Hens and Roos
Herd Master
So when does your kidding season start?
Goat Whisperer's & SBC's kidding thread: kidding storm
- Thread starter Goat Whisperer
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #362
Goat Whisperer
Herd Master
The first 2 does could kid as early as February 18 
We are a bit late this year.
We are a bit late this year.
Hens and Roos
Herd Master
The first 2 does could kid as early as February 18
We are a bit late this year.
Hope you have nice weather for kidding- Feb is way to cold for us!
- Thread starter
- #364
Goat Whisperer
Herd Master
It's going to be cold, but not like the cold you deal with!
Last year we had 4 does kid within 24 hours of each other. This was January 18/19 and had 12 kids born, right after that @babsbag flew in from CA and we had snow/ice. Fun times
Last year we had 4 does kid within 24 hours of each other. This was January 18/19 and had 12 kids born, right after that @babsbag flew in from CA and we had snow/ice. Fun times
NH homesteader
Herd Master
Yikes I won't even think about breeding until November. Too darn cold here!
So silly question but why do people in your area breed so early? Is it because of milking schedules, showing schedules, butcher dates? Doesn't affect me, I go with the (way too cold) weather. I'm just curious!
So silly question but why do people in your area breed so early? Is it because of milking schedules, showing schedules, butcher dates? Doesn't affect me, I go with the (way too cold) weather. I'm just curious!
Southern by choice
Herd Master
We have kidded at all times of year. I like January the best.
Because it is cold and winter and we pull the kids to bottle feed everything is pretty stable. We also are not dealing with the kids growing during prime parasite time which can be very problematic in the spring in NC. Also very little issue with any cocci development. I think they grow better.
I think many here in NC breed for March kids. One because there is a big show at the end of May and this gives about 2 months for recuperation and nice fresh udders. Also because of heading into warmer weather.
Personally I DON'T like March babies. Here is why... the weather is very cold in March still. When we get snow or ice storms they are usually at the end of March. Then over the next few weeks into April the weather is way to up and down. It could be 80 degrees and days later frost warnings again. Night temps plummet. Not the best for newborn kids. I really think that is why so many end up with pneumonia, and then add the spring issues with parasites and cocci. Nah.
Unfortunately many of ours will be kidding in March/April this year.
VERY NOT HAPPY about this. But we were delayed for various reasons and the later does being bred are being bred after the NC State Fair. It will be our first show and just in case I don't want to risk a doe being bred and getting shipping fever or some other issue and be pregnant.
Next year all will be bred for January kids.
Because it is cold and winter and we pull the kids to bottle feed everything is pretty stable. We also are not dealing with the kids growing during prime parasite time which can be very problematic in the spring in NC. Also very little issue with any cocci development. I think they grow better.
I think many here in NC breed for March kids. One because there is a big show at the end of May and this gives about 2 months for recuperation and nice fresh udders. Also because of heading into warmer weather.
Personally I DON'T like March babies. Here is why... the weather is very cold in March still. When we get snow or ice storms they are usually at the end of March. Then over the next few weeks into April the weather is way to up and down. It could be 80 degrees and days later frost warnings again. Night temps plummet. Not the best for newborn kids. I really think that is why so many end up with pneumonia, and then add the spring issues with parasites and cocci. Nah.
Unfortunately many of ours will be kidding in March/April this year.
VERY NOT HAPPY about this. But we were delayed for various reasons and the later does being bred are being bred after the NC State Fair. It will be our first show and just in case I don't want to risk a doe being bred and getting shipping fever or some other issue and be pregnant.
Next year all will be bred for January kids.
NH homesteader
Herd Master
Makes sense. Until I have a heated barn (ha! Right!) it'll be April for me! March is way too cold here even.
Southern by choice
Herd Master
MoClone (Kiko doe) was bred to Beast(NZ-Kiko) yesterday! He is young but he did good.
We brought her up and pen bred them. Dogs didn't like us taking their buck away!
Day 150 March 1st!
She is about 125-130 lbs He needs weighed! LOL
We brought her up and pen bred them. Dogs didn't like us taking their buck away!
Day 150 March 1st!
She is about 125-130 lbs He needs weighed! LOL
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Southern by choice
Herd Master
I just had to add a pic of Moses! I 
him!
I love his horns!
I love his smile!
Such a wonderful goat!
@TAH I know you like Kikos!
him!I love his horns!
I love his smile!
Such a wonderful goat!
@TAH I know you like Kikos!
babsbag
Herd Master
I like Jan kids too, but I don't like kidding in Jan. I think the kids do better when its colder. This year will be March-April as I need the dairy done first but I really wish it was earlier. I had a few this last year born in June and they did ok, but way to small now to breed for March kids so they will stay dry for a year; which I hate.
But with the dairy I may drag my kidding season out FOREVER so I can have does in milk for most of the year. Then there is the big part of me that says the I need the time off in the winter too. I don't have to get rich doing this, I don't even have to pay the bills doing this, it only has to pay for itself so why push it? Right?
Now goats bred here yet, but need to get to that this month.
I think the kids do better when its colder. This year will be March-April as I need the dairy done first but I really wish it was earlier. I had a few this last year born in June and they did ok, but way to small now to breed for March kids so they will stay dry for a year; which I hate. But with the dairy I may drag my kidding season out FOREVER so I can have does in milk for most of the year. Then there is the big part of me that says the I need the time off in the winter too. I don't have to get rich doing this, I don't even have to pay the bills doing this, it only has to pay for itself so why push it? Right?
Now goats bred here yet, but need to get to that this month.
