The validity of horn ring counts to determine the age of Scottish feral goats (Capra (domestic))

The use of horn ring counts to age species in the tribes Caprini and Rupricaprini (Bovidae) has been well documented. Few studies have, however, tested the validity of the method. This paper compares the number of horn rings with age in years for individually known Scottish feral goats (Capra (domestic)). For all age-sex classes, except females older than two years, the number of horn rings corresponded exactly to the age in years. The discrepancies amongst older females were attributed to difficulties in counting their horn rings due to the small size of the horn and wear.