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Disclaimer : I am not a vet. Although I may suggest medications, dosages,
and treatments for animals, you should always have a vet, use a vet, and
consult a vet.
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Junior Does
This is just about the most common question I get about breeding. I
don't believe that one can say a specific age that is always the right
answer across the board. In my opinion each doe is different. All lines
mature at different rates, so one line that may mature very quickly, maybe
ready to breed around 8-9 months old. Other slower lines may not be ready
to breed until they are 12-14 months old. And then there is the question
of your goals and purpose for breeding. If you are showing your goats,
you may want to wait until a doe is a bit older to breed so that you can
get a junior leg on her. If you are milking you may want to breed as soon
as you can so you can milk your young doe quicker. The most important
thing is to be sure that your doe is nearing her mature size. If you look
at your doe and are not sure if you should breed her or not, wait! Wait
until you are comfortable.
I call it the "point of maturity", this is when the doe stops looking
like a baby and begins looking like an adult. It is a bit difficult to
explain but, here are a few of the signs; an increase in width
throughout(especially in the hip area), she usually has begun
participating in the hierarchy of the herd, Basically she has began to
lose the baby behavior and is maturing both behaviorally and physically.
Junior Bucks
Bucks are much different than does, yet the does play a huge role in
when you can use your young buck to breed. Although bucks mature at a
young age, there are several things to consider when using them for the
first time. I have successfully used a young buck @ 5 months old but
never younger. The issues that you run into include but are not limited
to--- The buck not being interested in the does, sometimes the older does
just don't like a young buck, other times the more aggressive does will
beat the poor fellow up, and last but not least, the buck sometimes just
isn't sure what he is suppose to do(imagine that). The best way to
handle this in my opinion is to give the young guy a couple of younger
more timid does to start with and get a breeding or two under his belt.
You are going to want to see what he throws before going all in with him
anyway. You may want to try a older doe that you have a good idea of what
you usually get out of her as a baseline. This gives him the experience
and you an idea of what you are going to get out of him.
Here are a few notes to
consider
- The rule of thumb for standards is 8 months and 80lbs
- The rule of thumb for minis is 8-12 months (point of maturity)
- Males are sexually mature and can impregnate @ 8 wks (yes I said 8
wks)
- Females are sexually mature and can be impregnated around 3 months
(this is the earliest I have ever heard of) however, I would not take any
chances.
This is a situation where you are going to have to use your better
judgement. Every doe is different, everyone's comfort level is different,
you have to be the ultimate judge. |