Breeding for Color Question

[Squirrelgirl88]

From what I have read, Nigerian Dwarf Goats have such various colors and patterns, it really is not possible to predict color of offspring. Is this a correct statement? While certain people are breeding for spots, I prefer solids, and am wondering if it really matter what the buck looks like. For example, one of my does is buck skin, one is black with white spots. The dam was solid chocolate and the sire was mostly black.

Is it all really just up to mother nature?

 

[Livinwright Farm]

From what I have read, Nigerian Dwarf Goats have such various colors and patterns, it really is not possible to predict color of offspring. Is this a correct statement? While certain people are breeding for spots, I prefer solids, and am wondering if it really matter what the buck looks like. For example, one of my does is buck skin, one is black with white spots. The dam was solid chocolate and the sire was mostly black.

Is it all really just up to mother nature?

Typically it is the buck that determines wht the offspring look like. This guy , for example, has proven to throw Buckskin kids. My buck, Marly , has proven to throw chamoise/chamoisee kids like Olivia
I have been doing quite a bit of research on this subject myself.

I will let you know how much of what I have read actually holds true. One of the things I read, says that if you breed one white with black spots/markings goat to another white with black spots/markings goat, then you will either get primarily black with some white spots/markings or you will get solid black, or you will have a litter with one or two solid black and one or two black with some white spots/markings.
I will be finding out in December if this is acurate or not, as I bred the pair, pictured below , to find out if this is true or not.

 

[Squirrelgirl88]

So if these are my girls.......

What if I breed them to this little guy? Any guesses?

He's got some freckles!

 

[that's*satyrical]

Well, solid might be a long shot with that combo but like you said with Nigies you never know...

 

[Squirrelgirl88]

Wow - your Olivia is BEAUTIFUL. And I'm dying to see the kids from the pair in your picture. I love their markings too. It's not that I'm against spots, I just like a solid or an even pattern better. For example, I could never own a dalmation. I may have a little undiagnosed issue with patterns and balance/evenness.

 

[that's*satyrical]

I gotcha, I prefer a pattern that is more pleasing to the eye than too busy myself... My buck clinton is mostly white with a few small gold spots but out of 13 babies with different dams most of them were mostly gold with a little cream. Even with Enya who is mostly black he had 3 gold babies out of 4 (they all had a touch of cream on thier sides & some had frosting) Then he had a tri-color with her that was much lighter than her with a pretty pattern, not too busy & blue eyes. It's so neat I think that you don't know what to expect. It's like opening a present on Christmas morning when you're a kid!!

Sample kid:

http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=13847

link to pics of mom & dad

 

[Squirrelgirl88]

OOOOOOO - your goats are very pretty too! I love the gold color! She reminds me of those caramel candies with the cream in the middle. I just love the solids. But I guess if I loved spots I'd be fighting Rolls and Red Tail Gal for spotted babies.

 

[that's*satyrical]

thanks I have to say I would love to get one of those caramel cream babies with the blue eyes. I think that would be gorgeous!! If you look close in that pic you can see the twin behind momma with the same coloring.

 

[Livinwright Farm]

So if these are my girls.......

http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/uploads/3869_p5290504.jpg

http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/uploads/3869_p5290505.jpg

What if I breed them to this little guy? Any guesses?

http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/uploads/3869_p8310555.jpg

He's got some freckles!

Okay, so for breeding that male to the top female, your odds of getting solid buckskin or buckskin with a small white star here and there will be quite high.
With the second female, your odds of getting solid black or black/chocolate kids would be higher if you bred her to another black or black/chocolate.
Paired with that male, you stand the chance of getting buckskin w/ white spots, doberman coloration(cant recall the terminology), or you might even get chocolate brown to a nice mohagany with white, black, or both markings.

 

[Squirrelgirl88]

Okay, so for breeding that male to the top female, your odds of getting solid buckskin or buckskin with a small white star here and there will be quite high.
With the second female, your odds of getting solid black or black/chocolate kids would be higher if you bred her to another black or black/chocolate.
Paired with that male, you stand the chance of getting buckskin w/ white spots, doberman coloration(cant recall the terminology), or you might even get chocolate brown to a nice mohagany with white, black, or both markings.

So if I breed him to my black doe I'll get anything BUT solid white! The only guarantee with this buck is four legs and two ears!

I can't afford to purchase a buck this year, so this little spotted fellow will be used. Next year I may be able to purchase a herd sire of my own.

Thanks Livinwright.