Selling Siblings

[DesertDawn]

We have had our first freshening, as well as, our goat's first freshening, lol! She had triplets, 1 doeling and 2 bucklings. We have a buyer for all 3 but it appears they have changed their minds on castrating both bucklings and only want one castrated. Obviously their intent is to breed brother and sister. I'm not in favor of this at all. For meat goats I could see this but these are Nigerian Dwarfs. I realize my farm, my rules but would like to know what others do and how you feel about this sort of thing. Am I making a big deal of this or would you put restrictions on the sale of siblings? TIA.

 

[Southern by choice]

Absolutely we put restrictions on our goats for sale. I think what you are doing is responsible.
Typically, not saying all do this but the longer you are in goats the more you learn... experienced breeders wether all bucks out of FF. It is a very common practice. Because you have nothing to go on as far as what that buck will produce in the future.
Breeding brother/sister is a bad idea and even in the meat goat world really most don't do that.

It sounds like you have integrity and care about what happens to your goats.
If this is their plan I can only imagine they would also keep all 3 together and she will be bred at 2-3 months.
Now, if they have other goats and other does they may want an intact buck for their other goats to service.

It is a simple no, both bucklings are being wethered.

 

[DesertDawn]

From what I know, these are their first goats so part of my job is to educate them. I'm sure they know not what they ask but I just wanted to make sure what other breeders are doing as a general rule. I do care about my goats and I have plenty of time to rehome them, if necessary, as they're only 3 weeks today. I'm glad this is frowned upon by most. It's reassuring.

 

[OneFineAcre]

I don't know if they plan to breed the brother and sister or not
But you shouldn't sell them the buck intact regardless of their plan
Just tell them no the males are not for sale as bucks

 

[DesertDawn]

Yeah, I hadn't planned on selling them as bucks for reasons I have not stated but since we're talking about it. I can't register these babies because I rescued the goat. I know the breeder of the goat and this goat is registered (which is why I rescued her) but the people that owned her before I bought her had her in with 2 bucks, supposedly Nigerians but not registered and nobody knows who the daddy is. So these are pet quality goats. I wasn't thrilled when I discovered she was pregnant because she gave birth a month before her 1st birthday. Nonetheless, she did well, she's a good mama, she's keeping up with the milk demand of her triplets and this was a good trial run for us. Learning how to disbud and soon castrating, etc. I just had an ideal in my head that they are pet quality and while I understand the doe will probably get bred when she's old enough, not to her brother for Pete's sake. And that brings up another issue for me. If someone is totally okay with breeding brother and sister, are these really folks that I want to sell my animals to?

 

[Latestarter]

Some folks breed willy nilly and it doesn't matter to them. This is NOT good for the breed, especially if you're goal is quality animals. Many folks do line breeding to carry down wanted traits and this is an acceptable practice up to a point. Not something you want to do repeatedly over many generations. From my understanding, either parent to child is better than siblings. Although if you are breeding terminal animals (for butcher) it makes little difference regardless. If you don't sell them the ability to breed siblings, then it's nothing you need to worry about regarding the animals you sell them. You always have the choice to sell or not to sell.

 

[DesertDawn]

Agree 100% Latestarter. My goal is quality animals and I am not desperate to sell these babies either. They are only 3 weeks, I have lots of time. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't being too protective since this is my first batch of kids. I purposefully purchased registered animals and I do intend on improving my herd.

 

[DesertDawn]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Your guidance has been very helpful and is much appreciated. I am now empowered to stay firm on my original intentions.

 

[Baymule]

Good for you!

 

[Silky ma]

Im setting up my first small herd of goats next year and would never! Think it would be ok to mate siblings!!
Yes i will end up eating a few but i would think if you cared about your animals you would want healthy animals!
I dont let my roosters mate with their offspring!!