(In)Breeding Question

[goatboy1973]

I am going to breed my herdsire to all his daughters (both commercial and pure). This is a quick way to get a 3/4 blooded group of commercial kids without buying another herdsire and in a sense, stretching your herdsire's use as far as you can. Once I breed my herdsire to his daughters, I will find another herdsire. My herdsire has been a very fertile, hearty, and fast growing goat so breeding him to his daughters might, might lock in these good traits, but like others have said, there may be some bad genetics surface as well. It can be the roll of the dice when you are dealing with genetics. If it were me, I would consider buying a good herdsire and then when you are finished with his services, either sell him or castrate him and sell him as a pet or a pack goat to people that hike. Nubians are an athletic goat and can be used to carry up to a certain percentage of their body weight.

 

[Meaghan]

As we will likely be bringing in more kids from other lines next year, we won't run out of use from the buck we buy this year.

I have not seen any reputable (ADGA registered and of good producing lines) full grown bucks go for less than $500-600 around here, either, which as I previously mentioned just isn't affordable at this point when a buck kid is $200-250 and we have our other expenses to consider.

 

[Fullhousefarm]

You're in Archer?

If you're willing to drive 2 hours I can recommend several breeders to you for bucklings. Are you on Facebook?

 

[Southern by choice]

I just wish I could find a buckling for that!

 

[Fullhousefarm]

Just gotta know the right people....

 

[Meaghan]

@Fullhousefarm: I am, but I don't know how to message you on my cell phone, my computer internet is satellite internet so it doesn't like the server. That's why I haven't been as active compared to before I moved out here, and my cell phone internet is limited. If you message me a link to your Facebook I think I can get it from my computer.

I'm not opposed to going a few hours for a buckling, but the other breeder I considered near Orlando was selling their buck kids from anywhere in the $350-500 range. That, and the breeder we are buying from is quite literally 10 minutes from our house!

@Southern by choice: You'd probably hate how much (rather, little) we paid for the girls. She sells does for $300 a piece normally, but since we bought 4 we only paid $1000.

 

[OneFineAcre]

As we will likely be bringing in more kids from other lines next year, we won't run out of use from the buck we buy this year.

I have not seen any reputable (ADGA registered and of good producing lines) full grown bucks go for less than $500-600 around here, either, which as I previously mentioned just isn't affordable at this point when a buck kid is $200-250 and we have our other expenses to consider.

Sometimes you have to do, what you have to do. $5-600 for a good proven buck is cheap. I've know people who have paid 3 times that for a buck kid.
I sold a 3 month old Nigerian buck for $750 last year from a champion doe, but I'm a long way from having a big farm name or reputation.
They sell for $Thousands.
You might just have to get an interim buck to freshen your does, and get your dream buck later.

 

[babsbag]

@OneFineAcre has a good point; you might think about waiting on that perfect buck. I personally wouldn't put a lot of money into a buck until you find out if your ladies are worthy of that kind of courtship. It will be much easier to sell high quality kids if your does are proven and you can show them, milk them, and sell their kids as family milkers no matter what you breed to while you are working on their champion status.

 

[Meaghan]

@OneFineAcre: That's sort of my point. We cannot afford a full grown proven buck as was suggested. In the mean time, we can afford to take a chance on a buck kid from the local breeder. None of her does have gotten more than one grand championship, but she doesn't show except at a local level.

We aren't going to get our dream buck at this point, or any full grown bucks even. That's why I said we can't afford even the cheapest full grown proven buck as it's 2-3x the cost of a buck kid. More risk with the kid, of course, but we simply do not have the extra money to spend.

@babsbag: We likely won't be showing them enough to get a champion status anytime soon. I'll be lucky to be able to participate in 2-3 shows this year, if any at all.

Since Nathan works full time plus 12-16 hours overtime every week, and I am a full time Masters student at the local university as well as working part time, and on top of the goats we have 16 indoor pets, chickens, and a guard llama for the girls coming next week... We are a bit busy!

Although showing is a dream goal, it would also be somewhat pointless to us to be established here in Florida. We are only here so that I can (hopefully) attend veterinary school after I finish my Masters degree. After that, we will be moving either back to the West Coast (near Portland), or to the Midwest (Indiana/Illinois area).

Don't get me wrong, I love Florida's weather, but I do miss the winter snow a tiny bit.

 

[babsbag]

Miss the winter snow...talk to some of those poor people who are buried 10' under right now. Have you ever taken care of livestock in the snow? That would make me stop farming for sure. I live in sunny, we don't have any water, California and I love our weather. No midwest life for me, no snow and no humidity.

My mom and sister live in Lebanon OR. It is beautiful in the summer, my goats would love it. I am not too fond of the damp cold days of winter though. I really am a CA girl through and through.

Be sure and let us know what the breeder says about the breeding. I am really curious. I bred a doe back to her sire this year and her doelings are beautiful. I don't show either, opening a dairy instead