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NEW YORK STATE 4-H MEAT GOAT PROJECT FACT SHEET #11
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by
Dr. E. A. B. Oltenacu
Revised April 1999
by Dr.Tatiana Stanton
Cornell University, Ithaca , NY 14853
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TEETH AND AGE OF THE GOAT |
| The eight teeth in the lower front jaw of your
goat can help you to tell his age. They are not an exact or
perfect guide, as various factors such as diet will influence
the growth of teeth. Also, every goat is an individual just
like you and your friends. Remember, not all your baby teeth
fell out at the same time as those of other children in your
classes. A goat’s teeth may grow and fall out at slightly
different ages than the teeth of any other goat. There are no
upper front teeth in the goat’s mouth, instead your wether
has a tough toothless “dental pad”. Your goat does
have teeth on the top and bottom of his jaw further back in
his mouth. These back teeth help him to chew his cud. We do
not use these to tell his age. |
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First year (Kid) |
| All teeth are small and
sharp. They will gradually be replaced by larger, permanent
teeth, and this process is used to help determine the age
of the goat.
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Second year (Yearling) |
The goat loses the two middle
front teeth when it is around 12 months old, and they are
replaced by larger, permanent teeth. |
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Third year (2-3 year-old) |
The teeth next to the middle
pair are replaced by permanent teeth when the goat is about
24 months old. |
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Fourth Year (4 year-old) |
The goat now has six permanent
teeth, with only one pair of kid teeth remaining. |
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Fifth year (4 year-old
and over) |
The set of 8 front teeth
is complete. The age of the goat beyond 5 years must be guessed
at from the amount of wear on the teeth. This is very variable,
and diet has a big effect. Goats on a rough, coarse diet will
grind their teeth away faster than does on an easily eaten
diet. Does grazing on rough pasture will show considerable
wear sooner than barn-fed does on a better quality ration.
Teeth spread, loosen and finally drop out as the goat ages.
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