AUSTRALIAN MINIATURE
FAST FACTS
NATURE
Gentle, friendly, easy to handle, fun with a calm demeanour.
SIZE
Purebred does up to 57cm, bucks and wethers up to 60cm
LIFESPAN
10 to 15 years
BREEDING
First joining from 12 to 18 months
PRICE
Pet wethers $250-$400. Purebred breeding stock $600 plus
The Australian Miniature Goat Breed
ORIGIN
The Australian Miniature Goat is an Australian breed established in 2000. The breed was originally developed by pairing carefully selected smaller stature animals of excellent type from purebred and cross bred full sized goats and small Australian bush goats, cashmere and angora goats to ensure hardiness of animals and produce a “designer” animal perfect for the small land holder that met the individual owner’s needs – milk, fleece, hair, weed eater, companion and all round perfect pet.
TEMPERAMENT
Gentle and loveable, easily trainable. They are gregarious, friendly with a calm and playful nature.
USES
Predominately a pet breed. For families looking for backyard milking pets a well-bred miniature female can produce enough milk for the family each day some of which can be used to make cheese, yogurt and even soap. Miniature goats with Cashmere coats can be shaved and the fleece can be spun and used to make small garments or used in art and craft. Goat manure is very high in nitrogen, and is great for the garden. Miniature Goats make great companion animals and can be kept with horses, cattle, sheep, alpacas and many more species. Miniature Goats run on land that is often steep or not accessible to larger animals and they are often used to control weeds and over grown bush land.
SIZE
While the breed is still under development, with breeders continuing to work on both refinement of type and reduction of height an MGBA registered Australian Miniature Goat has a maximum height allowance of 63.5cm. Purebred adults 57cm for does and 60 cm for bucks. Animals are measured and classified for a Grade at 3 years. See the Australian Miniature Grading chart for a more detailed view of heights for grading purposes.
LIFESPAN
If well looked after an Australian Miniature goat can live between 10 to 15 years
BREEDING
Paired from 12 to 18 months of age. Gestation is 145 to 153 days. Miniature does generally have one kid or twins. Triplets are also common.
PRICE
Registered Australian Miniature Goats are individually priced on availability, age, height, grade, colour, show status and demand.
| AUSTRALIAN MINIATURE TYPE | PRICE |
|---|---|
| PETS - DESEXED MALES (WETHERS) | $250 TO $400 plus |
| BREEDING STOCK - FEMALES (DOES) | $450 TO $1,000 plus |
| BREEDING STOCK - INTACT MALES (BUCKS) | $450 T0 $2000 plus |
All prices quoted are an average only and vary dependent or quality and availability and a rough guide at June 2019.
SUITABILITY
The Australian Miniature Goat has an impeccable temperament making the breed suitable for pets for young and old alike.
REGISTRATIONS
The Australian Miniature bred animal does not become an “Australian Miniature Goat” and qualify for the breed until they are 3 years of age and have been height verified and proven to be under breed height and meet registrations requirements as an adult. Until this time these animals are registered as Miniature Bred. The MGBA uses a grading up process D, C, B, A, Purebred, Herdbook, and Herdbook Purebred.