Barnyard Speak - Getting to know the goat lingo!

So when my family first got into the goat business, I didn't have any background in goats. While I grew up on a farm, many of labels/terms used are "goat" specific. Here is a list of basic terms I will be using frequently in my blog. 

Check it out after the jump! Tyson says it's really interesting!

Key Goat Terms:

• Castration: male goats that have had their testicles banded at a young age. The testicles lose their circulation due to a rubber band and fall off. This is required for meat goats at most fairs and shows. 

Ace is our 2012 Fair wether. He is still with us because he got sick at fair, and couldn't be sold.

•  Wether: a castrated male goat. These are the goats used for meat class at most fairs and shows. They are more docile then goats left ‘intact’ (with their testicles). Typically, they have their horns removed as well, especially for fairs. 

MegaMind is our buck. Notice that he still has his horns as opposed to Ace (above). (c) Morgan Northcutt

• Buck: a male goat. Bucks are different from a wether because bucks are left ‘intact’ for breeding purposes. 

 

Three of our does: Lizzie, Charlotte and Penelope.          These girls were born May/June of 2012

• Doe: a female goat. Does can be used in show and breeding class. However most importantly, they are the key to building a herd. 

 

MegaMind as a kid.

• Kid: young goat of either sex. 

Delilah's boy at 12 days old.

• Kidding (no seriously!): the birth of a goat. Goats can have anywhere from 1-4 kids per pregnancy, but much like with people, more kids equals a higher risk pregnancy.

• Boer: a breed of goat known for their meat production.(All of the goats pictured in this post are boer goats

Hopefully this stops any future confusion! Any words you need more clarification on? Leave me a note in the comments, on Facebook or Twitter.