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WHAT IS A
PYGORA GOAT?
The Pygora goat is a breed purposely bred and then registered in Oregon
by Katherine Jorgensen. She wanted an animal, which would produce fine
fiber for hand spinning. She bred the Pygmy, a goat with short, soft down
to the Angora, a goat with long silky fleece. The Pygora Breeders
Association was formed in 1987. Since then, the Pygora has increased in
number and popularity.
Do the parent animals have to be registered to make a Pygora?
In order to register kids with PBA, both parents must be registered.
Parents of first-generation goats must be registered with the National
Pygmy Goat Association (NPGA) and the American Angora goat Breeders
Association (AAGBA). No other registrations are accepted. In order
to register kids from Pygora parents, both parents must be registered with
PBA.
Does it matter which breed, Pygmy or Angora, is used as the doe?
No, either way a Pygora goat is the result. However, if a Pygmy doe is
chosen, consideration must be given to her size to insure a trouble-free
delivery. Kidding problems are infrequent, and the kids are very vigorous
and usually up and nursing within 15 minutes.
What size are the kids and adults?
Most kids are about 5 pounds at birth. Again, it may depend on which
breed is used as the doe.
Does range in weight from 65 to 75 pounds, while bucks and wethers
range from 75 to 95 pounds. PBA has minimum height requirements of 18
inches for does and 23 inches for bucks. There is no maximum height
restriction.
Must Pygoras be 50% Angora and 50% Pygmy?
No, the mixture may contain up to, but not more than, 75% of one
of the parent breeds.
Is the first-generation cross registerable as a Pygora?
Technically the first generation, or "F1" is not a true
Pygora, but a hybrid. A hybrid is not a breed until it breeds
"true". We do, however, register "F1" goats and they
are shown only in "F1" classes and are not eligible for
championships.
Is registration automatic for kids of registered animals?
No, in order to be permanently registered, a Pygora must have fleece.
Pre-registration is issued to a goat under 8 months of age. For permanent
registration a fleece sample and picture of the goat in fleece must be
submitted with the application.
What colors are Pygoras?
PBA accepts all Pygmy colors and their dilutions plus white. Color
markings resembling other breeds are not acceptable.
What is the personality of the Pygora?
Pygoras have the docility of the Angora and the spunk and playfulness
of the Pygmy. They have the curiosity of the cat and experience their
world like a 2-year-old human; everything new must be tasted!
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Do Pygoras require any special care?
Pygoras should be treated like any other goat. Hay, grain, minerals,
and water requirements can be found in any good book on goats. Also be
sure to take note of and follow the guidelines for hoof care and
vaccinations. Find a good veterinarian who knows goats, and develop a
trusting relationship with him/her before you have a sick animal.
Prevention is easier, cheaper, and has better results. On the whole,
Pygoras tend to be exceptionally hardy.
Do Pygoras have horns?
Yes, both parent breeds are naturally horned. PBA allows goats to be
shown with or without horns. The majority of PBA members do disbud their
animals at a young age for their own convenience (keeps animals from
getting hung up in field fence, for example), or to provide a safer animal
for 4-H projects. Whether or not to disbud is a personal preference and
decision.
Can a person own just one Pygora?
Yes, but it is not recommended. Goats are herd animals and need
company, preferably another goat. A single goat tends to be lonely, noisy,
and not much fun for themselves or their owners.
Do Pygora bucks smell?
Yes, all bucks smell, especially during the breeding season. The Pygora
buck smells stronger than an Angora buck, but less than a Pygmy buck. When
breeding season is over, Pygora bucks have very little scent.
When is breeding season?
The length of the day is the major trigger for does to come into
season. Being close to a buck also helps cause the does to cycle. Each
spring and fall the does will cycle and the bucks will start spraying
themselves, putting on the cologne "guaranteed to get that special
doe". The average cycle for does is every 18-23 days.
What is the gestation of
Pygoras?
Pygoras have a gestation of 5 months, or 145-153 days.
How many times a year can you breed Pygora goats?
It is possible to get 3 kiddings in 2 years. This is hard on the doe,
and should not be done often. Extra feed and care is a necessity for these
does.
Can you milk Pygoras?
Yes, Pygoras give about 1 quart of milk a day.
FLEECE
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Do all Pygoras have the same fleece type?
No, there are three different fleece types. No one type is
"better" than the other is; they just have different
characteristics.
Type "A": (Angora type)---A long, lustrous fiber up to 6
inches long, hanging in long, curly locks. The hair coat is not obvious on
a type "A" animal. This fiber is very fine mohair. Some type
"A", "F1" Pygoras are single coated. These animals
must be shorn.
Type "B": (Blend type)---A blend of the Pygmy goat undercoat
which is cashmere and the Angora mohair. It is between 3 and 6 inches
long, and it has a nice crimp (curl). The second coat is usually obscured
by the type "B" fleeces that is 3 to 6 inches long. Type
"B" can either be lustrous (shiny), or have a matte (dull)
finish. This fleece type is the most common, and these goats may be shorn,
combed, or plucked.
Type "C ": (Cashmere type)---A very fine fiber, with no
luster, and length of 1 to 3 inches. The hair coat looks very coarse in
comparison to the two types above. Type "C" can be acceptable
commercial cashmere. These goats may be shorn or combed.
Do you have to harvest the fleece?
Yes, and no. True Type "A" animals must be shorn. Types
"B" and "C" will shed out (blow) their fleeces in the
spring if the fiber is not removed. All types will matt if left too long
on the animal.
When do you shear?
Most breeders shear before kidding in late winter. Weather is a big
consideration, and supplying freshly shorn goats with adequate bedding and
shelter is very important. Hand or electric shears with a goat comb, or
household scissors may be used to shear. If the fleece is to be used by
hand spinners, cleanliness and the absence of second cuts are important.
How do you harvest if you choose to comb or pluck?
In the early spring, keep checking the goats to see when they first
start shedding their fleece. A plastic hairbrush, pet grooming brush or
cotton carder may be used. Hand plucking is simply gently pulling the
fleece from the animal-it should come off easily! Goats generally do not
shed all at once, so should be combed or plucked every few days.
Experiment to see what works best for you!
How much fleece is produced by a Pygora?
Most Pygoras produce from 6 ounces to 2 pounds per shearing. Many Type
"A"s are sheared twice per year.
How do you prepare the fleece for spinning?
The goat's fleece should be brushed or blown out before harvesting in
order to remove as much hay, seeds, and debris as possible. The harvested
fleece may be spun before washing. If washed before spinning care should
be taken, as with any raw fiber, not to felt it.
What is the spun fleece like?
There is little to no lanolin in Pygora fleece, so care must be taken
not to over-spin it. It blends very well with wool and silk. Pygora fleece
takes beautifully to natural, commercial or Kool-Aid dyes.
Home
About
Hawks Mountain Ranch Pygora Goats |
Our Herd Management Practices | What
is A Pygora Goat? | Frequently asked
Questions about Pygora Goats | How
to Prepare & Spin Pygora Goat Fiber | The
Pygora Goat as a Fiber Breed | Our
Herd Sires | Magazine
& newspaper clippings about our Pygora Goats | Fun
photos of our Pygora Goats and our farm | Shipping
our Pygora Goats across the U.S. | Products
made from Pygora Goat Fiber | Pygora
Goat Health and Kidding Info
E-Mail Us:
Lisa@hawksmtnranch.com |
Pygora
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