Anika Nicole, Wordsmith, PG In Journalism, New York
Answered Mar 17, 2021
A castrated male goat is called wether. Although the spelling is different, it is pronounced just the same as weather. A goat is castrated so as to prevent inbreeding that can cause several genetic defects and poor growth rate. Inbreeding refers to breeding a female goat or ewe that is related to a male goat or buck.
It is also castrated to avoid unwanted pregnancies especially if an ewe is not mature enough to become pregnant and to make a male goat less aggressive and easier to manage. Please remember, however, that a male goat should be castrated as early as possible to avoid infections and complications. Also, it is extremely painful for an adult male goat to be castrated.
Wether. The word comes from the Middle English word ram and Old English word akin. Wethers are castrated at a young age before they become sexually mature. While they can live with female sheep or goats, they are usually kept separated from one another.
At first meaning male ship, the word weather has been a term used for just as long as sheep have been around. This dates back to before the 12th century. Lead wethers are called bellwethers. Not only are they the leaders of the flock, but they also wear a bell. Farmers and shepherds mainly use this word.