Some General Facts:

1. Goats were domesticated about 9,000 years ago.

2. There are around 450 million goats on the planet. Mostly in Africa & the Middle East.

3. Goats are ruminants, like cows and sheep.

4. Contrary to popular belief, goats do not eat everything!

5. Goats have horizontal slit shaped pupils, which increases peripheral depth perception.

6. Both male and female goats have beards and many breeds also have toggles, one on each side of the neck.

7. All goats have two horns.

8. Goats live on average 15-18 years.

9. The world’s oldest goat ‘McGinty’ died at the age of 22½.

10. The Angora goat produces mohair. (Angora wool comes from Angora rabbits).

11. Goats usually give birth to twins, but up to sextuplets are known.

12. The gestation period of a goat is 150 days.

13. Although they can look similar, goats can be distinguished from sheep by the fact that goats tails point up whilst sheep tails point down.

Some Milk Facts:

14. Goats produce 2% of the worlds milk supply.

15. Goats milk has smaller fat globules than cows milk making it easier to digest.

16. Properly produced goats milk tastes very similar to cows milk.

And Finally

17. A goat called William Windsor was a lance corporal in the 1^st battalion, the Royal Welsh from 2001- 2009, except for 3 months when he was demoted to fusilier for inappropriate behaviour during the Queens Official Birthday celebrations.

Common Breeds of Goat:

Anglo Nubian

Angora

Cashmere

Pygmy

Some Definitions:

Billy: Male Goat (or if you are posh Buck)

Nanny: Female Goat (or if you are posh Doe)

Kid: Young goat under 1 year of age. Weaned at 5 months.

Herd/Tribe: Group of goats.