Pygmy Goat Size: How Large Will Your Pygmy Goat Get? 

Pygmy goats are absolutely adorable; there’s no doubt about that. However, it’s highly important to keep in mind that they won’t always stay as small as they are at birth – and by the time your pygmy goat is fully grown at around three years, they won’t be as pygmy after all. But how large will your pygmy goat get? Are pygmy goats similar to micro pigs, which typically grow to obscene sizes down the line? Or will pygmy goats likely stay small throughout their lives? We’ve covered everything you need to know about pygmy goat size as follows to help you find the ideal solutions for your new pygmy.

How Big Will Your Pygmy Goat Get? 

Before we go any further, one of the first things we’ll need to consider is the typical mature weight of a pygmy goat. Generally speaking, most pygmy goats are only a couple of pounds (or less) at birth. However, as with many other goat breeds, they tend to mature pretty quickly. As such, by the time your pygmy goat is fully grown, it will likely be around 50 pounds, give or take a little, depending on gender and genetics.

Of course, a fat pygmy goat will always weigh more than a thin pygmy goat of comparable size and shape. As such, you should always keep a close eye on your pygmy goat’s body condition score, especially if your pygmy goat is substantially more than 60 pounds in weight.

It’s also worth noting here that while most people keep pygmy goats as pets, they are officially considered a miniature meat breed of goat. As such, this certainly explains their rapid growth rates! The dairy equivalent of a pygmy goat is the Nigerian Dwarf.

What is the Daily Weight Gain of a Pygmy Goat?

The daily weight gain of your young pygmy goat will vary based on numerous different factors. However, generally speaking, a pygmy goat should grow by a minimum of four pounds per month or around 60g per day. However, you may notice that faster-growing pygmy goats could gain around 8 pounds per month or up to 120g per day. 

This varies depending on the goat’s genetics, feed supply, nutrition, and the like. However, it’s important to recognize that every pygmy goat is different, so the best way to assess this may be based on your goat’s parents and siblings and their typical growth rates.

How Fast do Pygmy Goats Grow? 

Pygmy goats grow very quickly, as we’ve already clarified. So, if you’re buying a pygmy goat that has just been weaned from its mother, don’t expect it to stay that size for very long! As such, by a few months old, your pygmy goat will likely be around 10-20 pounds; by a year old, it will usually have reached most of its mature weight.

Your pygmy goat will probably continue to grow until the age of three roughly; however, by two years old, it will probably slow down significantly again. After the age of three, you may notice that your pygmy goat grows outwards rather than up as it begins to muscle up.

How Tall is a Pygmy Goat Usually?

It’s all well and good talking about how big your pygmy goat will get in terms of weight, but what about height? Well, this will vary significantly depending on the type of pygmy goat you’ve purchased and their genetics.

As such, your pygmy goat will usually be roughly the same height as the parents (or the average of their heights). Most pygmy goats are hence between fifteen and twenty inches tall, based on measurements to the shoulder; of course, their head and horns will be much higher still. 

Make Sure You’re Feeding Your Pygmy Goat Right to Help Them Grow

At this point, we’ve outlined some of the key things you need to know about how big a pygmy goat will get – but how should you be feeding them to achieve that height? Will overfeeding your pygmy goat make them taller, and vice versa? Well, this doesn’t have to be too difficult a challenge.

The first tip we’d give here is: ask the breeder of your pygmy goat how much they feed. Every breeder tends to feed different amounts of feed, and you may want to first start by following their guidance and experience.

From here, feeding your pygmy goat should generally be based on their body condition. If your pygmy goat has become too fat, they likely don’t need as much food, as they’re putting the food into growing outwards rather than upwards! However, if your pygmy goat is losing a little weight, you may need to up their ration.

However, this decision should always be made with veterinary advice. After all, it’s not just incorrect feeding that influences how big your pygmy goat will get and its body condition. For example, worms may increase the amount of food that your pygmy goat will need to maintain its condition. So, you should always check for potential underlying issues before you begin upping your goat’s feed if you’re concerned they’re not growing; fortunately, your vet will be able to help with this.

Final Thoughts

Pygmy goats are some of the most iconic and adored goat breeds, and when you look at those cheeky little faces, it really isn’t easy to say no! And luckily, unlike many other animals sold as micro breeds, pygmy goats do not grow to obscene sizes once they mature, so they’ll always stay small and sweet. However, a pygmy crossbred goat will likely grow a lot larger than a purebred pygmy goat, and you should always feed your pygmy goat carefully to ensure that they’re still getting plenty of energy, protein, and nutrients to grow well. Don’t leave this to chance – find the perfect solutions for your needs overall.