If you’re about to get a goat, you’ll find yourself choosing between a doe, a buck, and a wether goat.
But what is a wether goat?
Most people don’t know what wether goats are. Some even think they’re a different breed, but that’s not the case. In this article, we’ll let you in on wether goats and their characteristics.
So, to learn more about wether goats and why they’re good for your farm, read on!
What Is a Wether Goat?
It’s basically a male goat castrated sometime between the 8th and 12th week. These goats can be castrated for multiple reasons, such as:
- The breeder only wants high-quality bucks to be bred
- Wether goats don’t need much space on the farm
- The bucklings’ foul odor is upsetting the owner
Wether goats have some advantages, giving them leverage over bucklings. They’re often the choice of farm owners who don’t want to be bothered by temperamental behavior.
Wether Goat vs. Bucks: Why Owners Prefer Wether Goats
Aside from breeding reasons, owners always choose to keep a wethered goat instead of a buckling. Here, we’ll tell you what makes a wether goat so special and why it’s better than a buck.
No Hormonal Odor
The odor of an uncastrated male goat is powerful and unpleasant to most humans at the time of breeding.
As part of their breeding process, bucks get urine on their faces for the smell. This odor is supposed to invite does, but it can go a long distance making everyone around the bucks uncomfortable with the scent.
This odor can also infiltrate into the milk that female goats make. This is one of the reasons why male goats are frequently isolated from the does.
While a wether goat does not smell like flowers, he also doesn’t smell like urine.
An Easier Temperament to Handle
Wethered goats are relatively easy to deal with. At the very least, they’re easier than bucks, which can be a hassle to deal with even outside of their heat. Their hormones typically intensify their aggressiveness.
Bucks may attack does when they feel like it, and they may be overwhelming to deal with, especially considering their reckless personalities.
You can get rid of aggressive behavior in a buckling by castrating him. In exchange, you’ll be able to conserve space by allowing the wether goats to roam freely among the other goats.
Wethers’ weights and attitudes are also normally steady all year because they don’t have shifting hormones. However, a doe, for instance, may require extra nutrition during pregnancy or become fussy when in heat.
Longer Lifespan
Wether goats live longer than does and bucks because they don’t have to deal with the stresses of reproduction. They can live up to 16 years, whereas does and bucks only live to reach 9 or 12 years old.
The goat’s general health and care will ultimately decide how long it continues to live. Wethers have a naturally longer lifespan because they don’t go through reproduction. If you wish to grow livestock with a longer lifespan, wethered goats may be the best option.
Isn’t Worth a Pretty Penny
A pedigree purebred doe or buck can cost up to $700, but a wether young can be bought for under $100, which makes them significantly cheaper. If you’re on a tight budget, a wether goat is the obvious better choice.
Low Maintenance
Bucks and does must be kept apart. They should only interact when it’s time for breeding, and you’ll still want to keep an eye out for any violence.
That implies they’ll need a place of their own to live, which can be tricky to organize. Dedicating a separate area for them to live can be costly, and it’s not always applicable when there’s not enough room.
The good news is, you don’t have to separate your wether goats from the does, which is another advantage.
Generally, wether goats don’t mind spending a long time with does, and they’ll keep their peace.
Benefits of a Wether Goat
Now that we’ve listed why people see the wether goat as a better choice than a buck, let’s take a look at a few other things that a wether goat can do for us. These benefits only confirm how beneficial wether goats are.
Remove Brush
Wether goats, in particular, are known for eating anything. They’re ideal if you have a piece of property that has to be cleared, but don’t want to spend a large amount on removal.
Allow your wether goat to munch for several hours daily. He will consume weeds, leaves, branches, and almost anything else he can find in a short period of time.
Using a goat rather than gas-powered machinery to clear land is both cost-effective and environment-friendly.
If you despise mowing your lawn, then the answer is to purchase a few wether goats as an investment.
Monitor Breeding
If you have a few bucks to breed, having wether goats with your does will make breeding easier. These guys can tell when a doe is in heat and when a breeding attempt has failed.
Determining what’s effective and what’s not when breeding goats can be challenging, so these goats can be extremely valuable.
A wether goat, while not being capable of reproducing, will attempt to breed with a doe in heat normally if the doe is welcoming.
Leading the Pack
A wether goat is easy to train to be a herd leader.
He’ll lead the does out and herd them all back into their place at night. In some cases, the wethers will be the wise owls of the herd, resolving conflicts and safeguarding the young.
Because they have a calmer temperament than bucks, you can teach them to deal with these situations more easily over time.
In a herd, fights can occur naturally. Therefore, castrated goats can help keep things running smoothly.
Final Thoughts
Unlike bucklings, a wether goat is a joy to have around. A wether can keep your lawn mowed and your goat breeding program on track, in addition to being friendly, odor-free, and simple to train.
Don’t be afraid to castrate your bucks; they’ll provide you with better company than what you’d imagine.