Goats

Our Goats

All About Goats

General:

• Goats typically live between 15 and 18 years.

• Goats are considered small livestock animals, with breeds varying significantly in size.

• African Pygmy does weigh about 40 pounds, while a Boer buck can reach up to 300 pounds.

• Most goats have two horns, but some breeds may have up to eight horns.

• Goat horns are made of living bone.

• Goats' eyes possess horizontal slit-shaped pupils, aiding in dim light vision and enhancing focus.

• Goats lack upper front teeth and utilize their lower teeth and tongue for biting.

• Goats are ruminants, with four stomach chambers for digestion.

• Goats have versatile uses, including milk, manure, fiber, meat, and hides.

• Goats contribute 2% of the world's annual milk supply.

• Dairy goat breeds include Alpine, Toggenburg, Nigerian Dwarf, Lamancha, and Anglo-Nubian.

• Dairy goats in their prime yield an average of 6 to 8 lbs of milk per day.

• Goat milk is processed into various products such as cheese, butter, ice cream, and yogurt.

• The United States is home to approximately 300,000 dairy goats, with Wisconsin and California leading in population.

• The Boer goat is the premier meat-producing breed, alongside other notable breeds like Kiko, Nubian, Pygmy, and Spanish.

• Goat meat, known as Cabrito or Chevron, is leaner and healthier compared to other red meats, boasting comparable protein content, lower fat and calorie content, and higher iron content.

• An estimated 75% of the world's population includes goat meat in their diet, highlighting its global consumption and cultural significance.

Female and Male Terminology:

• Female goats are called does or nannies, while intact males are referred to as bucks or billies. 

• Castrated male goats are known as wethers, and baby goats are called kids.

• Both male and female goats can grow a beard.

Reproduction:

• The gestation length for goats is approximately 150 days, equating to a little less than 5 months.

• Birthing in goats is commonly known as kidding.

• Twin births are the most common, followed by single births and triplets.

• Freshening denotes the period when a female goat begins producing milk.