, Firsttime breeding questions, borrowing a buck, Nigerian Dwarf goats

[feathernfiber]

My doe is a year and a half old and has not yet ever come into season, which my breeder says isn't abnormal. She thinks she won't come into season without smelling a buck. NDs aren't seasonal breeders, so a heat can be induced any time.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

The occasional doe is very sneaky about her heat cycles. And, forgive me for disagreeing, but it is abnormal for a ND doe to never have cycled by 18 months of age. My guess is that she is just shy - and if so - that can be a blessing in disguise, lol. Some does are so loud and vocal that they can drive you crazy when they are in season.


You are absolutely right that ND are NOT seasonal breedings which means that she should be cycling regulary. These doelings may, and usually do, start cycling at 8-12 weeks of age. So, unless she is a free-martin or otherwise exceptionally unhealthy (and I don't think she is!), she should be cycling. Was she by chance a triplet born with two brothers?

I've been breeding goats for about 25 years and I had a free-martin born at my place about 15 years ago. She was a triplet and had two brothers. She was a beautiful doe and placed exceptionally well in the show ring but never, ever showed a cycle even though she lived with a buck full-time.

Good luck!

 

[OneFineAcre]

I have not been doing this 25 years like frustratedearthmother, but we are in our 5th. We've successfully bred 30 kids now.

And I raise Nigerians, so I am very familiar with them.

And, we are in the process of breeding our does now.

I more than disagree with the breeders statement that it is "normal" for them to not come in to heat before 18 months. I've got a couple of 5 month old does in raging heat now.

I also agree with frustratedearthmother about some does being "sneaky" as far as heat cycles. We have a black doe who it is very hard to detect heat, but others who are lighter color and they get all pink and swolen. Some, seem to be in heat for a very short time like 12 hours, where others you can see indication for 2-3 days. The black doe I mention is one who has a very short cycle. We've never seen her bred before, it has always been at night.

I also agree with frustratedearthmother, that no buck rag or buck scent is required to bring a doe into heat. But, putting them with a rutting buck can bring them in.

Hope she isn't a Freemarten. I don't think that is common, but certainly possible