INTRODUCTION TO GOATSAdapted and Edited by:Mrs. Sheffield

Parts of a Goat

1.Poll 9. Knee 17. Barrel2. Forehead 10. Hoof 18. Pin Bone3. Muzzle 11. Dewclaw 19. Tail4. Ear 12. Sheath 20. Hip5. Dewlap 13. Flank 21. Withers6. Point of Shoulder

14. Pastern 22. Loin

7. Brisket 15. Hock 23. Back8. Point of Elbow

16. Stifle

Goat terminology

Billy: uncastrated male goat Wether: castrated male goat Nanny: female goat Kid: a young goat Kidding: the act of parturition (giving

birth) in goats

Alpine (French Alps)

Medium to large sized only breed with

upright ears all colors and

combinations of colors.

Hair is medium to short

Straight face with roman nose

Dairy Breed

6th per. 10/27

Angora (Asia Minor)

Both sexes are horned

Pronounced spiral to the horn

Used in Mohair production

White in color

Mohair Production

Boer (South Africa)

Also known as the Africander

Early maturing Predominantly white

with red head but some solid red exist

Meat Breed

Golden Guernsey (Great Britain)

Color varies from cream to brown

Usually polled Lower in milk

production than most Swiss breeds

Higher in butter fat and protein %

Dairy Breed

La Mancha (Oregon)

Face is straight Gopher ear: max. one inch

in length preferably non-existent

Elf ear: max. length of two inches with tip being turned up or down

Any color or combination is acceptable.

Hair is short, fine and glossy High butterfat

Dairy Breed

Nigerian Dwarf (West Africa)

Main colors are black, chocolate and gold with random white markings.

Breed year round They give 3-4# of

milk per day at 6 to 10% butterfat

They make great pets

Miscellaneous Breed

Nubian (the Orient)

Large framed face being convex

between the eyes and muzzle

ears are long, wide and pendulous. They flare out in a bell shape.

Any color or colors, solid or patterned

Dairy Breed

Pygmy Goat (Africa)

Small in size Full coat of straight,

medium-long hair All colors are

acceptable Muzzle, forehead,

eyes and ears are accented in tones lighter than the dark portion of the body.

Make good pets

Miscellaneous Breed

Saanen (Switzerland)

Usually yields 3-4% milkfat

Medium to large in size

White or light cream in color

Ears are erect and carried forward

Face straight or dished

Dairy Breed

1st per. 10/27

Spanish (Spain)

Feral goat or brush goat native to U.S.

Descended from the goats that were released or escaped from the early Spanish explorers

Utilized for meat Fat content is less than

beef

Meat Breed

Toggenburg (Switzerland)

Medium in size Hair is short or medium in

length Ears are Erect and Forward Face may be straight or

dished Color is solid varying from

light fawn to dark chocolate

Distinct white markings Some have wattles

Dairy Breed

Alpine

Toggenburg

SpanishSaanenPygmy

Nubian

N. Dwarf

La Mancha

G. Guernsey

BoerAngora