Glossary & Resources
Understanding the language of goat keeping and knowing where to find reliable information are key to becoming a confident herd manager.
Common Goat Terminology
Buck: An intact (uncastrated) male goat.
Buckling: A male baby goat (under one year of age).
Doe: A female goat.
Doeling: A female baby goat (under one year of age).
Wether: A castrated male goat.
Kid: A baby goat, male or female.
Kidding: The act of a doe giving birth.
Dam: The mother of a goat.
Sire: The father of a goat.
Freshen: To begin producing milk after giving birth.
Dry Doe: A doe that is not currently lactating (producing milk).
Heat (Estrus): The period in a doe's reproductive cycle (usually 12-48 hours) when she is fertile and receptive to a buck.
Polled: A goat that is naturally hornless due to genetics.
Disbudding: The process of removing horn buds on a young kid to prevent horn growth.
Scurs: Small, misshapen horn growths that can occur after an incomplete disbudding.
Rumen: The largest of the four stomach compartments in a goat, responsible for fermentation.
Browse: Woody plants, shrubs, and leaves that goats prefer to eat.
Colostrum: A doe's first milk after kidding, rich in antibodies essential for a kid's immunity.
Key Health Concepts in Detail
BCS (Body Condition Score)
This is a hands-on 1-5 scale used to assess a goat's body fat reserves, which is a key indicator of health. You can't judge condition by sight alone, especially on a goat with a thick winter coat. You must feel along their spine, ribs, and hips to determine their score.
CDT Vaccine
The core vaccine for goats. "CD" protects against Clostridium perfringens types C & D (enterotoxemia or "overeating disease"), and "T" protects against Tetanus. This vaccine is critical for preventing sudden death from digestive issues or infected wounds.
Tetanus: Toxoid vs. Antitoxin
It is vital to understand the difference. The **CDT Toxoid** is the vaccine you give annually for long-term prevention. It prompts the goat's body to create its own antibodies. The **Tetanus Antitoxin** provides immediate, temporary antibodies and is only used in an emergency, such as after an injury if the goat is not up-to-date on its vaccine, or for kids at banding/castration time.
FAMACHA© Scoring
This is a system for assessing anemia by checking the color of a goat's lower eyelids against a chart. It is the primary tool for managing the deadly barber pole worm (Haemonchus contortus), allowing you to deworm only the animals that need it and thus slowing parasite resistance.
Coccidiosis
A common and potentially deadly parasitic disease in kids, usually between 3 weeks and 5 months of age. It is caused by a protozoa that damages the intestinal lining, causing severe diarrhea (scours). Prevention focuses on keeping pens clean and dry and often involves using medicated feed or water.
Zinc Deficiency
A mineral deficiency that often occurs when a goat's diet is too high in calcium (e.g., too much alfalfa for non-milking goats), as calcium can inhibit zinc absorption. Symptoms include patchy hair loss (especially on the face and tail), a thick or flaky coat, and sometimes excessive salivating or foaming at the mouth.
CAE (Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis)
A contagious and incurable viral disease, primarily affecting dairy goats. It most commonly appears as arthritis ("big knees") in adult goats but can also cause encephalitis (brain inflammation) in kids. It is primarily spread from doe to kid through colostrum and milk, so prevention relies on heat-treating colostrum and feeding pasteurized milk or replacer.
CL (Caseous Lymphadenitis)
A chronic, contagious bacterial infection that causes abscesses in the lymph nodes, most commonly around the jaw and neck. The pus from these abscesses is highly infectious to other goats and can live in the soil for years. There is no cure, and prevention involves strict biosecurity and testing.
Johne's Disease
A fatal, contagious gastrointestinal disease that causes a slow, progressive wasting away in adult goats. The bacteria is shed by infected animals long before they show symptoms, making it very difficult to control. There is no cure, so prevention relies on buying animals only from herds tested negative for the disease.
LGD: Livestock Guardian Dog, such as a Great Pyrenees or Anatolian Shepherd.
Recommended Online Resources
While this guide is a great start, always seek out information from reputable, science-based sources.
- Your Local University Extension Service: Search for "[Your State] University Extension Small Ruminant" to find articles, webinars, and local experts tailored to your region's specific challenges.
- American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA): The largest goat registry in the U.S., with breed information and performance programs.
- American Goat Society (AGS): Another major registry, especially for miniature dairy goat breeds.
- American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control (ACSRPC): The definitive source for up-to-date information on parasite management and dewormer resistance.