Miniature goats are friendly, funny, and adorable animals that make excellent pets for people of all ages and families with children. Mini goats are easy to raise, require less space, less feed, less fencing, and are less expensive than large goat breeds.
But how much do miniature goats cost? There are several miniature goat breeds, and the cost varies depending on the breed. For example, pygmy goats cost as much as $400 from a reputable goat breeder. Registered breeding quality Nigerian dwarf goats cost from $500 to $1100 for does and doelings and $600 to $1200 for bucklings.
Looking for a mini goat breed for milk production or to raise as a pet? Read on! In this article, we’ll break down the cost of buying a mini goat and tell you what you need to own one.
What Breed of Goat Is the Smallest?
The Nigerian dwarf goat is the smallest breed of domestic goat. This miniature breed of dairy goat originates in West Africa but was developed in the United States.
According to the American Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Association standard, Nigerian dwarf goats shouldn’t measure more than 22.5” at the withers for does and 23.5” at the withers for bucks.
Small size and shorter height are the breed’s most notable characteristics. However, this mini goat breed is also known for its high-quality milk with an unusually high butterfat content.
Prices of Miniature Goats
How much a miniature goat cost depends on the breed, pedigree, size, color, and sex. Check out the average cost of the most popular miniature goat breeds:
Pygmy Goat Cost
Pygmy is a small American goat breed with a stocky and compact build. Male pygmy goats are 16 to 23 inches tall and weigh 50 to 70 pounds. Females are slightly smaller, growing 16 to 22 inches tall and weighing 40 to 70 pounds.
A pygmy goat costs anywhere from $100 to $800, depending on the color, breeder, location, sex, and age. If you’re interested in showing pygmy goats, expect to spend from $800 to $1500 for a registered doe or buck.
Nigerian Dwarf Goat Cost
The Nigerian dwarf goat is an American breed of dwarf goat. These small but well-proportioned goats look like miniature copies of larger dairy goats.
Quality Nigerian dwarf milk goats cost from $250 to $350. If you’re looking for a registered breeding quality Nigerian dwarf goat, expect to pay much more.
Breeding quality Nigerian dwarf does range from $500 to $1100, and bucks cost from $600 to $1200. Pet quality Nigerian dwarf goats cost around $300.
Mini Silky Fainting Goat Cost
Mini silk fainting goats are not only exotic, glamorous, gentle, and funny and make great pets and show animals. The prices vary depending on coat quality and color but expect to pay $700 to $1200 for dogs and $500 to $1000 for bucks.
Mini silk fainting wethers usually cost around $350 and make wonderful pets.
Australian Miniature Goat Cost
The Australian miniature goat breed was mainly developed from Nubian, Cashmere, and Angora breeds combined with feral Australian field goats. Wild goats are usually much smaller than pedigreed stock and are suitable for creating miniature goat breeds.
Prices of Australian miniature goats vary, depending on height, pedigree, coat color, and sex. The Australian mini goat cost ranges from $250 to $750.
Mini Nubian Goat Cost
A mini-Nubian goat is a small-sized goat breed created by crossing a standard Nubian dairy goat and a Nigerian dwarf goat. These goats have a friendly, docile, and active disposition and produce excellent milk.
Expect to pay from $340 to $450 for a high-quality miniature Nubian goat. However, you may find unregistered pet-quality doelings for as little as $100.
Pygora Goat Cost
The Pygora goat breed was developed by crossing a pygmy goat and a white Angora goat. These miniature goats produce three different types of fleece.
Pygora goats cost around $300, but the price can vary depending on the size, age, pedigree, and sex. Adult Pygora goats usually cost more than younger goats, and the amount of fleece the goat can produce affects the price as well.
How Big Is a Miniature Goat?
Most miniature goat breeds grow 16 to 23 inches tall and are usually as big as a medium-sized dog. Nigerian dwarf and pygmy goats are the smallest “true” miniature goats. Unlike them, designer mini goats like Pygora or miniature Nubian goats are taller than 23 inches but shorter than 30 inches.
What Do I Need to Have a Miniature Goat as a Pet?
Keeping miniature goats as pets requires some land, fence, and shelter. If you feed pellets or hay to your goats, they can thrive on a quarter-acre property. But if your minis need to rely on shrubs, grass, and weeds for feed, you’ll need more land for them to forage.
Miniature goats are hardy animals, but they still need shelter to stay warm and dry in cold weather. Give your goats access to shade during sweltering summer months to keep them healthy and prevent heat exhaustion.
Fencing is your best bet for keeping your goats contained. Miniature goats are curious creatures that love to jump, climb, and investigate everything, so keeping them contained is essential. Otherwise, your pet will soon find a way into your vegetable or flower garden.
Conclusion
There are several breeds of miniature goats. How much miniature goats cost depends on many factors, including the breed, age, sex, pedigree, coat color, and size.
Nigerian dwarf goats, pygmy goats, mini Nubians, and Pygora are the most popular miniature goat breeds in the US. These goats make fantastic pets and are easy to raise by hobby keepers.
Don’t forget that goats are herd animals that need the company of at least one goat to stay healthy and happy. So, if you’re considering a miniature goat as a pet, you’ll need to get two.
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