[john2708]

hi a guy has offered me £30 each for my three pygmy boy kids is this a good price

[Brucklay]

This is a bit difficult - I would say no but then your looking for a home for them and are not in a position to keep them so that's probably different. I remember a long time ago when I was looking into birds of prey - Bengal eagle owl £100 - lives 30 years + and required an avairy that costs around £500 to build and that's just materials (joiner OH) it does make me a bit mad that people expect to pay a relative small amount for an animal/bird whatever that requires housing/vets/feed/love/attention etc - if they can not afford the standard £100 to £150 for a pygmy wether are they going to afford the vet!! Now I will get off my high horse and do something constructive. Must add £150 is for a registered wether pygmy, I don't remember if your's are registered. Godd luck

[john2708]

no there no and there not weathers either of course i would check out were there living from what he has told me they would be going to a nice place with other goats plus he wonts all three

[Brucklay]

So 3 entire males - all going together to a goat lover with any luck it could work out - sorry didn't want to put a downer on things

[john2708]

are you saying what i think your saying im a newbie at this kinda thing sorry if i sound dumb

[Anke]

Seems someone is having you on.... No way that one person will keep three entire boys, that are also related within one herd? He will either get them castrated, then sell on at a profit or try and sell them on separately at a profit.

I guess as they are pygmies there is no meat trade involved?

[john2708]

thanks for the help i think ill keep them a get them castrated thanks for your help

[Brucklay]

Sorry I wan't trying to have you on at all - and I am no expert by any means just don't think you should give them away - was trying to say it did seem a little too good to be true but you never know - trying to be supportive when faced with a difficult decision but my OH said exactly what Anke said - and he's not the goat person - I'm too trusting and always think good of people. Getting them caustrated shouldn't cost too much £15 -£20 each and then you should have no problems - please take this in the spirt it's written I do wish you luck in finding them a good home

[john2708]

my local vet has quoted me £75 each to get them castrated thanks for all your help

[jaykay]

That's very steep from the vet. Are they small animal vets mainly, ie quoting you 'dog prices'? Might be worth finding a farm vet?
How old are the boys now?

[john2708]

that is my local farm vet the boys are 2 months old

[Roxy]

That sounds an awful lot for a small goat.,  I have large ponies castrated, and taking into account their size, for medication, it costs me around £150.

At two months old, they will be very small, and surely its not a big job like a large older billy?  They certainly would not need large doses of meds, which pushes the price up.  Is there no other vet you could ask to see if its cheaper?

I think that if they were castrated, you could probably sell them easier, and get your money back, as pygmy goats are in demand.  Admittedly, not intact ones.

As to the man wanting to buy - he could possibly want them for the food chain maybe?  I rescued some castrated male goats, big ones. Advertised two free of charge.  One man pestered to have them, but I knew that he sells a lot of goats on preloved, and I only wanted good permanent homes for them.  Another kept ringing  and I got the impression he wanted them for killing as he was more interested in the size than anything else!!  He even got his wife to ring up, but no way would he get them.  So, just be aware of who is out there.  There are lots of genuine people who will rehome goats, but not 3 intact ones together, especially if its going to cost £75 to castrate them.

I

[john2708]

well i have been looking on the net for other local farm vets and iv found a few a bit further out but not to far i think if i get them castrated ill end up keeping them as i am growing attached to the little guys they have become very frendly and love to nibble your fingers and be rubed between there horns thanks for all the help

[Roxy]

I think keeping them would be good. At least them would have a nice home with you.  And castrated there will be no smell at all.  Just make sure your fences are high - believe me, pygmy goats are small, but they can jump!!

[john2708]

ow i know i field backs on to a nature reserve and they managed to get over a 5ft fence and they were away took me three hours to get them back in the only problem i have is the mums and baby all live together and they seem to ram each others babys realy hard is that normal