GOAT TERMINOLOGY
So what is the difference in names? Like all species, there are specific names for specific points in an animal’s life. But, because many do not know the specific difference, we tend to use names interchangeably. For example, the basic difference between a pig and a hog is age and size. Personally, I tend to call my goats…goats, but that is not accurate for every stage of their life. The scientific family for goats is “Caprine”. You will see this term on medications intended for goats.
Terminology in the Market Barn
Goats – A generic term for all goats of any age, breed or type.
Wether is a castrated male goat of any age.
Doeling is a young female goat less than a year old.
Disbudded – a goat with horns removed (removed at a very young age).
Horned – a goat born with horns. Most breeding stock will have their horns.
Polled – a goat born without horns.
Scurs – Small horn growth that returns after the disbudding process. Sometimes the remaining minor roots will grow back.
Terminology in the Breeding Barn
Buckling is a young male goat less than a year old that has not been castrated.
Buck/Billy is a male goat over 1 year of age who is sexually mature to breed. The term Billy is used in some regions but not in others.
Doe/Nanny – is a female goat over 1 year of age who is sexually mature to breed. The term Nanny is used in some regions but not in others.
Kid is a baby goat of either sex.
Open – this is a term describes female goats that are not pregnant.
Weaned – When a baby goat is no longer nursing.
