[Chicken_House]

We have recently decided that we would like to add a couple of Pygmy Goats to our ever growing managerie. We'd like some Kids so that they can grow up with us and our kids!

I haven't done an exhaustive search yet but my question is I'm only seeing Ads for pygmy kids on free ad sites or preloved sites and my fear is that using these types of sites, can lead to exploitation of animals in the worst way.

Does anyone have any recommendations or ideas of how best to purchase goats specifically (we are based in Surrey)? Do I just need to search harder to find a local farm or am I completely wrong in not trusting the free ad sites?

Lastly, I'm suddenly under attack constantly by Stanley our resident cockerel (Spring time with his ladies, I'm guessing) but would I find female goats a little less bolshy than males or should we take one of each gender? Any recommendations or thoughts?

Please no nasty comments, we are new to this and might not know everything but our animals are loved and well looked after and we seem to find our feet quite quickly with our pigs, chickens etc. Thank you . X

[Fleecewife]

Hi there.  To get off on the right foot, see http://pygmygoatclub.org.uk/ which is the breed society.  That way you will find proper breeders of pedigree animals.  Lots of people do get livestock through the pre-owned ads type source, but I'm like you and prefer to go to the top.  Choose somewhere you can see the nanny and billy and be satisfied with how your goats have been reared.  They won't be pennies but you definitely get what you pay for, and there is some sort of implicit guarantee when buying from a breed society member.  I'm envious as I would love pygmy goats too, but it won't happen now.
You could also visit agricultural and smallholders shows where you would meet local breeders, and get yourself invited to visit their stock.


I can't help with your other questions except - when a cockerel becomes aggressive, especially when you have children, it's time to put him in the pot 

[Chicken_House]

Thank you so much for all the information. Lots to digest. Many thanks x