Goat Terminology (ICAR Based) – Important Definitions for Exams

By Skumar -

Goat Terminology (ICAR Based) – Important Definitions for Exams


Introduction

Goat farming plays a vital role in the livestock economy of India. For students preparing for agriculture, veterinary, and competitive exams (ICAR, AFO, JRF, state exams), understanding standard goat terminology with scientific definitions is essential.

These definitions are not only important for theory papers but are frequently repeated in exams. Most of them are derived from publications of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and standard textbooks like G.C. Banerjee and Sastry & Thomas.

This blog covers highly important, repeatedly asked definitions—explained in a simple, exam-ready format.

1. Basic Goat Terminology (VERY IMPORTANT 🔥)

Goat (Capra hircus)










Definition:
“A goat (Capra hircus) is a domesticated small ruminant belonging to the family Bovidae, reared for milk, meat, fiber, and skin.”
Author: ICAR (Handbook of Animal Husbandry)

👉 Exam Tip: Always write Capra hircus for scientific accuracy.






Buck



Definition:
“An intact, sexually mature male goat used for breeding is called a buck.”
Author: Sastry & Thomas (ICAR)

👉 Asked in: Fill in the blanks / short definitions



Doe



Definition:
“A sexually mature female goat capable of reproduction and milk production is called a doe.”
Author: ICAR Goat Production Manual





Kid




Definition:
“A young goat of either sex from birth up to weaning is called a kid.”
Author: G.C. Banerjee





Wether




Definition:
“A castrated male goat not used for breeding is termed a wether.”
Author: ICAR Training Manual


👉 Exam Trick Question:
Difference between buck vs wether 




2. Reproductive Terminology (HIGHLY ASKED ⭐)

Estrus (Heat)




Definition:
“The recurring period of sexual receptivity in female goats during which ovulation occurs.”
Author: Hafez & Hafez (ICAR syllabus)

👉 Exam Tip: Keyword = sexual receptivity



Gestation Period

Definition:
“The period from fertilization to parturition in goats, averaging about 150 days.”
Author: ICAR

👉 Very Important Value: ✅ 150 days


Kidding



Definition:
“The act of giving birth in goats is called kidding.”
Author: Banerjee, G.C.




Weaning



Definition:
“The process of separating the kid from its mother and shifting to solid feed.”
Author: Sastry & Thomas

3. Production Terminology (IMPORTANT FOR MCQs)

Lactation




Definition:
“The process of milk secretion from the mammary glands after parturition.”
Author: National Dairy Development Board / ICAR




Colostrum




Definition:
“The first milk produced after parturition, rich in antibodies for immunity.”
Author: ICAR

👉 Exam Keyword: Immunoglobulins





Chevon



Definition:
“The meat obtained from goats is known as chevon.”
Author: ICAR Meat Science


Dressing Percentage




Definition:
“The ratio of carcass weight to live body weight expressed in percentage.”
Author: ICAR



4. Health & Management (EXAM FAVORITE)

Vaccination






Definition:
“The administration of vaccines to develop immunity against diseases.”
Author: World Health Organization / ICAR




Deworming








Definition:
“The process of eliminating internal parasites using anthelmintic drugs.”
Author: ICAR






Quarantine














Definition:
“Isolation of animals to prevent the spread of disease.”
Author: ICAR Animal Health Manual

5. Advanced Terminology (SCORING SECTION)

Culling






Definition:
“The removal of unproductive or diseased animals from the herd.”
Author: ICAR




Body Condition Score (BCS)




Definition:
“A method of assessing body fat and health status based on physical observation.”
Author: ICAR



Mortality Rate



Definition:
“The percentage of deaths in a herd during a specific period.”
Author: ICAR

Also Read: FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization)

Conclusion

These important goat terminology definitions are:

  • Frequently asked in exams
  • Based on ICAR & standard authors
  • Easy to remember with images

Mastering these will help you:

  • Crack agriculture & veterinary exams
  • Improve farm management knowledge
  • Write high-scoring answers

Goat Terminology – 25 MCQs with Answers & Explanations

Basic Terminology

1. What is a young goat called?

A) Buck
B) Doe
C) Kid
D) Wether

✅ Answer: C) Kid
Explanation: A young goat (male or female) up to weaning age is called a kid (Banerjee, ICAR).

2. An adult male goat used for breeding is known as:

A) Wether
B) Buck
C) Ram
D) Kid

✅ Answer: B) Buck
Explanation: A buck is a sexually mature intact male goat used for breeding.

3. A castrated male goat is called:

A) Buck
B) Doe
C) Wether
D) Kid

✅ Answer: C) Wether
Explanation: A wether is a castrated male goat, mainly reared for meat.

4. Scientific name of goat is:

A) Bos indicus
B) Capra hircus
C) Ovis aries
D) Sus scrofa

✅ Answer: B) Capra hircus
Explanation: According to Indian Council of Agricultural Research, goat belongs to Capra hircus.

5. A mature female goat is called:

A) Doe
B) Ewe
C) Mare
D) Sow

✅ Answer: A) Doe
Explanation: A doe is a mature female goat capable of reproduction.

🔬 Reproductive Terminology

6. The heat period in goats is called:

A) Estrus
B) Ovulation
C) Lactation
D) Gestation

✅ Answer: A) Estrus
Explanation: Estrus is the period when the doe is sexually receptive.

7. Average gestation period of goat is:

A) 120 days
B) 150 days
C) 180 days
D) 210 days

✅ Answer: B) 150 days
Explanation: As per ICAR, gestation in goats is approximately 150 days.

8. The process of giving birth in goats is called:

A) Calving
B) Lambing
C) Kidding
D) Farrowing

✅ Answer: C) Kidding
Explanation: Birth in goats is termed kidding.

9. Fertility refers to:

A) Milk production
B) Disease resistance
C) Reproductive capacity
D) Growth rate

✅ Answer: C) Reproductive capacity
Explanation: Fertility is the ability to produce offspring.

10. Weaning means:

A) Feeding milk
B) Separation from mother
C) Breeding
D) Vaccination

✅ Answer: B) Separation from mother
Explanation: Weaning is shifting the kid from milk to solid feed.

🥛 Production Terminology

11. Milk secretion process is called:

A) Digestion
B) Lactation
C) Respiration
D) Fermentation

✅ Answer: B) Lactation
Explanation: Lactation is milk production after parturition.

12. First milk after birth is:

A) Whey
B) Cream
C) Colostrum
D) Casein

✅ Answer: C) Colostrum
Explanation: Colostrum is rich in antibodies (ICAR).

13. Goat meat is called:

A) Mutton
B) Beef
C) Chevon
D) Pork

✅ Answer: C) Chevon
Explanation: Goat meat is scientifically termed chevon.

14. Dressing percentage refers to:

A) Feed intake
B) Milk yield
C) Carcass yield
D) Growth rate

✅ Answer: C) Carcass yield
Explanation: Ratio of carcass weight to live weight.

15. Colostrum is rich in:

A) Fat
B) Protein
C) Immunoglobulins
D) Minerals

✅ Answer: C) Immunoglobulins
Explanation: Provides immunity to newborn kids.

🏥 Health & Management

16. Deworming is done to control:

A) Bacteria
B) Viruses
C) Parasites
D) Fungi

✅ Answer: C) Parasites
Explanation: Removes internal worms using anthelmintics.

17. Vaccination is used for:

A) Growth
B) Immunity
C) Feeding
D) Breeding

✅ Answer: B) Immunity
Explanation: Vaccines protect against diseases (WHO/ICAR).

18. Isolation of animals to prevent disease spread is called:

A) Culling
B) Quarantine
C) Selection
D) Weaning

✅ Answer: B) Quarantine
Explanation: Prevents disease transmission.

19. Daily feed given to animals is called:

A) Diet
B) Ration
C) Feedstuff
D) Fodder

✅ Answer: B) Ration
Explanation: Total feed in 24 hours.

20. Goats feeding on shrubs is called:

A) Grazing
B) Browsing
C) Feeding
D) Chewing

✅ Answer: B) Browsing
Explanation: Goats prefer shrubs and leaves (browsers).

📊 Advanced Terminology

21. Removal of unproductive animals is called:

A) Selection
B) Breeding
C) Culling
D) Feeding

✅ Answer: C) Culling
Explanation: Improves herd quality.

22. Crossing two different breeds is:

A) Pure breeding
B) Crossbreeding
C) Inbreeding
D) Line breeding

✅ Answer: B) Crossbreeding
Explanation: Combines desirable traits.

23. Body condition score indicates:

A) Milk yield
B) Body fat
C) Age
D) Breed

✅ Answer: B) Body fat
Explanation: Reflects health and nutrition status.

24. Mortality rate means:

A) Birth rate
B) Death rate
C) Growth rate
D) Fertility rate

✅ Answer: B) Death rate
Explanation: Percentage of deaths in herd.

25. Group of goats is called:

A) Flock
B) Herd
C) Pack
D) Team

✅ Answer: B) Herd
Explanation: Standard term used in livestock management.




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