Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Check that the fur is thick and consistent. Except for the Nubian, most goats do not have ex-
cessively shiny fur. It is usually coarse to the touch. As you become more familiar with goats,
you will know how a goat's fur should look and will be able to spot abnormalities more easily.
Make certain there are no bare patches and that the goat's skin generally looks clean and
healthy.
Head, nose, and mouth
A healthy goat's eyes are bright and clear (Note: Goats' eyes have a rectangular pupil). Dull
eyes are a sign of illness in an animal, and there should never be any mucous discharge from
the eyes. The goat's muzzle should be broad with large, well-distended nostrils, indicating ad-
equate nasal passages for breathing. The lips should be muscular because goats use them to
browse for food. The jaws should be strong, and the wear of the teeth should be in keeping
with the age the seller has reported.
The windpipe should be large and well developed. You can feel it through the neck, and you
should observe no breathing difficulty. If you plan to show a purebred, look for a broad fore-
head and a jaw that is neither overshot nor undershot. Ears should be of correct shape and
size. The neck should be slight and feminine in the doe and heavier and more masculine in a
buck, with the length proportionate to the size of the animal. It should blend into the shoulders
and widen toward the base.
Forelegs and chest
The forelegs should be set squarely under the goat to support the chest, not too narrowly or
too far apart, as both positions will result in eventual undue strain on the shoulders and knees.
Look for a broad chest, which will probably contain a well-developed respiratory system.
Barrel
The barrel, or body of the goat, should be broad, and deep — large in every way. This is
where the digestive system resides, and a well-developed digestive system requires plenty of
space to function properly.
Hipbones and rump
The shape of the hipbones and rump is important because this part of the goat's body carries
the weight of the udder. The distance between the hipbones and pin bones should not be too
narrow but should appear to support the animal sturdily. The rump should be broad, and the
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