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Skillathon Study Guide --
Telling Age by Looking at a Goat's Teeth
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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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