- Male – billy
- Female – nanny
- Baby – kid
- Angora male – buck
- Angora female – doe
Modern breeds of goat in Britain were imported in the late-19th and 20th century, or derived from crossing native
breeds with imported goats.
Many goats of both sexes have horns, but these are usually removed when they are young.
Products
- Meat – although not generally common in Britain, in other countries goat meat is very popular.
- Milk – some children who are unable to digest cow's milk have goat's milk instead. The milk is also used in the production of cheese and yoghurt.
- Fibre – Angora goat fibre is known as mohair.
Breeds
Anglo-Nubian goat
From the end of the 19th century, these goats were carried to Britain on P&O steamers to provide milk for infant passengers. These
eastern goats were then cross-bred, resulting in the Anglo-Nubian of today. Their milk is high in butter fat and protein, making it
ideal for yoghurt production. The Anglo-Nubian is well suited to hot climates and can be seen in many tropical countries. It is a
large, graceful goat with a distinctive Roman nose and long ears.
Angora goats
The fleece of the Angora is woven into a cloth called 'mohair' and can grow at a rate of 2.5cm per week. These goats dislike the
rain and mud, and they are browsers, not just grazers – they eat shoots from trees, bushes and shrubs.
Pygmy goat
The pygmy goat is genetically small. It originated in the Cameroon Valley of West Africa, but despite their size and origin they
are very hardy. They are gentle, responsive and very intelligent, and for this reason they are often kept as pets. Pygmy goats
are low milk yielders, only producing enough for their kids.
Facts
- Both males and females have horns.
- Goat’s milk is used to make cheese, yoghurt and fine chocolate.
- Billy goats have a long beard and can be very smelly.