Goat Conformation/Breeding Education

[Ariel301]

FWIW, though....show quality doesn't always equal milkability.

A hocky doe can milk like a cow, and a beautiful show doe might not....so it also depends on what your goals are.
There are good does w/ wonderful confirmation who milk well, but it's a lot easier to find an ugly doe who milks well or a pretty one who doesn't.

Absolutely. I've got an ugly mutt doe that milks like a champion, and the best bloodlined doe in my herd conformation-wise will only give me a cup of milk a day as a first freshener. And those who are both beautifully built and great milkers...most of us probably can't afford to buy! lol For me, conformation must be functional at least, but personality and production are what counts, as I mostly sell doelings as backyard milkers. However, I still breed the best stock I can breed, because a good goat and an inferior goat eat the same, so keep the best you can and work on improving what you've got so that someday you will have some great animals.

 

[BetterHensandGardens]

You can purchase the Judge's Training Manual from NDGA. That gives you everything you ever wanted to know and more.

Thanks Karen, I'll be getting that Judge's Training Manual - I want to at least know what I'm shooting for!

 

[BetterHensandGardens]

So here are some pictures of Bit-O-Honey (I'm not very good at getting their pictures in the proper stance yet), I think she's got better conformation of the two I got, but they grew up together so I got both of them. It looks like Honey has blue eyes but she doesn't.

And here's a pic of them both from the backside

Since I'm completely new at this, what are the good and bad things about Honey, and what would I look for when breeding her? I still need to get pictures of Tinkerbell for comparison - but I thought Honey's pictures could provide a start. Also, you won't hurt my feelings, I just want to learn - and thanks for any input you can provide.

 

[cmjust0]

I'm digging her... She looks good to me...can't find much to pick on, really.. Can't see much of the other one, obviously, but I like how she's naturally rockin' the "invisible giant udder" stance.

 

[BetterHensandGardens]

I'm digging her... She looks good to me...can't find much to pick on, really.. Can't see much of the other one, obviously, but I like how she's naturally rockin' the "invisible giant udder" stance.

I Just hope that "invisible giant udder" becomes visible someday. Thanks for the input.

 

[Roll farms]

Try running your hand slowly up her back, starting at the tail and going toward the head, putting pressure w/ a couple fingers along her spine. You can usually find the 'sweet spot' that will make them square up / pose like you want. You may have to 'dig in' and wiggle here and there to find it. Wish I knew a better way to explain it but...that's how I do it.

I don't know anything about Nigis so I won't even offer an opinion, because I'm not educated enough about them to have one.

 

[helmstead]

She looks nice. I like her smoothness of blending and overall character. On the rear view, your white doe looks to have better length of neck and spring of rib, while the brown doe has better width over the rump.

Here is our girl Pigeon at 6 months old - she swept her age class and won GCH a few days later. I suspect yours are near the same age? Well...here's a good comparison.
http://helmsteadstables.com/Pigeon.htm

 

[Ariel301]

Good looking little girls! I can't see anything really to complain about on them.

 

[BetterHensandGardens]

Try running your hand slowly up her back, starting at the tail and going toward the head, putting pressure w/ a couple fingers along her spine. You can usually find the 'sweet spot' that will make them square up / pose like you want. You may have to 'dig in' and wiggle here and there to find it. Wish I knew a better way to explain it but...that's how I do it.

I don't know anything about Nigis so I won't even offer an opinion, because I'm not educated enough about them to have one.

Thanks, I didn't know that - now maybe I can get a decent pose and pics!

 

[BetterHensandGardens]

Here is our girl Pigeon at 6 months old - she swept her age class and won GCH a few days later. I suspect yours are near the same age? Well...here's a good comparison.
http://helmsteadstables.com/Pigeon.htm

Wow, she's beautiful. I'm just learning but it's easy to see why she won. Mine are about a month younger, but that's a great comparison for me.