Small herd glossary: goat, sheep and pasture terms in plain language

Health and arrivals

Quarantine

Keeping new or returning animals separate from the rest of the herd for a period. Penn State's introductory guide recommends it for new and returning animals. Ask your veterinarian how to set up separation and monitoring on your property. New arrivals need a plan

Biosecurity

Habits that stop disease from moving onto and around a farm, such as quarantine and changing contaminated shoes or clothing after contact with other herds.

Parasite exposure

How much contact animals have with worm eggs and larvae, mostly from the ground where they graze or eat. Penn State links ground feeding and pasture management to it. A pasture note with a useful memory

Animal identifier

A tag, tattoo or name used in your notes so you can tell which animal you observed. A note that says the herd ate normally can miss one animal that stayed away. Individual history inside the herd picture

Feed, water and pasture

Ground feeding

Offering feed on the ground. Penn State explains it can contribute to health problems, particularly parasite exposure, which is why raised feeders are often suggested. Keep feed out of the dirty traffic

Walk-through feeder

A feeder animals can step into or through. Penn State warns that dirty footwear can contaminate it, so keep manure-covered boots away from feed surfaces.

Rotational grazing

Moving animals between pasture sections on a plan so plants can recover. Penn State connects pasture management with forage quality and parasite exposure and recommends rotational planning. The right plan depends on your land, weather and animals.

Forage

Plants animals graze or that are cut for them, such as grass and hay.

Stocking rate

How many animals a given area of pasture supports. Write down the real dates and conditions instead of guessing a carrying capacity.

Water system

The whole supply: source, hoses, floats, buckets or troughs, and winter equipment. Penn State notes that poor water quality or too little water can reduce feed intake and performance. A full-looking bucket does not prove every animal can use it. Check the water system

Fencing and breeding

Perimeter fence

The outer fence that holds livestock in and keeps predators out. Penn State says suitable systems depend on the property and species, so ask an experienced adviser to look at yours. Walk the boundary with a repair list

Kidding and lambing

The birth of goat kids and lambs. Use a known breeding date to get a broad planning window, then prepare a kit with your veterinarian. A due date is not an instruction to intervene. Kidding and lambing preparation

Breeding date

The day a doe or ewe was bred, when known. Planning tools count forward from it to give a broad window, not an exact day.

Sources

Definitions are plain-language summaries for general education, not veterinary advice. Sources checked October 20, 2026.