Small ruminant

goats/sheep terms

band

group of goats

buck

adult male goat over one year old

doe

adult female goat over one year old

kid

young goat, less than a year old

kidding

act of parturition in goats

buck kid/buckling

male goat under a year old

doe kid/doeling

female goat under a year old

caprine

relates to the goat family

flock

group of sheep

ram/tup

male sheep over one year old

ewe

female sheep over one year old

lamb

a sheep less than one year of age

lambing

the act of parturition in sheep

ovine

relates to the sheep species

polled

naturally and genetically having no horns

wether

a castrated male

wool

the fiber that sheep grow

yearling

a sheep between 1-2 years old that may or may not have lambed

maternal breed

breeds with strong maternal characteristics

dorper

do not require shearing, can adapt to range of climates and have thick skin, South African meat sheep

polled dorset

developed at north carolina state university, naturally hornless, high lambing rates, high milk production, a maternal breed

merino

loose skin with fine soft wool, imported to the US in the 1800s, mostly in New Zealand and Australia

hampshire

desirable carcass characteristics, brown/black markings on ears, face, legs, and are terminal sires

southdown

originated in england, popular wool and meat breed, dual purpose, medium sized

terminal sires

create offspring with desirable meat characteristics for production

boer

excellent carcass qualities, fast growth, docility

pygmy

miniature meat breed, short and stocky, popular companion animal

angora

fiber breed from turkey, gift from sultan, fine mohair coats that are used for fiber

drenching

oral administration of medication, to control internal parasites

hoof trimming

hoofs are trimmed to keep animals sound to make sure injury or disease does not occur

shearing

removal of sheep fleece and helps keep sheep cool

crutching

shearing wool around legs, tail, and rear to remove feces and potential parasites

milking

milked every 12 hours for the four days following parturition

vaccination

administered to protect against diseases

deworming

to remove internal parasites and to build up resistance