmy goat is adaptable to any climate but is known to be happiest during the winter.

In the United States, only seven colors are approved and are categorized into caramel patterned, agouti patterned, and black patterned.


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