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Wethers as Pets

Wonderful Wethers
An Essay by Caroline Whitney, age 11

Whitbred Farm

Photo by Caroline Whitney

When we got goats I discovered that pet wethers offer many rewards. Those who don't know this breed shun them at times, but I prefer the Nigerian Dwarf to any other breed because of their temperament and manageable size. I love Nigerian Dwarf wethers because they make me feel good, are loyal pets, and they can be trained.

One reason wethers make good pets is because they make me feel good. With their big wondering eyes and loving personalities, these little guys make you feel great! Another reason I love these creatures is because they are very loyal pets. They love to have attention and know if you have a treat in your pocket. In hard times they will stick with you as your only friend and never forget who you are. A third reason I like these pets is that they can be trained. Wethers can be trained to pull carts, jump, and walk. Some goats are even trained on an obstacle course.

To be sure, Nigerian Dwarf wethers offer many rewards. Spending time working and playing with these goats is a wonderful experience.

Another batch of five - oh my! Who could resist these cuties?

More information:
Our wethers receive a lot of attention, especially from children. By the time they are ready to move, they are well socialized with people and other pets. It is important to teach a goat to behave, and we discourage our wethers from jumping and rubbing by moving away. They would rather have our attention and so the behavior does not become a habit.

Our wethers are usually disbudded between three and five days of age so that horns do not have a chance to grow. When the goat has reached 8 to 10 weeks of age he is fixed with an elastrator. This gives his urinary system time to grow in order to prevent problems with urinary calculi in the future. After the age of six months, avoid feeding grain as this can contribute to a potential problem as well. Up until six months it is advisable to offer a small amount of grain with coccidiastat twice daily. Just in case of urinary problems, it is a good idea to keep some ammonium chloride powder on hand, but proper feeding can avoid this problem. Browsing (feeding on brush and greens) is a wonderful pastime for any goat.

Dwarf wethers reach about 90 pounds when full grown. They retain more of the appearance of a female goat and do not grow the shaggy coat, nor manifest the smell bucks are known for. These animals can be serviceable in addition to being pets; they can be used as pack animals or to pull carts.

Essay by Caroline Whitney, used with permission by Karin Whitney of Whitbred Farm.

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