what is a wether goat?
If you are new to goats, there are a few terms you may not be familiar with. Today, we are going to talk about boy goats and the difference between a buck and a wether. What is a wether goat, and why is it helpful to have one in your herd.
How to raise dairy goats includes more than does in milk. You also want wethers, bucks, and kids to round out a robust and healthy herd.
Adding livestock to your homestead can be overwhelming. If you have never raised or cared for livestock before, it can be a lot to know and learn before you get started.
Sifting through all that info takes time, and my goal is to help break things down so you can grow your homestead with confidence.
Each type of livestock has its own terminology. And yes, that can be a bit overwhelming at first. However, once you know the basics, you will soon be talking the goat language.
Goat Terminology
Something livestock terms can feel like a different language. Let’s go over a few of the most common words that are used regarding goats.
#1. Buck
A “buck” is a male goat that has not been neutered. He is what we call “in tact” and his main purpose in a herd is to breed the female goats.
#2. Doe
A doe is a female goat, and her main role is to have babies to grow the herd and/or to keep up milk production.
#3. Kids
Kids are young goats that are not yet of breeding age.
#4. Bucklings or doelings
Bucklings are young male goats and doelings are young female goats.
what is a goat Wether?
A wether is a male goat that is neutered or castrated. These words are very similar, with only one difference.
- Neutered means the removal of the reproductive organs in either sex of an animal.
- Castration is a specific term used with male animals.
And even though a castrated goat may appear to have no purpose in a herd, the opposite is true.
Why do you want a wether in your goat herd?
A wether goat serves a specific purpose in a herd, companionship. Goats are herd animals that need to be around other livestock to thrive. There is where a wether plays an important role.
- Does – If you have a doe that you breed and want a companion that is safe to have with her year round, a wether is your answer.
- Bucks – Most small homesteads only have one buck to breed their herd, and many times, that buck is kept away from the does when it is not breeding season. A wether can be kept with a buck to provide companionship, helping the buck to relax while he is away from the does.
What are the benefits of wethered goats?
We have had a wether in our herd for many years, and each year, we find another benefit to having him around.
#1. A wethered goat is more docile than a buck that is intact. Since they do not have the hormones, they do not go into rut. This eliminates over eager behavior and the smell that most bucks have during that time.
#2. Wethered goats are easier to handle and are great choices for pets or companions for other animals like horses, donkeys, sheep, even poultry.
#3. If you’re not interested in breeding goats and want a companion for your does, having a wether will give that companionship without the risk of accidental pregnancies.
#4. Wethered goats are great to have for your buck. In our herd, we have a wether name Peanut, and his job is to keep our buck, Fin, company during the off-season. These two goats are great friends and will stay close to each other throughout their time together.
However, once Fin goes into a rut, he becomes a different animal and might get aggressive toward Peanut. To keep our wether safe during that time, we move him to a temporary pen until breeding season is over.
Why would he get hurt?
When a buck is in rut, they tend to have a one-track mind and that is breeding any does that are in heat. This mindset also drives them to remove any compentition including wethered goats.
Even though we know they are not a threat, a buck doesn’t realize it and may push or head-butt any competitor, even if it is a goat they are fond of any other time throughout the year.
health issues to watch out for
If you live in a wet area as we do, you may have issues with worm overloads in a herd. This is true with any goat including wethers.
Over the years, I have learned that the cleaner I can keep their shelter, the fewer outbreaks we tend to have. Another tip is to incorporate a natural worming routine to keep parasites from getting out of hand.
Wethers are also at risk of developing urinary calculi a condition that if left untreated can become deadly to a goat.
What is Urinary Calculi?
Urinary calculi is when stones, usually comprised of phosphate salts, lodge in the urinary tract and prevent urination. This is a painful condition that can also be deadly if not caught or left untreated.
When a male goat is wethered, the hormones that cause urinary tract growth slow down significantly. This can cause an increased risk of urinary calculi.
How can you prevent urinary calculi?
There are a few things you can do to help prevent urinary calculi in a weather.
- Do not feed grain – Feeding grain can affect the calcium in a goat,, including wethers, can live their entire causing crystals to form in the urine. Contrary to what you might think, most goats including wethers can live their entire lives without any grain.
- Give more roughage – Be sure to have plenty of pasture to graze on and/or good quality hay.
- Provide plenty of fresh water – Water will help flush out the bladder by encouraging goats to pee more often.
- Offer feed with ammonium chloride. This will help reduce or prevent stones from forming.
What is a sign of Urinary Calculi?
The biggest sign of Urinary Calculi in a goat is frequent squatting to pea but nothing coming out. This should set off alarm bells if you see it happening over and over. The quicker you treat things the better.
Read our full list of signs of urinary calculi in goats.
How to care for a wether goat
• Water is the most important part of raising healthy animals, and the same is true with wethers. Be sure to have plenty of fresh water available at all times.
• Feed a diet that is mainly good quality hay, such as alfalfa or Timothy grass.
• Housing does not need to be separate from the rest of the herd. Since your goat is wethered, he can stay in with the does year-round.
• Minerals are an important part of raising healthy goats. Provide free-choice goat mineral supplements that help prevent urinary calculi.
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What should you feed your wether goat?
Wethers do not have the same nutritional needs as does or bucks, so it’s important to provide them with the appropriate feed to encourage their best health. High-quality grass hay or alfalfa, along with free choice minerals.
Grain is not only unnecessary for wethers it is not recommended as it can cause urinary stones that can lead to urinary calculi.
Wether goats can be a great addition to your homestead if you’re looking for a docile, low-maintenance option. By providing your wether with proper care and a balanced diet, you can ensure that he’ll stay healthy and happy for years to come.
Whether you’re new to homesteading or looking to add to your current livestock, consider adding a wether goat to your property.
