Pygmy Goats - The all purpose livestock?

Although we haven't started our herd yet, I've been doing a lot of research on pygmy goats and are thinking that compared to other animals they may just be the perfect livestock for small acreage and/or a crisis situation.

For meat purposes:

1. Most pygmies butcher out at 45-50% of live weight, which is similar to the Boer goat.
2. Goat meat has less calories than rabbit or chicken and is extremely lean.
3. Fat is not marbled and is easier to separate and discard (although in my thinking this could also make it tougher in some situations).

On the milk front:

1. In a study done at the University of Oregon Medical School involving cattle, sheep, dairy goats and Pygmy goats, it was found that Pygmies showed a positive preference for compounds tasting sweet, salty, sour and bitter, which may suggest they find a wider range of plants palatable.
2. Does willingly give up to 2/3 gallon per day at the peak of their lactation.
3. Pygmy milk is higher in calcium, phosphorus, potassium and iron than milk from dairy breeds, and is lower in sodium.
4. Poly estrous sexual behavior means they can cycle year-round as opposed to dairy breeds. If milking is a priority, a continuous supply of milk can be obtained by breeding two does alternately.
5. Natural teat conformation helps Pygmy does resist mastitis, a bacterial infection of the mammary system, usually gaining entrance through the teat orifice. Pygmies usually have small orifices in addition to well-attached udders that are held close to the body, out of harm’s way.

Other keeping considerations:

1. Pygmies and other goats can be kept in brushy areas not good for cattle.
2. On acreages with poor vegetation, stocking densities range from 2-4 goats per acre. Areas with good vegetation can have stocking densities as high as 8 goats per acre.
3. Compared to other goat breeds, the much small pygmy can be more easily contained in a standard 48" tall fence.