Goats have long been a staple of most farms.
They have been used for their milk, their coats, their meat, and for grazing land.
As common as they are on farms, they are often and easily confused with sheep.
This raises the question: are goats and sheep related?
It’s a good question and a good one to explore.
Both goats and sheep are hoofed mammals from the Caprinae subfamily, but they are two different species.
They are believed to have been domesticated 10,000 years ago and were popular because they provided a range of uses including meat, milk, fiber, and wool.
This multi-purpose use made goats and sheep especially helpful in the farming economy.
While goats and sheep are believed to have evolved in the mountains of Asia, they migrated or were transported for use on farms or to trade goods.
Goats and sheep may look alike, but they have clear differences in their looks and behavior.
This article will outline those differences, the benefits of owning goats and sheep, and other animal relatives they share.
How are goats and sheep different?
A few ways to spot a goat versus a sheep is their tails.
Goats’ tails point up while a sheeps’ tails hang down.
Goats have beards while sheep have rounder bodies.
Sheep are known for their woolly coats that need to be regularly sheared.
Goats are slimmer than sheep and don’t typically require haircuts unless you are collecting their hair for fiber.
Another distinguishing feature: the horns of sheep grow outward in a spiral from the side of their head while a goat’s horns grow up and outward from the top of their head.
Sheep are natural herders and like to stay in a pack while goats are more curious and can be quite independent.
Sheep are grazers and eat a lot of food that is already close to the ground like grass and clover.
Goats eat food that is higher off the ground, often standing on their hind legs to grab it from low-hanging trees or shrubs.
Both goats and sheep are considered social animals and often like to move in moderate-size groups for companionship and for protection from predators.
Both goats and sheep also bond closely with their young and can be quite protective of them.
Related – Can Goats And Sheep Live Together?
What are the benefits of owning a goat or a sheep?
For farmers, goats and sheep can be especially beneficial to the operation of their farm.
In addition to producing things like milk, cheese, and soap, they also are great at clearing land.
Goats love to eat weeds.
Place them on a lot that needs to be cleared and they can go to work.
Similarly, sheep love to graze all day and can clear brush quickly.
They also come with a built-in benefit in the form of their woolly coat, which requires regular shearing.
Goats are extremely social animals and are easy to train.
They enjoy interacting with people and their small size makes them easier to handle.
Sheep are easier to keep fenced in than goats and are most comfortable staying with their flock.
Goats are more intelligent and often get into more trouble.
What is better goat farming or sheep farming?
To answer this question, you must first know your goal.
Goats produce more babies per year – usually at least two compared to just 1-2 babies for sheep.
Goats require less maintenance and can help keep your farm clean by eating up weeds.
They can also be a good source of milk and cheese and their coats can be used for cashmere.
Sheep require a little more effort, but they sell for more and they provide valuable wool.
Both animals can be raised on a farm or homestead with relative ease.
Should goats be separated from sheep?
Yes. It is generally recommended that you separate goats and sheep.
Goats are more adventurous while sheep are more aloof and enjoy grazing in a herd.
As a result, goats can get aggressive with sheep and potentially injure them.
What is a goat-sheep hybrid?
A goat-sheep hybrid is when a goat and a sheep mate.
An offspring from this pairing is very rare and is often stillborn, which scientists say is an indication of a large genetic difference between goats and sheep.
One other major differentiating factor between the two species is that goats have 60 chromosomes while sheep have 54.
Is a ram a goat or a sheep?
A ram is a male sheep.
Rams tend to be bigger and heavier, with large, curved horns reaching back over their head.
They can be especially aggressive and have been known to knock people over with one blow from their horns.
Rams typically aren’t kept with female sheep – known as ewes.
Female sheep spend most of their time grazing in a herd while rams are separated – often with goats or other livestock.
What other animals are related to goats and sheep?
As hoofed mammals, goats and sheep are also part of the family that includes bison, buffalo, antelopes, and domestic cattle.
They share these common characteristics: horns, hooves, living in herds for protection, and grazing on grass and other plants.
Goats and sheep are said to be the first livestock domesticated by humans thousands of years ago.
Goats and sheep are the most popular livestock animals.
They may look extremely similar, but this article has outlined the characteristics and behavior that sets goats and sheep apart.
We’ve discussed helpful details about the benefits these sustainable livestock can bring to your farm or backyard, and we investigated their hoofed relatives to learn more.
Goats are wonderful animals and their cousin, the sheep, could be a great addition to your growing home or farm.