Learn Goat Lingo

Whether you're new to goats or you've been a goat owner for several years, it seems like many people misunderstand the terms associated with this common homestead ruminate. Here's a list of the most used words associated with goats.

Doe – Female Goat

Doeling – A baby female goat

Yearling – A one year old goat

Buck – Male goat

Buckling – A baby male goat

Wether – Castrated male goat

Kid – Baby goat, either male or female

Kidding – Giving birth

Polled – When a goat is naturally born without horns

Debudded/Disbudded – Removing the horns of a goat

Drenching – Oral administration of medication

Banding/Banded – The use of castration rings to remove the testacles

Browsing – Natural movement of goats from one place to another to forage on various foliage

Coccidiosis/Cocci – Oxycyt that destroys the lining of the small intestine resulting in diarrhea or even death.

CDT - An annual vaccine for Enterotoxemia and Tetanus. Enterotoxemia is caused by two strains of bacteria called Clostridium perfringens (type C + D).

Scours – Diarrhea that is usually caused from incorrect milk feeding

Sire – Father

Dam – Mother

This list isn't all-inclusive, but it'll make you sound a little more educated when talking to others in your goat circle. Happy goating!