Raising Dairy Goats For Beginners: Basic Goat Terminology You Need TO Know.

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If you’re new to raising dairy goats, one of the first things you’ll need to do is familiarize yourself with the basic goat terminology. I’ve compiled a list of goat terms you’ll encounter when raising goats, from breeding and milking terms to anatomy and vet terms.

By understanding these goat terms, you’ll be better equipped to communicate with other goat owners, your vet, and take care of your own animals. So grab a cup of coffee and let’s dive into the world of goat terminology!

Basic Goat Terminology

• Buck: A male goat that is typically used for breeding purposes.
• Doe: A female goat that is typically used for breeding purposes.
• Kid: A young goat that is typically under six months of age.
• Wether: A castrated male goat that is often raised for meat or as a companion animal.
• Caprine: Of or relating to goats.
• Bottle baby: A young goat that is raised by humans and fed with a bottle, often because it has been orphaned or rejected by its mother.
• Dam: A female goat that has given birth.
• Sire: A male goat that has fathered offspring.
• Chevon: The meat of a goat, typically from a young animal.
• Roughage: Coarse, fibrous feed, such as hay or grass, that is an important part of a goat’s diet.
• Ruminant: Refers to a type of mammal that has a specialized four-chambered stomach that allows it to digest tough plant material such as grasses and leaves.

Anatomy GOat Terms

• Scurs: Small, horn-like growths on the head of some goats that do not have a bony core like true horns. These often occur due to an improper disbudding job.
• Udder: The mammary gland of a female goat, where milk is produced and stored.
• Teats: Nipples on the udder through which milk is released during milking. Dairy goats should only have two teats. Any extra teats are considered to be not ideal.
• Beard: A tuft of hair located under the chin of some goat breeds, usually more prominent in males than females.
• Wattles: Fleshy, elongated appendages hanging from the throat of some goat breeds, which are thought to serve as a cooling mechanism and may also play a role in communication. If your goat has wattles, they will usually have two, one on each side of the neck, but some may only have one!
• Rumen: The largest compartment of a goat’s four-chambered stomach, where food is fermented and digested with the help of microorganisms.
• Polled: A goat that naturally does not have horns due to a genetic mutation.
• Jacobsen’s organ: An organ in the roof of a goat’s mouth, that is involved in detecting pheromones and other chemical signals.
• Flehmen Response: This is a behavior in which goats lift their head and curl back their upper lip to expose the vomeronasal (Jacobsen’s organ) organ located in the roof of their mouth to collect and analyze chemical signals. This is most commonly seen during breeding season when bucks are trying to assess if the does are in heat.

Breeding and Milking Goat Terminology

• Kidding: The act of giving birth to “kids” or baby goats.
• Lactation: The period of time during which a female goat is producing milk. It usually lasts for around 10 months but does can be dried off earlier or be milked through if you don’t want more baby goats.
• Milk Stand: A device used to restrain a goat during milking, which makes the process easier and safer for the goat and the milker. Also referred to as a “milk stanchion”.
• Progeny: This goat term refers to the offspring of a goat.
• Rut: The breeding season for goats, typically occurring in the fall when days get shorter and nights get longer.
• Seasonal Breeder: A goat that only breeds during a certain time of year or season. Most dairy goat breeds are seasonal breeders and only breed in the fall and early winter months after the weather turns cooler.
• Freshen: The process of a doe kidding and coming into milk.
• Weaned: The process of separating a young goat from its mother’s milk and transitioning to solid food, usually starting at around 3-4 months of age.
• Estrous/Heat: The period of time during which a doe is receptive to breeding, which lasts for around 24-48 hours and occurs every 18-21 days during the breeding season.
• Gestation: The period of time during which a doe is pregnant, which lasts for around 150 days or 5 months.
• Lochia: The discharge of blood, mucus, and uterine tissue following kidding, which can last for up to 2 weeks.
• Dry Doe: A dry doe is one who is currently not lactating or “in milk“.

Medical Goat Terms

• Disbud: The process of destroying the horn buds of a young goat before they grow into horns, usually done when the kid is less than a couple weeks old to prevent injuries and improve safety.
• Dehorn: The process of surgically removing the horns of an older kid or mature goat.
• CAE: Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis, a viral disease that affects goats and can cause arthritis, encephalitis, weight loss, mastitis, and pneumonia.
• CL: Caseous Lymphadenitis, a bacterial disease that affects goats and can cause abscesses in the lymph nodes and other organs.
• TB: Tuberculosis is a contagious chronic disease that can affect goats and cause chronic coughing, weight loss, and lethargy.
• Johnes: Johne’s disease is a non-curable bacterial gastrointestinal disease that affects goats and can cause weight loss, diarrhea, and chronic wasting.
• Cocci/coccidiosis: A parasitic disease that affects goats and other livestock, caused by protozoa that attack the intestinal lining and cause diarrhea, dehydration, and weight loss.
• Castration: The removal of the testicles in a male goat either surgically or by “banding”.
• Abscess: A localized collection of pus in the body of a goat, which can be caused by infections, injuries, or other factors.
• Brucellosis: A bacterial disease that can affect goats and cause reproductive issues. It can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected goats or their products.
• Drench: The process of administering oral medication or fluids to a goat. This is typically done using a syringe or drenching gun.
• Necropsy: An autopsy performed on a deceased goat. This can help determine the cause of death and identify any underlying health issues.
• Mastitis: Inflammation of the udder or mammary tissue in a goat, usually caused by a bacterial infection. Symptoms may include swelling, heat, pain, and changes in milk production.
• Pregnancy Toxemia: A metabolic disorder that can occur in pregnant goats, typically in the later stages of gestation. Symptoms may include lethargy, decreased appetite, and neurological issues.
• Urinary Calculi: The formation of mineral stones in the urinary tract of goats. This can lead to blockages and other health issues.
• Berries: In goat terminology, berries is a slang term used to describe goat droppings or feces. Goats are known for producing small, round droppings that resemble berries, hence the term.
• Cud: Regurgitated and partially digested food that a goat chews again to aid in digestion.
• Hermaphrodite: A goat with both male and female reproductive organs. This is a rare occurrence in goats and can cause reproductive issues.

Now for a Quiz…

Just kidding! No quizzes today, but understanding basic goat terminology is essential for anyone interested in raising dairy goats. From anatomy goat terms such as udder and rumen to vet-related goat terms such as brucellosis and necropsy, it is important to have a good grasp of these terms to properly care for your goats.

With this knowledge, you will be better equipped to communicate with other goat owners and vets and to provide the best care for your goats. By learning and using these terms, you’ll be well on your way to dairy goat success. So go ahead and embrace your inner goat farmer and keep learning and growing your knowledge about these amazing animals.