HI all! I am curious for those of you that have Nigerian Dwarf goats - specifically a buck... what is the oldest you have used a buck to breed and that he was successful?
Since theres no extra strain placed on a buck that he wouldn't alteady be under on his own in order to reproduce, he can go until his fertility or ability to jump goes. I've seen 10 year old bucks being used, but not much older than that. I've also seen 6 years old being stated as the average life span of a buck. I have a five year old now who is still fertile and fine. The answer is literally just as long as they can settle does.
A buck "can be" fertile for life If you are looking for one to keep your herd bred, the strength of fertility can vary with use. 5 does or 25 does Synchronized estrus or field bred varies his use.
I've kept good producing bucks forever.
Had a friend who had sold out all but 2 favs. Both over 10, a buck & doe. Thinking they'd aged out, he pastures them together. They bred. found a kid one morn.
Use him u nti he doesntproduce. We had an older ram that got bad arthritis in his rear end. thught he would not be able to breed but he settled ewes right up till the end. I euthanized him before we moved to Texas because he was so unsteady the vet didn;t thnk he would make the trip. We were brokenhearted because he was a sweet, well behaved ram, and threw awesome lambs.