about offering breeding services?

[AdrieeC]

I got my own bucks because I figured it would be cheaper and easier in the long run than trying to detect heat and rush girls off to a date unknown number of miles away for a chance at getting pregnant. As far as I have found there is no one that offers breeding services in my area, and DH would like to offer them. My bucks are currently 3 month old registered Nigerian Dwarfs. Can they be tested for diseases prior to breeding to my does once I get them, and if so, how old should the bucks be before I offer the services. Also, what is a reasonable charge? And can you link me an example of a good policy/contract for such a service?


eather way, am enjoying my stinkers...even though they stink...

 

[ksalvagno]

I would be careful about offering breeding services. Because you could bring home (if you take the buck there) or bring onto your farm diseases that you wouldn't want. That is why most people don't offer breeding services. You would have to worry about CAE, CL and Johnes. In dairy goats, those are taboo.

I have no idea what people charge for breeding services because so many people around here don't offer it. That is why I got my own bucks as well.

 

[4hmama]

You can do blood testing for CAE, CL, Johne's and more. Many of these diseases can transmitted goat to goat, and if someone would have a positive in their herd, you do not want to deal with that. IF you choose to offer stud service, I would ONLY do it if the does that you are breeding are tested. Something else that I read suggested doing 'driveway' breedings. The people with the does bring them over and you bring your buck to the doe in a place away from the rest of your herd. That area is for 'breeding only'' and your goats don't have access to that area - just in case.... Don't let people say 'oh yeah, I have tested'....if they truely have tested, they will have the paperwork to back it up. I hate to feel so suspicious about things, but I've heard a lot of people say that they buy from 'tested' herds, only to find out that they have a goat that tests positive for something.

 

[glenolam]

In our area some people do offer stud services and the fee varies. One person charges $35 for "driveway" service (or 2 does for $60) and another charges $50 to let the doe stay for a few days - both ask that you test your does.

 

[patandchickens]

The few people around here that offer sheep or goat stud service seem to only do it for people who have ONLY got sheep/goats bought FROM THEM SPECIFICALLY, no other sheep/goats on the farm.

Note that blood testing for <all them things> is a bit expensive, and for Johnes at least it is not especially reliable.

Pat