New to the group

[MiniSilkys]

Yes, we just borrowed a buck from the girl we bought our goats from. Hoping for spring babies, when it isn’t too cold and not very hot yet. We had planned to keep him for three weeks as I’m not quite sure when she goes into heat. As soon as we brought him in the barn they mated three times in the first 5 minutes. Maybe she was in heat already? The next day she had no interest in him. I was going to keep him for the full three weeks just to be sure but somehow no matter how we arrange it they manage to bust open the stall with our wether and doeling in it. She’s only 7 months old so I didn’t want her to get pregnant until May but it might be too late for that. Trying to keep them separated has been very challenging so I might take him back early.

Sometimes you won't realize a doe is in heat until it sees and smells a buck. If she was not receptive she would not have stood for him. If your 7 month old turns out to be pregnant don't worry. As long as she is 3/4ths of her adult size she will be fine. I breed mine around 8 months and my last one was bred at 6 months old. Not on purpose but every thing turned out. Naughty buck. He kept letting my girls out of their pasture. He has a way of doing that.

 

[ScarletBegonias]

Sometimes you won't realize a doe is in heat until it sees and smells a buck. If she was not receptive she would not have stood for him. If your 7 month old turns out to be pregnant don't worry. As long as she is 3/4ths of her adult size she will be fine. I breed mine around 8 months and my last one was bred at 6 months old. Not on purpose but every thing turned out. Naughty buck. He kept letting my girls out of their pasture. He has a way of doing that.

How funny your buck let the girls out. I have no idea how this buck opened our girls stall, there was a huge nail holding it shut. Thank you for easing my mind about our little girl, luckily she is already bigger than her mother. I had been told they shouldn’t get pregnant before a year but I figure nature has it right and she’s already cycled at least twice, her and my weather Made that clear. Good to hear someone with more experience say it’s not a big deal.

 

[MiniSilkys]

That is true for large standard goat breeds. But for Nigerians and Pygmy's the main thing to keep in mind is their size. If they are already at least 70% their adult size then it is ok to let them breed just make sure you time it right for the weather in your area. If they are not big enough their growth could be stunted or they may not be mature enough and will abandon the kid. One of my March doeling's is almost bigger than her dam but is still trying to get milk at 9 months old. lol. Her mother was 7 months when she got bred and was just around her first birthday when she gave birth. I was not there at the birth as she waited till 5 am and when I got out to her stall the doeling was in a corner by itself, partly dry and crying. I had to put a heat lamp out for a little while and made sure she got some milk and that she could find it by herself. If you find my "Mini Sliky's 2018 kidding" thread you will see my doe's and kids. That is if you want.

 

[MiniSilkys]

I finally got my buck's new pen finished. I put my two doe's that I don't think have been bred yet in with him. My 1 3/4 old and her 9 mo. old daughter. So we will see how it goes. As of now I will have a late start for kidding next year.

 

[goatgurl]

welcome to back yard herds and congrats on your new goats, they are so much fun. lots of nice folks on here more than willing to share their experiences and help in any way they can.