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Before you even start researching the breed and/or breeders, you need to have answers to the following questions: 1. Is the area you are living in zoned for Pygmy goats? You can ask your local zoning board office or building inspector. They may need to do a bit of sleuthing themselves if the zoning codes or municipal ordinances are not straightforward but be sure to get a definitive answer before you purchase. The last thing you want is to purchase a Pygmy goat, fall in love with it (which I am sure you will do), and then be told they are not allowed within the city/town limits. And even if your city/town allows Pygmy goats, you might run into homeowner association restrictions or other codes. Do your research to avoid any potential problems down the road! So you’ve been given the go ahead to raise Pygmy goats on your property. There are several questions you need to ask yourself. 1. Do I have enough room to own Pygmy goats? How many? Pygmy goats are herd animals and do best in pairs, so think about your future plans as well as the purchase you are planning today. 2. Am I dedicated enough to feed these animals at least twice daily with fresh water and food, in all kinds of weather? Will I keep up with their medical needs such as worming and am I willing to learn how to trim hooves. Even though these services can be purchased, it is much more cost-effective to do them yourself. 3. Do I have an adequate set-up for these adorable little critters? In most cases this means a small enclosed area/barn where they can get out of the elements, with direct access to an outside enclosure for fresh air and exercise. Pygmy goats love to play, jump, climb and run! 4. Am I willing to invest my time to learn more about these animals so I can become knowledgeable enough to raise these adorable goats; becoming well versed in animal husbandry? 5. Is there a vet nearby who has treated goats/and or some helpful goat clubs or breeders who are willing to help me learn more about these precious pets? If your answer is yes to these questions, you just might be a great potential goat owner!
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Putting the pieces together So you have done your initial research and know you want to purchase one, two, or a dozen Pygmy goats.. Your next important step is to find the right breeder. Ask each breeder the following questions and you will be able to sort through a list fairly quickly. A good breeder will not only be willing to answer your questions, they will applaud your efforts. Do they guarantee the health of their goats? For what amount of time? A breeder cannot guarantee the health of a goat for an extended period of time since the goat’s health is dependent on your care when the goat leaves the farm. Most reputable goat breeders will guarantee the goats are healthy when they leave their premises and if something comes up later, it can be addressed on a case-by-case basis. It is always a good idea to have your vet check the animal if you have concerns. Once an animal leaves the farm a health guarantee becomes more difficult beyond 48 hours. Do they test for the top goat diseases such as CAE, CL (Caseous Lymphadenitis) and Johne’s? If so, how often? The cost of the goat may be a bit higher because these tests are not cheap but you are saving yourself money and heartache in the long run. Several goat diseases are serious, lifethreating diseases that are contagious and extremely difficult to treat. Responsible goat breeders avoid these diseases no matter the cost. Do they practice good goat husbandry? Do they test for parasites and follow a vaccination sthedule? The goat you purchase, depending on age, should be up-to-date on all vaccinations and deworming. Does the breeder provide you with a written record of your goat’s treatments? Do they offer customer support after the purchase? Will they provide you with the information you need to care for your goats? Will they teach you how to trim a goat’s hooves? If the purchase is long distance, will they connect you with-someone locally who can help? Many times it is difficult to find a vet who works on goats so having local support and advice is important. Can they provide you with a listing of current feed and recommendations for the future? If local, can they provide you with a contact to purchase hay and other supplies? If you are wanting a registered Pygmy goat, can the breeder provide you with all the paperwork and details you need to register the goat? If it is an adult, the registration papers should be readily available. Additional questions need to be asked, dependent on your plans for your goats, If you want to show or breed them, other factors needs to be considered. Regardless of your plans, please realize that it will be your responsibility to care for and protect these animals. They do have predators including dogs and many wild animals that may be in your area such as coyotes, cougars and bobcats. Before you purchase a Pygmy Goat do your research on the breed and on potential breeders and make sure you can care for and protect these wonderful creatures. They will provide you with many, many years of joy!
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Do you plan on breedlng your goats? If so, the owner should guarantee fertility of the goat. If you are purchasing a baby, this is a bit more difficult for the breeder since they cannot guarantee the care you will provide the doe and other factors such as the buck you use. If you are purchasing an adult doe for breeding purposes, the breeder should provide you with a kidding history of the doe and her dam (mother). If she is a registered doe and has produced live kids, she will have a progeny sticker on her registration papers. Be sure you do your research before deciding to breed Pygmy goats. It can be one of the most wonderful experiences you will ever have but they are livestock and all livestock, or animals in general, can run into problems giving birth. Do you plan on showing your goats? If you plan on showing your goats, the breeder should be willing to help you in this endeavor or have contacts or groups of people in your area that can help you. The first step is researching the lineage of the goat you plan to purchase. Does she come from a solid background with lineage close-up that has won in the show ring? Purchasing a goat that comes from grand champions may be more expensive but this is a good start. Again, no breeder can guarantee a goat will win in the show ring. They can provide a goat with great potential but if you do not care for your goat appropriately, it will never reach its true potential. If you are purchasing a show goat, it should be free from “faults”, things they will be marked down in the show ring. Do they have an extra teat? An overbite? Are their markings atypical of a Pygmy goat? If you plan to show goats, you should review the Pygmy Goat Standard so you can ask the appropriate questions. The National Pygmy Goat Association can provide you with the breed standard and other helpful information on the NPGA’s website at http://www.npga-pygmy.com/. Are you purchasing your Pygmy goats as a pet? You want to purchase a goat that fits your needs. If you are looking for pets, two wethers (neutered males) may be a great fit. OR maybe a doe (female) and a wether. Discuss what you are looking for with potential breeders and they will help you choose wisely. You would not want a buck (intact male) as a pet as they have a definite odor. Males urinate on themselves to make themselves attractive to females but the odor is not necessarily attractive to people. Pricing: If you are looking for pets, wethers are possibly your best option. They are typically the least expensive and breeders can provide you with all the information you need to raise healthy, happy companion wethers. Does are typically more expensive than wethers. If you want a doe for a pet, the price could be similar to a wether, especially if she is mismarked or has a fault that eliminates her from the show ring. However, if you are looking for a doe to show and that can be bred, you are looking at a more expensive animal since she is the most valuable. A nice show doe can start your herd off the right way and potentially provide additional income and a nice return on your investment. Bucks can be as expensive as does if they are champion material. Many people take their doe(s) to visit a buck when they are in heat to alleviate the odor but they are as charming and lovable as the does. www.amberwaves.info
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So you have decided to purchase a Pygmy Goat, what now? Choose the breeder you want to purchase from very carefully. Do your research. Then contact them to visit the farm. While at the farm notice the overall health of all animals. Is the farm clean and organized? Do all the animals have proper shelter? Is there fresh feed and water for all the animals? Are the animals friendly and overall, happy and healthy? If so, and if you have asked and received positive responses to the questions inside this brochure, you can feel comfortable in purchasing your very first Pygmy goat. Good luck and happy tails! If the breeder you choose is not local, ask the breeder for references. Search the web for reviews, good and bad, and if everything appears to be in order, proceed with your purchase. If you are having your goat(s) shipped, be sure you purchase from someone who knows what they are doing. This step in the process is important and can make the difference between a smooth transition with a healthy goat or a bumpy road. What can Amber Waves Offer Their Customers ~~
32+ years of hands-on experience raising and loving Pygmy goats
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Yearly testing of all their goats for CAE, CL, and Johne’s
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Unmatched customer service. Amber Waves provides lifetime support and automated health reminders for the life of each animal purchased. You are provided with a combined 64+ years of experience - available, online, in person and by phone.
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Large inventory of breeding, showing and family pet goats
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NEW: Discounts for our veterans!
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Premier exporter of goats world-wide
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Happy, healthy and high quality miniature goats
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Online support with over 800 goats articles on their website at http://amberwavespygmygoats.com
Call us today to reserve your Pygmy Goat! Credit cards welcome
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Their Story Jim & Debbie Hosley have been raising Pygmy goats and other livestock animals in Southern California for for over 35 years. During this time they have become an internationally known and respected breeder, exporter and broker of Pygmy goats. But no matter how recognized Amber Waves becomes, there is one common theme that will never change; their love and commitment to all their adorable creatures. Perhaps that is why, when you Google Amber Waves on the internet, you will see mostly rave reviews even after 35+ years. Here’s why: XX Amber Waves is committed to producing and selling top quality goats from hand-raised family pets to individual breeding animals or complete herds. XX Jim & Debbie test their goats yearly for CAE, CL and Johne’s and all miniature goats are sold with a negative lab report for all of these diseases. XX A strict herd management program is in place for worming, parasites, and vaccinations. Your goat will also come to you dehorned. When your goat is taken home you can be confident it is a healthy, well-adjusted goat ready for your love and attention. XX Amber Waves has the best customer support you will find anywhere. They want you to succeed raising your goat and rely on happy customers and referkals as part of their business. They care about their goats and want to be sure they are well taken care of after the sale. That is why they provide automatic reminders when you goat needs shots or worming. They are available to their customers in person, by phone, email or text! XX Amber Waves provides customers with FREE Lifetime Support over the life of each animal purchase In addition to gaining a wonderful pet, you are also receiving the expert goat advice of over 35 years experience. This is priceless! XX Amber Waves has one of, if not the, largest variety of Pygmy goats to choose from. This includes color, temperament (bottle-raised or dam raised), quantity, show or pet. Whether you are looking for one goat, or a whole herd, Amber Waves has the right fit for you. Their kidding season is year-round so they have babies on a regular basis. In addition, they now offer other breeders’ animals through Amber Waves with the same lifetime support. As a reputable breeder for over 35 years, they are working with a select group of outside breeders to offer their customers an ever wider selection of animals to choose from. Be sure to put your name on a list, however, as they sell quickly.
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XX Amber Waves has sold to Hollywood celebrities (including Tori and Dean, left) and foreign dignitaries and has been featured on national television programs. Their marketing is beneficial to their customers as well since they share their expertise and provide sound advice. XX Amber Waves makes purchasing your first Pygmy goat easy. They can answer any of your questions and provide you with all the goat husbandry information you will need. In addition, they are experts at shipping if you do not live nearby. They ship nationally and internationally and accept cash, checks, Pay Pal, Master-card, Visa, American Express, and Discover. XX If you are looking for a show goat, Amber Waves has accumulated a rather impressive show record with 428 champions, 4 Premier Exhibitor awards, 7 Premier Breeder awards, 5 Herdsman awards and 1 National Champion Buck award. XX Amber Waves now provides military discounts so if you are a member of the armed forces, please let Jim and Debbie know!
Still not quite sure if a Pygmy goat is the right fit for you? Call Amber Waves to schedule a visit. Meet with Jim and Debbie and tour their facility. You will love seeing all the Pygmy goats but also some of the other critters they raise including Bearded Bantam Silkie chickens, Great Pyrenees dogs, Nigerian Dwarf goats, Miniature Nubian goats, and Alpacas. You can also meet their pot-bellied pig, Emus, and Tortoises. Please turn this flyer over to see what Amber Waves customers have to say.
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Our Testimonials We’ve been to Amber Waves twice and it has been such a great experience! Jim and Debbie are so kind and welcome you with open arms. We are new to having animals, Jim took us around the whole farm and educated us on the beautiful animals. Today we purchased our first batch of Silkies and soon will be purchasing a pair of cute little pygmy goats. It’s been a great experience! My three children leave Amber Waves with such amazement and respect for animals. Thanks Amber Waves! - Genevieve H.
“Great breeder. Wonderful support! Beautiful goats, this is my third little guy I have bought. I would never go anywhere else.” - The Genbook Team
Bottle feeding and bonding with our baby Pygmy Goats from Amber Waves is one of the best things that ever happened to our family!! Debbie and Jim, who are such sweethearts, continue to love our goats, and are always there to answer our questions. (Even after more than two years!) We are grateful for the day that our goats joined our family, and we became part of the Amber Waves family! “ - Carolyn F
This Is my son Brody and JJ (Blade Runner DOB 1/25/17) at our county fair. He was so well behaved in the ring. The other goats we penned with were not bottle fed and you can tell the difference. JJ comes right when you call him by name. We LOVE JJ so much. He is the sweetest goat who loves to cuddle and be petted, but also loves to run around with the boys and dance/prance on the dog house. The dogs love him too and the all sleep together. They were definitely depressed while JJ was gone at fair. Our younger son Logan who came with us when we picked JJ up can show next year so we will definitely be getting him a goat! Thank you for JJ, he makes us all so so happy! - Melissa Shaffer
We love our girls, they are the mascots of all the horse shows with fahs flocking to see you them! - Hillary Ridland
My beautiful goats from Amber Waves are literally “my kids” giving me joy each day. - Betty L McMicken, Ph.D
We just received our 2 Pygmy goats from Debbie at Amber Waves. These 2 does are so friendly and are transitioning well. Debbie was so helpful and always responded quickly to help us with this decision. She went out of her way to make sure we got what we were looking for. Amber Waves is by far the place to go for quality goats. On top of that we get lifetime support with any questions or needs. Truly happy and satisfied with the whole experience. Thank you Debbie! - Wayne Sammons Read More testimonials on our website: www.amberwaves.info
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