African Dwarf Goat: Characteristics and Some Important Facts

Dwarf goats are considered the best breed of miniature dairy goats. The African dwarf goat is a breed of goat native to West Africa. They are native to the Cameroon Valley in West Africa. They were shipped to the United States in the late 1950s.

Like small pygmy goats, African pygmy goats are also good milkers. They also produce huge amounts of milk relative to their body size. Currently, most breeders breed this breed of goat mainly because of their high milk production.

A female can produce around 4 pounds of milk per day during lactation. They are also suitable for meat production.

And some also grow them for meat production. Some people also keep these African dwarf goats as pets.

They are well behaved and are also very friendly with people. With proper care and management, they can produce their maximum.

Here we will tell you more about their appearance, habits, nutrition, temperament and breeding. Learn more about African dwarf goats below.

Physical characteristics of the African dwarf goat

Like all other breeds of goats, male African Dwarf goats are called males and females are called females. The average height of an adult African Dwarf goat is 16 to 23 inches. A goat weighs between 27 and 39 kg and a goat between 24 and 34 kg.

African dwarf goats are available in dark caramel, red caramel and white caramel colors. You may also see the light gray agouti, the dark gray agouti, and the medium gray African agouti dwarf goat.

Houses

Like other breeds of goats, they are also very intelligent and inquisitive. To keep African Dwarf goats in a barnyard, you will need a well-ventilated, draft-free housing system. They do not like the cold and the rain.

You’ll need a tall, sturdy fence around your farm to keep them safe inside and protect them from all kinds of wildlife and predators.

Do not use barbed wire to fence them. They always need enough space to move around. Use for them concrete floors with high wooden platforms.

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The feeding system of African dwarf goats is much the same as that of all other domestic goats. Feed them small grains (at least 3 times a week) with enough green vegetables. You can give them any kind of vegetables, fruits, leaves or other green vegetables.

Alfalfa, alfalfa cubes and prairie hay are also helpful. Indoor plants, bulbous plants, onions, oleanders, rhododendrons, etc. Harmful to African dwarf goats. Remove these plants from your garden or pasture.

Temperament

The African dwarf goat is very friendly and docile in nature. They are also very curious, playful and intelligent. They are very good as pets. You can consider some African pygmies as pets with their milk production.

reproduction

On average, the African dwarf goat has more than one breeding cycle per year. After successful breeding, the gestation period is about 151 days. The African pygmy fallow deer can produce 1-4 babies every 9-12 months.

Pygmy females reach maturity and become suitable for breeding at 12 to 18 weeks of age. There is no specific breeding time for these goats. Pygmy females are also capable of conceiving a child at 2 months. They can usually live 8 to 12 years.

Some Important Facts About African Dwarf Goats

African dwarf goats are very cute, gentle and very playful. Here are some important facts about this goat.

• In Middle Eastern countries, African dwarf goats have been domesticated for about 10,000 years.
• African pygmies resemble Nigerian dwarf goats. Nigerian dwarf goats are another miniature dairy goat.
• African pygmies are good milkmaids. They can breastfeed from 6 months to 10 months. And they produce a good amount of milk relative to their body size.
• Like other deer, African pygmy deer have a scent. But they will have a less unpleasant cattle odor if kept away from males. Males have scent glands between and behind their horns, as well as tiny scent glands in various parts of the body. And males tend to urinate on their beards and sometimes on their front legs.
• African pygmies have short, straight horns compared to males.
• These goats can survive well in various conditions. Even they can survive in a place where food is scarce. They are excellent for jumping and climbing.
• They don’t like it and drink dirty water. Always drink fresh water (otherwise they don’t drink at all).
• They are very playful and friendly with people.

Check out the complete African Dwarf Goat breed profile in the following table.