Pygmy goats are just that–goats that are really small. You can milk them, but it’s a lot of effort for little reward.
So why have they been such a hit for the last 12 years at the McHenry County Fair?
“They’re fun to be around, easy to care for, and they make good pets,” said Patrick Douglas, 17, of Woodstock, who has four pygmy goats and has competed in the fair for five years.
Pygmy goats grow to between 16 and 23 inches long and weigh 50 to 60 pounds. At $200 to $300 each and about $100 a year in care costs, they are also affordable.
The 4-H’ers had their pygmy show with about 30 goats on Wednesday.
An open competition–judged much like a dog show–is set for 10 a.m. Sunday.
“It’s just fun being here,” said Amber Lanzer, 14, of Richmond, with mother goat “Isabelle,” and three-month-old babies “Premo” and “Daisy” in tow. “Every goat places, and it’s nice to see all the other pygmy goats.”
