At Farmer Parrs we have a large number of African Pygmy Goats.

These are well known as the NAUGHTIEST ANIMALS ON THE FARM!!

They are very loyal to each other and at night will always sleep with their original family members, despite mixing with many other goats throughout the day. They are mischievous, cheeky and due to their love of climbing they can escape from time to time. They are also greedy and a firm favourite with visitors.

Well known favourites include Will'I'Am, Raisin and Amy. Will'I'Am has become popular with all the staff. Born of a difficult birth due to his very large size he has matured into a very large and characterful billy goat - you will probably meet him during the hands-on shows. We used to let the goats roam free on the  but they became serial picnic thieves and became known as the 'sandwich snatchers'! They were regularly found up to no good in the rural life museum too!

We have many baby goats (kids) born every summer - a real joy - No Kidding!!

The domestic goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) is a subspecies of goat domesticated from the wild goat of southwest Asia and Eastern Europe. The goat is a member of the Bovidae family and is closely related to the sheep: both are in the goat-antelope  subfamily Caprinae. There are over three hundred distinct breeds of goat.

Goats are one of the oldest domesticated species. Goats have been used for their milk, meat, hair, and skins over much of the world. In the twentieth century they also gained in popularity as pets.

Female goats are referred to as does or nannies, intact males as bucks or billies; their offspring are kids. Note that many goat breeders prefer the terms "buck" and "doe" to "billy" and "nanny". Castrated males are wethers. Goat meat from younger animals is called kid or cabrito, and from older animals is sometimes called chevon, or in some areas “mutton”.

Goats are reputed to be willing to eat almost anything, except tin cans and cardboard boxes. While goats will not actually eat inedible material, they are browsing animals, not grazers like cattle and sheep, and (coupled with their natural curiosity) will chew on and taste just about anything resembling plant matter in order to decide whether it is good to eat, including cardboard and paper labels from tin cans.  Another possibility is that the goats are curious about the unusual smells of leftover food in discarded cans or boxes.

Goats are extremely curious and intelligent. They are easily trained to pull carts and walk on leads. Ches McCartney, nicknamed "the goat man", toured the United States for over three decades in a wagon pulled by a herd of pet goats. They are also known for escaping their pens. Goats will test fences, either intentionally or simply because they are handy to climb on. If any of the fencing can be spread, pushed over or down, or otherwise be overcome, the goats will escape. Being very intelligent, once a weakness in the fence has been discovered, it will be exploited repeatedly. Goats are very coordinated and can climb and hold their balance in the most precarious places. Goats are also widely known for their ability to climb trees, although the tree generally has to be on somewhat of an angle. The vocalization goats make is called bleating.

Goats have an intensely inquisitive and intelligent nature: they will explore anything new or unfamiliar in their surroundings. They do so primarily with their prehensile upper lip and tongue. This is why they investigate items such as buttons, camera cases or clothing (and many other things besides) by nibbling at them, occasionally even eating them.