ORIGINS OF THE GOAT:Goats were one of the first animals to be tamed by humans and were being herded 9,000 years ago. The goat is a member of the family Bovidae and is closely related to the sheep as both are in the goat-antelope subfamily Caprinae.They are believed to be descended from the wild goat, bezoar.
BREEDS OF GOATS:
There are over 210 breeds of goats with an estimated 450 million goats in the world (2001). Of the 450 million goats in the world, it is estimated that approximately 6 to 8 % of them are in North America (2001). The majority of the
world goat population can be found in the Mideast and Asia.There are over 210 breeds of goats with an estimated 450 million goats in the world (2001). Of the 450 million goats in the world, it is estimated that approximately 6 to 8 % of them are in North America (2001). The majority of the
EATING HABITS:
Goats are ruminants or cud chewing animals that eat cracked or ground corn mixed with oats, hay, grass and others leaves.
Goats are ruminants or cud chewing animals that eat cracked or ground corn mixed with oats, hay, grass and others leaves.
Goats also have specific mineral and vitamin requirements that determine
their overall health and production. These requirements often vary between
breeds of goats and coloration of the goat.
The goat has very sensitive lips and their natural curiosity gives them
a habit of "mouthing" and "smelling" for food that is clean
and tasty. Goats will not eat soiled food (unless they are pushed to the point
of starvation - often preferring to starve).
TEETH:
Goats have a lower set of teeth which meet a hard pad in the upper jaw, and 24 molars on the top and bottom in the back of their mouths. Kids have 8 small, sharp teeth in their lower front jaw, and like children, when their baby teeth fall out they are replaced by permanent teeth. The age of a goat can often be closely determined by their teeth.
Goats have a lower set of teeth which meet a hard pad in the upper jaw, and 24 molars on the top and bottom in the back of their mouths. Kids have 8 small, sharp teeth in their lower front jaw, and like children, when their baby teeth fall out they are replaced by permanent teeth. The age of a goat can often be closely determined by their teeth.
HEALTH:
The overall health of a goat is largely determined by their environment, genetics and nutrition. There are a number of illnesses that can affect a goat both in chronic and curable form. Some of these illnesses can be passed to humans and other animals while some illnesses are specific to goats. Much research is being done to provide more drugs that are approved for use in goats.
The overall health of a goat is largely determined by their environment, genetics and nutrition. There are a number of illnesses that can affect a goat both in chronic and curable form. Some of these illnesses can be passed to humans and other animals while some illnesses are specific to goats. Much research is being done to provide more drugs that are approved for use in goats.
Two illnesses that can bring sudden death to a goat are coccidiosis and
pneumonia. Of most concern to breeders and producers are worms and parasites. A
goat that is ridden with parasites and worms and left untreated will most
likely suffer a rapid decline in health, production and often result in death.
WEIGHT AND PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Depending on their breed, female goats weigh between 22 to 220 pounds, whereas male goats weigh between 27 to 275 pounds and are bigger and shaggier in appearance than females. Male goats are also endowed with beards that grow longer as they get older. Female goats are also capable of growing a beard. With the advent of the Boer or "meat goat" in the United States, these standards are becoming somewhat variable.
Depending on their breed, female goats weigh between 22 to 220 pounds, whereas male goats weigh between 27 to 275 pounds and are bigger and shaggier in appearance than females. Male goats are also endowed with beards that grow longer as they get older. Female goats are also capable of growing a beard. With the advent of the Boer or "meat goat" in the United States, these standards are becoming somewhat variable.
Cross-breeding and genetics have begun paving the future for new breeds
of goats which will undoubtedly exceed current standards. Many a breeder and
producer will share that their particular line of goats will often be bred for
a specific characteristic or feature. It is important to understand that a
"desirable" characteristic to one producer may be
"undesirable" to another.
COLOURATION:
Widely accepted as a "standard", depending upon the breed, goats may be cream, white, black or brown in colouring. However, as more cross-breeding and genetic enhancement is achieved, the results are often dazzling sets of colours not previously seen. Cross-breeding can often result in the offspring displaying both sets of colours from the original breeds. These cross-bred goats are often referred to as "Brush Goats".
Widely accepted as a "standard", depending upon the breed, goats may be cream, white, black or brown in colouring. However, as more cross-breeding and genetic enhancement is achieved, the results are often dazzling sets of colours not previously seen. Cross-breeding can often result in the offspring displaying both sets of colours from the original breeds. These cross-bred goats are often referred to as "Brush Goats".
EYES:
The pupil in a goat's eye is rectangular in shape instead of being round like those of other animals. It is believed that goats have excellent night vision and will often browse at night. The actual color of the goat's eyes is varied with the most common colour being yellow or brown. Blue coloration is a bit rarer and often a characteristic many breeders will try to achieve.
The pupil in a goat's eye is rectangular in shape instead of being round like those of other animals. It is believed that goats have excellent night vision and will often browse at night. The actual color of the goat's eyes is varied with the most common colour being yellow or brown. Blue coloration is a bit rarer and often a characteristic many breeders will try to achieve.
LIFESPAN:
Goats generally live 10 to 12 years. There have been cases of goats living up to 15 years.
Goats generally live 10 to 12 years. There have been cases of goats living up to 15 years.
BEHAVIOUR:
The behaviour of a goat can vary widely based upon a number of factors such as breed, surroundings, and size of the herd. For the most part, goat behaviour is often summed up as: goats are very sociable, lively, inquisitive and independent animals. They are also quite intelligent and can learn how to open latches on farm gates. Goats are also herd animals.
The behaviour of a goat can vary widely based upon a number of factors such as breed, surroundings, and size of the herd. For the most part, goat behaviour is often summed up as: goats are very sociable, lively, inquisitive and independent animals. They are also quite intelligent and can learn how to open latches on farm gates. Goats are also herd animals.
One particular behaviour of goats that is intriguing is that while they
are independent, they often prefer to surround themselves with goats of their
same breed in a mixed herd. Another example of goat behaviour is that the kids
will prefer to remain nearby their mother, even if separated for years and
reintroduced.
PHYSICAL CAPABILITIES:
Goats can climb, run, crawl under fences and some breeds of goats are able to jump heights of over 5 feet. It should be noted as well that most goats will also stand on their back legs to reach tree branches and shrubs.
Goats can climb, run, crawl under fences and some breeds of goats are able to jump heights of over 5 feet. It should be noted as well that most goats will also stand on their back legs to reach tree branches and shrubs.
PRODUCE:
The main products associated with goats are milk, cheese, meat, mohair, and cashmere. Large dairy does produce 3,000 to 5,000 pounds of milk each year. (On a daily basis they produce 2 or 3 quarts of milk). With the emphasis on genetics, it should be noted that breeders and producers are beginning to surpass previous levels of milk and meat production with daily yields often exceeding one gallon of milk per day.
The main products associated with goats are milk, cheese, meat, mohair, and cashmere. Large dairy does produce 3,000 to 5,000 pounds of milk each year. (On a daily basis they produce 2 or 3 quarts of milk). With the emphasis on genetics, it should be noted that breeders and producers are beginning to surpass previous levels of milk and meat production with daily yields often exceeding one gallon of milk per day.
GOAT NAMES AND TERMINOLOGY:
You will often hear goats referred to by the following: "Buck or Billy" - a male goat. "Doe or Nanny" - a female goat. "Kid" - a young goat. Male goats under one year of age are called bucklings, while female goats under one year of age are called doelings. "Wether" - a castrated male goat. "Hermaphrodite" - a goat showing both female and male characteristics, most likely unable to reproduce. "Herd" - a group of goats. "Wattles" - little round balls of fur on a goats' neck close to its chin. Not all goats have wattles.
You will often hear goats referred to by the following: "Buck or Billy" - a male goat. "Doe or Nanny" - a female goat. "Kid" - a young goat. Male goats under one year of age are called bucklings, while female goats under one year of age are called doelings. "Wether" - a castrated male goat. "Hermaphrodite" - a goat showing both female and male characteristics, most likely unable to reproduce. "Herd" - a group of goats. "Wattles" - little round balls of fur on a goats' neck close to its chin. Not all goats have wattles.
Both male and female goats can have horns and
beards. Male goats can breed as early as 4 months old, and females at 7 months
old. It is advisable to wait until goats reach 60%-75% of their adult weight
before breeding (approximately one year old).
USE FOR MEDICAL TRAINING:
As a goat's
anatomy and physiology is not too dissimilar from that of human, some countries'
militaries use goats to train combat medics. In the
United States, goats have become the main animal species used for this purpose
after Pentagon phased out using dogs for medical training in the 1980s. While
modern mannequins used in
medical training are quite efficient in simulating the behaviour of a human
body, trainees feel that "the goat exercise provide[s] a sense of urgency
that only real life trauma can provide".
WHY DOES BILLY GOAT SMELL?
Billy goats
or bucks are intact (uncastrated) male goats. In Ghana, the Fante people have nicknamed
the billy goat ‘APONKYE KWESI ATTA’. Bucks stink with a peculiar odour that can
be quite offensive to people who haven't been around goats. Neither does
(female goats) nor wethers (castrated males)
exhibit such odours.
‘KWESI ATTA’S SMELL:
Bucks stink
with a strong musky odour, which comes from both their scent glands, located
near their horns, and their urine, which they spray on their face, beards,
front legs and chest. They usually spray themselves during rut (sexual
excitement period). This is the time when the buck is most smelly. While you
may not find the odour pleasing, does find it irresistible.
WHEN DOES ‘KWESI ATTA’ STINK?
Bucks smell
pretty much all the time, but the rut causes them to smell worse. They will
urinate on themselves then more than any other time of the year.
Bucklings, or young male goats, usually start smelling like bucks when they become sexually mature. Since bucklings can become sexually mature as young as 2 months, you may have a stinky youngster at that age.
Bucklings, or young male goats, usually start smelling like bucks when they become sexually mature. Since bucklings can become sexually mature as young as 2 months, you may have a stinky youngster at that age.
PREVENTING THE STENCH:
Most goat
owners separate their bucks from other herd members to avoid tainting the milk
with the smell and to avoid unplanned breedings. This provides the additional
benefit of keeping the buck smell away from all the other animals. Some goat
owners trim their buck's beards and wash their bellies, legs and heads to
reduce the strong urine scent.
WETHERING:
The best way
to avoid the buck scent and behavior is to wether (castrate) your buck. You can
wether a buck using either a burdizzo or an elastrator. The burdizzo will crush
the spermatic cord when used properly. The elastrator puts a strong rubber band
around the top of the scrotum, which cuts off the blood flow to the scrotum and
testes, causing them to fall off in a few weeks.
SYMBOLIC GOAT MEANINGS:
The goat is
a powerful animal totem and closely related to the sheep, in particular the ram, but his
symbolism is different. Unlike their sheep and ram siblings, goats aren't
particularly communal, often grazing alone and spreading themselves far apart.
This is not to say goats are anti-social, symbolically speaking - but it does
evoke a sense of independence.
Goats love
great heights and this symbolizes spiritual ambition. Goats also love to
climb and climbing speaks to us of progress and achievement. The goat will
travel and live up in cliffs and mountains at impossible angles and elevations.
Goats approach a precipice with ease and enthusiasm. This is encouragement to
search your soul in places high and inaccessible for your sustenance. You can
get there!
Symbolic
goat meaning also deals with curiosity and inquiry. Goats are insatiably
curious. They will poke and prod at everything within their environment. Often
this prodding comes in the form of looking for weak links in their enclosures
(if domesticated). Goats encourage us to engage and entertain our own sense
of curiosity. These creatures are also amazingly intelligent. In the words
of Alistair Cooke, "Curiosity is free-wheeling intelligence." So
often curiosity and intelligence go hand-in-hand (or, hoof-to-hoof in this
case, lol). The goat is a grand reminder of this, and urges us to be
inquisitive.
IMPORTANCE:
You get a
lot from keeping goats. Raising goats can help you achieve a sustainable
lifestyle. You can milk them or eat their meat, use their fiber and their skin
for making clothing, and even use their dung for fuel.
CONCLUSION:
Goats much prefer "browse" (leaves
of woody plants) to grass. If you are buying a goat to eat grass, you will
probably be disappointed as they will only eat this in large quantities if
there is no other food available. Goats will eat all your shrubs before they
touch your lawn.
Goat meat is called Chevon or Cabrito. It is
lower in fat and cholesterol than beef, pork and even chicken.
Goats have no
upper front teeth. Instead they have a hard "gum pad" in the place of
upper front teeth.
Goats DO NOT
eat tin cans or garbage. It is thought this rumor came about as goats may have
been frequently seen eating labels off of cans to get at the tasty glue. They
are actually very picky eaters. Goats can survive on land that would starve
cattle and sheep, due to their selective browsing habits and the wide range of
plants they will eat.
Goats are good swimmers.
Goats are good swimmers.
Reference List:
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/the-benefits-of-raising-goats.html
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