It is about this time of year I start getting phone calls from people looking for a stud goat for their two or three females. As a garden goat keeper I have been in this same position many times. Most people who keep their goats in the garden are not able to keep a male for several reasons. They probably do not have the space to keep him in a separate area from the females; also the proximity to the neighbours of a smelly and sometimes noisy male goat is not going to make you very popular. A stud male needs at least five females to keep him happy and they should only be kept by experienced goat keepers.

It is always difficult when I receive one of these phone calls as it is very difficult for me to help.  Since the Foot and Mouth outbreak in 2001, stud goat owners have, understandably, been reluctant to loan their goats, especially to someone who they do not know.

In the past, boarding your goat was quite usual but this practice has almost ceased in some areas, although there are still a few members who will allow this, and their addresses can be found in the breeders list on the club website. If you intend to breed your females and need access to a registered male I would advise you to start visiting agricultural shows in your area where they are holding pygmy goat shows. Speak to the exhibitors showing their goats, even better, start showing your goats yourself. Once you have established contact with other goat keepers face to face it is much more likely they will be willing to lend you a male.

A word of warning. Make sure that the male you use is registered with the Pygmy Goat Club. Check with the on-line herd book which will give you all his details as long as you know his name. If he is not registered then you will not be able to register any kids you may breed.

On another subject, if you, like me, live in a town with no access to a farmer with a barn full of meadow sweet hay, then obtaining good hay can be a problem. I am writing this at the end of July and for some time now, due apparently to the bad weather, the only hay within a reasonable distance has been very poor. It looks more like straw and my goats are nothing if not fussy; most of it has ended up in my wheelie bin. Someone recommended Horsehage as an alternative and said their goats loved it. Mine, unfortunately, did not, and I ended up using it as bedding for my trailer. So you can imagine my delight when going to buy some goat mix I was met by the aroma of sweet smelling hay, hundreds of bales fresh off the field. I was very excited (I don`t get out much) and managed to get five bales in my car. I returned twice more and now have enough hay to last the next few months. It took me two hours to clear the car out today but at least the goats are happy

Regards

Viv McNeil