AI and Nigerian Dwarfs?

[OneFineAcre]

The OP was asking about AI for Nigerians.

Is their much semen available for ND's?

I don't think AI is prevelant in ND's.

Probably will be soon though, since a ND buck sold for $25K at last ADGA convention.

 

[littlelambx3]

I apologize if I offended anyone or made anyone uncomfortable. It was certainty not my intention and I won't use a harsh word like that again. I respect everyone's view on the subject, nor do I think my view is the "right" way or the answer. Again, sorry if I made anyone upset with my response.

 

[WannaBeFarmR]

To be honest I'm not crazy about AI either. I live in an area where owning a buck would cause problems for me. So my only option would be to travel when my does were in heat and I can't drive...try convincing a friend to drive half way across the state with a love sick goat at a hats drop, let me know how that goes, lol. Because no one has quality ND bucks around here and the only ND bucks I have located have unknown health or have been tested but the owner doesn't ask if the does being bred are clean or tested. Given the above situations AI seemed like something that might be a solution since I would only have to buy the reasonable equipment, if I had to buy the tank and maintain it I would not even be considering it. Natural breeding would be much easier but life is rarely easy it seems. I'm not even sure I will breed my does, I was just trying to learn a little about something that could be a possibility. Thanks everyone who offered info and input, I appreciate it.

 

[pitchfork]

Sylverfly I think it would be a great idea even if you own only a couple of does. I wish I knew of a vet or AI tech in the Tulsa area that did a lot of goat AI, because I would use AI. To me it just makes sense. I don't want to own a buck and I don't like the idea of taking a doe to another farm, or bringing a buck home to my place. Even if it is expensive, I think it would be easier to sell kids from a nationally recognized buck than not, and you could retain does that would improve your herd etc. You get all of the benefit of what others have done to improve the breed and that may cost a little, but it sure works in cattle and horses. I have a gelding now from a world champion stud and it was worth the cost of the shipped semen and vet calls etc.
Just my opinion.

 

[that's*satyrical]

I've seen people selling semen straws for nigerians they are usually 20-25 bucks a straw unless the buck is incredibly awesome they might be more. Of course obviously it is always from really nice bucks. You need a tank to even transport it though so start up cost would be pretty high. If you don't have many goats or know someone who owns a tank it wouldn't be a feasible option for a small herd.

 

[babsbag]

The thing is it may take 7 or 8 straws to get your doe to settle. I wish it were only one. In the long run it is probably cheaper to do AI, but when you consider all the equipment it takes and the skills it might not be practical unless you are looking for a specific genetics.

 

[that's*satyrical]

I have been doing AI for a few years but around here it's mostly Boer goats. If someone wanted me to do a ND I wouldn't hesitate to do it. We have 2 different sized speculums. The smaller of them would easily fit in a ND.

Donna

Just curious with you being experienced what is the average number of straws you need before you get a doe to settle?

 

[OneFineAcre]

The thing is it may take 7 or 8 straws to get your doe to settle. I wish it were only one. In the long run it is probably cheaper to do AI, but when you consider all the equipment it takes and the skills it might not be practical unless you are looking for a specific genetics.

7 or 8 straws? Wow. Doesn't seem like it would be practical at all, unless like you said you were looking specific genetics.

 

[Renegade]

The thing is it may take 7 or 8 straws to get your doe to settle. I wish it were only one. In the long run it is probably cheaper to do AI, but when you consider all the equipment it takes and the skills it might not be practical unless you are looking for a specific genetics.

This is totally untrue. It makes me mad when people that don't know anything about a subject make these kinds of statements. It would take a really bad tech for the above to happen.

I have been doing AI for a few years but around here it's mostly Boer goats. If someone wanted me to do a ND I wouldn't hesitate to do it. We have 2 different sized speculums. The smaller of them would easily fit in a ND.

Donna

Just curious with you being experienced what is the average number of straws you need before you get a doe to settle?

We have a little over a 70% pregnancy rate with one straw. We sometimes have to do a doe a second time. The only time you would use more then one straw is when you super ovulate a doe to flush embryos. You would then need to use 3 straws over a certain time period in order to fertilize a large number of eggs.

Donna

 

[michickenwrangler]

The 4-H leader said that timing is critical with AI and said that he's done the does at 3am before. He has a vasectomy buck to help detect the onset of estrus. He's also retired and can spend all day watching goats if needed.