Pygmy Goats for Sale UK: Where to Buy, Costs & What to Know

Pygmy goats have become increasingly popular in the UK among smallholders, hobby farmers, and families looking for friendly, easy-to-handle livestock. These compact goats are known for their playful personalities, gentle nature, and manageability, making them ideal for small farms and even larger gardens if local rules allow it. Whether you’re seeking a few goats as pets, a breeding pair, or a small herd to help with brush control, this guide will help you find where to buy pygmy goats for sale in UK, understand typical costs, and what to keep in mind before you bring them home.

Why Choose Pygmy Goats in the UK?

Pygmy goats are a small and hardy breed that adapt well to a range of environments and do not require extensive space compared to larger livestock. They’re especially popular for:

• Friendly temperament and social behaviour
• Easier handling for beginners
• Relatively low maintenance compared to larger goats
• Great companions for other livestock or homestead settings

They are herd animals by nature, so it’s strongly recommended to keep them in pairs or small groups for their welfare and mental well-being.

Where to Find Pygmy Goats for Sale in the UK

Here are some of the most reliable ways to source pygmy goats across the UK, including specific locations and breeders who regularly have goats available:

1. Local Marketplaces & Classified Sites

If you’re searching broadly for pygmy goats for sale in UK, online classified ads are a common starting point:

• Freeads UK — Listings across the country, from such places as Shrewsbury, Shropshire and Exeter, Devon with prices like £150–£350 depending on age and type.
• FarmAds — Another UK livestock marketplace where individual sellers list pygmy goats, often with mixed herds and varying locations.

These platforms often have listings updated frequently, but they also require careful vetting and in-person visits before purchase due to the variety of sellers.

Trusted Breeders & Farms in the UK

Some farms breed pygmy goats specifically and can offer more consistent quality, better health histories, and breeder support:

West Barn Pygmy Goats (England)

West Barn specialises in well-handled pygmy goats, selling kids and adults in pairs to ensure animal welfare. Kids at some times of the year have been offered with prices such as ~£275 for wether (castrated male) and ~£400 for a nanny (female), with pedigree registration available on request.

They also emphasise selling goats in pairs unless you already have suitable companions, reducing the stress on the animals and helping them settle in easier.

Wynnes of Dinmore (Herefordshire)

This breeder occasionally has nannies looking for new homes, with examples of older breeding goats priced around £230. They also provide new owners with an information pack and health guidance, which can be especially helpful for first-time buyers.

Typical Costs of Pygmy Goats in the UK

Understanding how much pygmy goats cost in the UK is helpful for budgeting. Prices vary depending on age, sex, registration, and whether the goats are from established breeding stock:

Goat Type	Typical Price (GBP)
Young Kids (unregistered)	£150–£250+
Adult Pygmy Goats	£230–£400+
Registered / Pedigree Nannies	£300–£400+

These ranges are based on recent UK listings and vary by region and breeder.

Keep in mind that prices may be higher for registered animals or those with strong breeding lines, and selling in pairs is common because goats are social creatures.

Important Things to Consider Before Buying

Before bringing pygmy goats home, it is essential to plan carefully to ensure both animal welfare and legal compliance. Goats are hardy, but they do have specific needs that must be met from day one.

1. Social Needs & Herding Behaviour

Pygmy goats are highly social animals and do not cope well when kept alone. Isolation can lead to stress, excessive noise, poor appetite, and behavioural issues. For this reason, most responsible breeders sell goats in pairs or small groups, or will ask for proof that you already keep goats. Ideally, you should plan to keep at least two pygmy goats together so they can graze, rest, and play as a herd, which is essential for their mental well-being.

2. Legal Requirements & CPH Numbers

In the UK, all livestock owners must register for a CPH (County Parish Holding) number, even if the goats are kept as pets. This registration allows animal movements to be tracked for disease control purposes. You will also need to record goat movements when buying or selling and comply with DEFRA regulations. Applying for a CPH number is free and should be done before purchasing your goats to avoid delays or compliance issues.

For detailed information on livestock registration and how to obtain a CPH number, check out the official UK government guidance on livestock movements and registration and Livestock Information Service Website.

3. Vet Checks & Health History

Always ask breeders for clear health information before buying. This should include worming schedules, vaccination status, and any history of illness or injury. It is also helpful to know whether the goats were handled regularly from birth, as well-handled kids are easier to manage and less fearful of people. Visiting in person or requesting recent photos and videos allows you to check body condition, coat quality, mobility, and overall alertness, all of which are indicators of good health.

4. Transport & Handling

Although pygmy goats are small, they still require safe and appropriate transport. A well-ventilated vehicle with secure crates or penned space is essential to prevent injury or escape. Bedding such as straw or wood shavings helps keep them comfortable during the journey. Whenever possible, collect goats in person rather than using couriers, as this allows you to inspect them at pickup and reduces the risk of online scams or misrepresentation.

5. Housing, Fencing & Shelter

Before purchase, ensure your setup is fully prepared. Pygmy goats need dry, draft-free shelter with good ventilation, especially during wet and cold UK weather. Fencing should be strong and secure, as goats are excellent climbers and escape artists. Stock fencing reinforced with electric lines or goat-specific fencing works best. Providing shelter, clean water, and a safe grazing area before your goats arrive will make the transition far less stressful for both you and the animals.

Pre-Purchase Checklist for UK Pygmy Goat Buyers

Before committing to buy pygmy goats, take time to work through this checklist. Completing these steps in advance will help you avoid common mistakes and ensure your goats settle in safely and legally.

Legal & Paperwork Essentials

• ✅ CPH Number obtained – Apply through the Rural Payments Agency before purchase
• ✅ Movement recording ready – Familiarise yourself with ARAMS or paper movement records
• ✅ Local council rules checked – Confirm livestock is permitted on your property
• ✅ Breeder provides movement documentation – Required when goats change holdings

Housing & Land Preparation

• ✅ Secure fencing installed – Goat-proof fencing with no gaps or weak points
• ✅ Dry, weatherproof shelter – Well-ventilated, draft-free, and raised off wet ground
• ✅ Sufficient grazing space – Avoid overstocking; rotate grazing if possible
• ✅ Separate pen for quarantine – Useful for new arrivals or sick animals

Feeding & Daily Care

• ✅ Hay supply sourced – Clean, mould-free hay available year-round
• ✅ Mineral supplementation planned – Goat-specific minerals (not sheep minerals)
• ✅ Fresh water access – Clean water available at all times
• ✅ Safe browse available – Shrubs, hedges, or controlled browsing areas

Health & Veterinary Planning

• ✅ Local farm vet identified – Preferably with goat or small ruminant experience
• ✅ Health records reviewed – Worming, vaccinations, and parasite control history
• ✅ Basic health supplies ready – Thermometer, hoof trimmers, disinfectant
• ✅ Quarantine plan in place – Isolate new goats for 2–4 weeks if needed

Breeder & Goat Evaluation

• ✅ Buy at least two goats – Never keep a single pygmy goat
• ✅ Breeder is knowledgeable and transparent – Willing to answer questions
• ✅ Goats appear alert and healthy – Bright eyes, clean coats, good body condition
• ✅ Parents can be viewed if possible – Especially important for breeding stock

Transport & Collection

• ✅ Safe transport arranged – Secure crates or penned vehicle space
• ✅ Bedding prepared – Straw or shavings for comfort during travel
• ✅ Pickup planned during daylight hours – Easier health and condition checks
• ✅ Avoid courier-only sales – In-person collection is safest

Long-Term Commitment Check

• ✅ Time for daily care – Feeding, checking water, fencing, and health
• ✅ Budget planned – Feed, vet care, fencing maintenance, and bedding
• ✅ Backup care arranged – Someone knowledgeable to help when you are away
• ✅ Long-term plan in place – Goats can live 10–15 years

Below we have provided the Pre-Purchase Checklist(both in word and pdf) for you to print out or keep it with you in soft form so you can check your boxes through your pygmy goat buying journey.

Beginner Fencing and Housing Essentials for Pygmy Goats

Secure fencing and proper housing are critical when keeping pygmy goats. Despite their small size, pygmy goats are intelligent, curious, and excellent escape artists. Therefore, fencing should be treated as a priority rather than an afterthought.

For fencing, use stock (woven wire) fencing or post-and-rail backed with mesh, standing at least 4 feet high, though taller is preferable on uneven ground. Avoid wide mesh that kids can squeeze through or get stuck in. Reinforcing the inside of the fence with a single electric strand helps prevent leaning, rubbing, and fence damage. Gates must be sturdy, tightly latched, and free from gaps, as goats quickly identify weak points.

Housing should provide dry, draught-free shelter with good ventilation. Pygmy goats cope well with cold but struggle in damp conditions. Each adult goat should have 1.5–2 square metres of indoor space, with clean, absorbent bedding such as straw or hemp. Shelters should be placed on well-drained ground and positioned to block prevailing winds.

Good fencing and shelter not only keep goats safe but also reduce stress, illness, and costly repairs. Starting with solid infrastructure makes goat keeping far more enjoyable and manageable for beginners. If you have got any other goats don’t worry, this blog can will help you out.

Making the Right Choice

Finding pygmy goats for sale in the UK can be a rewarding experience when approached with the right preparation and knowledge. By choosing reputable breeders or trusted farms, visiting animals in person, and confirming health records, you greatly reduce the risk of problems later on. It is equally important to plan ahead for their social needs, housing, fencing, and legal requirements, as pygmy goats thrive best in pairs or small groups and require proper care from day one. When sourced responsibly and managed well, pygmy goats can be friendly, hardy, and highly enjoyable additions to a smallholding or hobby farm, offering companionship and long-term satisfaction to UK keepers.