SCIGBA, NAMING A GOAT        

A goat’s name identifies the breeder as well as its individual name. Understanding the parts of goat’s name will help you name your animals and understand something about a goat when you see its name.

 Example:  CHANCE ACRES (breeder’s Herd Name) STARLIGHT (individual goat name)

The whole goat’s name, including the Herd Name and the Individual Name cannot be longer than 30 characters. This is partly so the whole name will fit on the Registration Certificate. Shorter herd names also make it easier to give the individual goat names. 

NAME IS PERMANENT AFTER REGISTRATION

Goats need to keep their original name that they had when they were registered or that the breeder gave them. Subsequent owners can, of course, give them nicknames or call names, but the goat’s registered name cannot be changed. The reason for this is to keep track of lineage, and this makes it possible to determine inbreeding percent as well as our rare lines percents.

For example, if a goat’s name changed 4 times throughout its life when going from one owner to another, it would be nearly impossible to know who that goat really is. and their relations. 

Changing a goat’s name causes a lot of confusion for the registration and lineage tracking of its offspring. Subsequent breeders might unintentionally breed half siblings if one of their goats has a pedigree that uses the old name of a goat and another uses the new name. Comparing pedigrees of offspring becomes confusing at best and generates suspicion of poor record keeping (or worse) when one copy of a pedigree has one name and a newer copy has a different name. 

HERD NAME IDENTIFIES THE BREEDER

The herd name used is always the herd name of the registered owner of the doe at the time of breeding. The one who owned the dam at the time the doe was bred is the breeder and therefore it is the breeder’s herd name that becomes a permanent part of the offspring’s name.

Herd names are obtained through SCIGBA Registry and must not begin with a herd name that is already reserved, sound like another herd name or needs to be acceptable according to SCIGBA standards. Owning a herd name is an important part of building your reputation and recognition as a breeder.

To register a goat you must have a herd name as the breeder. We even have a form for people to obtain a herd name without becoming a member – see our website under “Non Member Enrollment”. Cost is $4.  (3 Non-Member Enrollment) 

When you become a Member of the SCIBA, you also submit a herd name as part of the application, and several preferences may be requested.  To ensure a herd name is available, call the SCIGBA Registry at (785-456-8500).