Herd Testing

[PattiXmas]

My daughter has 2 Nubian does. Currently they are 6 months old and way too young to breed. I am looking at possibly breeding them next fall, but I want to do this right. What tests do people normally run on their goats to ensure that they are "safe"? What type of precautions do I need to take with our does to make sure they are exposed to any diseases, before, during and after breeding.

Any advise would help - we just want to be ready for things when the time comes and we want our girls safe and healthy .

 

[cmjust0]

Not sure if I understand the question... Are you planning to buy a buck and want to know what he should be tested for? Or are you planning to take the girls somewhere for a breeding, or perhaps borrow/lease a buck to bring in with your herd during breeding season?

 

[helmstead]

Most breeders that offer stud services expect CAE testing, at minimum. Often, you need negative TB, Johnnes, CL, Scrapie and a general statement of good health as well.

You should expect the same prudence from the buck owner also.

Generally no goat under 6 mos is tested (it's just not accurate), so you're just at the age to start, altho I would wait until closer to breeding time.

 

[ksalvagno]

I heard that the goats should be 2 years old before CL and Johnnes are accurate tests. Is this true? I want to test my goats as well when they are 6 months old.

 

[PattiXmas]

Most breeders that offer stud services expect CAE testing, at minimum. Often, you need negative TB, Johnnes, CL, Scrapie and a general statement of good health as well.

You should expect the same prudence from the buck owner also.

Generally no goat under 6 mos is tested (it's just not accurate), so you're just at the age to start, altho I would wait until closer to breeding time.

Thanks . Now I just need to see if my vet does these tests or if I will have to go to Michigan State University for these. We don't plan on breeding the girls until next fall, but I like to have things in order and a plan. We are attempting to go at this to improve upon the Nubians, not to breed any bad qualities into the breed.

 

[PattiXmas]

Not sure if I understand the question... Are you planning to buy a buck and want to know what he should be tested for? Or are you planning to take the girls somewhere for a breeding, or perhaps borrow/lease a buck to bring in with your herd during breeding season?

Planning on taking the girls somewhere. Hubby says no bucks - he's not fond of their hygiene

 

[cmjust0]

Yeah, me either...but we keep bucks anyway.

Might not be a bad idea to start getting yourself lined up for next fall's breeding pretty soon.. Dunno how it is in your area, but around here, folks willing to do outbreedings on dairy goats are few and far between... There happens to be a lot of goat disease around here like CL, due mostly to the 'churn' in the countless meat goat herds. Goats are coming and going all the time, carrying who knows what both ways.

For instance...I'd FREAK OUT if ever I saw a CL knot come up on one of my goats, whereas a lot of the meat breeders around here might just put it in a back lot until it pops and scabs over, then send it on to the sale barn to be the next guy or gal's problem.

 

[trestlecreek]

I would test for CL, Johne's and CAE.
I would expect that any buck you would have your service from would be over 2 years old and should test appropriately.
You can start your testing now and repeat every 6 months until they are 2.

 

[()relics]

For instance...I'd FREAK OUT if ever I saw a CL knot come up on one of my goats, whereas a lot of the meat breeders around here might just put it in a back lot until it pops and scabs over, then send it on to the sale barn to be the next guy or gal's problem.

apparently your state doesn't enforce the Premise ID laws...Try that here and an animal comes up "dirty", They trace the animal back to your farm and You are shut down...anytime you move any animal it is supposed to be identified with your premise ID...at least here.

 

[bheila]

I heard that the goats should be 2 years old before CL and Johnnes are accurate tests. Is this true? I want to test my goats as well when they are 6 months old.

With my tons of research I've had to do this last week because I had a doe test positive for Johne's, the recommended age is 18 months and older for the tests to be more accurate. There is so much about Johne's I didn't know