Stud service or own a buck?

[newbiekat]

I have had my buck since May of last year (good deal, great buck, got the job done). He's been running with them and I haven't seen much of a problem with it. My girls are starting to kid now, and I'm worried about having them bred back when they get back out with the herd. So I'm considering selling him. Now I'm worried about not finding another good registered Nubian buck in time for next breeding season. DH suggested trying a stud service this Fall and not owning one... What are your opinions?

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

I'd make him his own separate pen and keep him, just my opinion.

 

[that's*satyrical]

I'd make him his own separate pen and keep him, just my opinion.

Or trade him for another nice buck after making a separate pen so you will have one unrelated to whatever doelings you keep (if you are going to keep any). I think it's much easier to have a buck on hand than try to schedule breeding services.

 

[michickenwrangler]

Unless you can find a buck with about an hour from you, it's much easier to have one on hand. I bred 3 different ways this fall

--Borrow neighbor's buck
Pro: neighbor was able to bring him over about 20 minutes after I noticed a doe was in heat. His owner was right next door in case their were any issues.
Con: There were issues; he ended up with a broken horn and almost bleeding to death and one of my does had a broken leg and had to be put down

--Stud service from our 4-H leader's ennobled Boer buck
Pro: Experienced buck and breeder, only about an hour away, kept the does for a few days
Con: Had to bring does over at a certain time and pick them up at a certain time. I did interrupt the buck owner's hunting time so he could get my does settled

--Got some cheap part bucks as part of a meat package deal, decided to keep 2
Pro: I got to know the bucks personalities and traits to complement my does and I learned to manage them. I can grab a buck as soon as I notice a doe in heat (I have a small separate breeding pen) and leave them together for as long as I need to. I have 2 bucks, plus I have outside sires so I will have a lot of genetic diversity
Con: Eventually these boys will have to move on once the herd is inbred more than I want to

Some goat owners have closed herds, meaning even if you find the buck you want nearby, they may not breed to outside does. There is always a risk of disease exposing your does to strange goats.

However, you may be able to find a quality buck from people that show and can tell you about the buck's bloodlines and relatives that would "breed up" your herd and improve your own bloodlines.

ADGA's membership book has a list of members, what goats they own and if they stand any breeds at stud. Looking through that would find you a better stud than looking on Craigslist and finding someone with "a buck" where the breed is spelled wrong, and "breed" is often spelled wrong too.

"Need to bread your doe? My Nubean buck is standing at stud. $10 or best offer!" (accompanied by blurry picture of some goat with airplane ears, weird scurs and wacky conformation)

 

[Shelly May]

I'd make him his own separate pen and keep him, just my opinion. X2

 

[pdpo222]

Personally I'd keep him. He's half your herd. I'm looking for another buck to keep too. Bucks are fine with me. This way I will have two and can breed each others kids. I don't know of any other pygmy buck in the area and don't want to cart my does to a breeder. You only know what the breeder tells you. This way, mine never leave my property, don't have to worry about them "catching" and bringing it home with them. But then I had 3 bucks before I had any does. Love those bucks. But it may not be for you. I'll build seperate pens for them, divide a pasture for them, just for the convience of having them when I need them. No appointments, no misses, just the way I am doing it.

 

[OneFineAcre]

You're right on in that it is time to seperate him.

When we bought our first buck, we let him run with the girls until the first kids came, then built him a pen.

Wethered one of his first sons, and put him in with his daddy when he was 4 months old as a companion.

The reason we bought the buck, because trying to rent is such a hassle.

Some people rent bucks, but it seemed like a hassle to me.

 

[Mamaboid]

We have 4 bucks, and I have to watch myself, cause I tend to want to get/keep more. I like my bucks personalities better than most of my does. If at all feasible, I would definitely go for keeping buck of your own.

 

[OneFineAcre]

you know how I sell bucks?

Look on Craigs List for someone wanting to rent one.

 

[Pearce Pastures]

You're right on in that it is time to seperate him.

When we bought our first buck, we let him run with the girls until the first kids came, then built him a pen.

Wethered one of his first sons, and put him in with his daddy when he was 4 months old as a companion.

The reason we bought the buck, because trying to rent is such a hassle.

Some people rent bucks, but it seemed like a hassle to me.

x2

Separate him but keep him. Get him a wethered buddy and only run him with the does when you are ready to breed the does again.