FACTS ABOUT GOATS

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.  Goats are one of the oldest domesticated species, and have been used for their milk, meat, hair, and skins over much of the world. Goats are among the earliest animals domesticated by humans. They were first domesticated by man in 10,000 B.C. The most recent genetic analysis confirms the archaeological evidence that the wild bezoar of the Anatolian Zagros are the likely origin of almost all domestic goats today. Most goats can be found in Asia and the Mid-East. There are over 210 breeds of goats in the world. Goats were first brought to America by Columbus in 1493. The female goat is called a "doe" or "nanny." The male goat is called a "buck" or "billy." A castrated male goat is called a "wether." A baby goat is called a "kid." The act of giving birth is called "kidding." Goats do not have teeth in their upper front jaw. They have 24 molars and 8 incisors. Normally goats have two teats and cows have four. The natural life expectancy for goats is around 8 to 12 years and in some cases, goats can live over 15 years. The age of puberty for female goats is between 7-10 months and 4-8 months in male goats. The breeding age for male goats is between 8-10 months. The length of gestation in does is between 146 to 155 days. The normal body temperature for goats is between 101.7 to 104.5 degrees. The heart rate of goats is between 70 to 135 beats per minute. The normal respiration rate for goats is 12 to 15 breaths per minute. A large group of goats is called a herd. Before coins were used for money, goats were traded for silver because they were so valuable. Goat’s milk is easily digestible and less allergenic than cow’s milk. Goat’s milk is higher in calcium, vitamin A and niacin than cow’s milk. Goat meat is lower in fat and cholesterol compared to beef, pork,mutton and poultry. Goats are herbivores (plant-eaters) that spend most of their day grazing. Goats do not have tear ducts. Goats are ruminants. They have a four-chambered stomach consisting of the rumen, the reticulum, the omasum, and the abomasum.