When do I actually start counting when I breed a doe?

[goat lady]

I have a buck at my place to breed two of my does. Both have been breed before and one is 2 years old and the other is 3 years old. So they are experience; it is just me. All my does were breed when I got them, so this part is new to me. We have noticed the buck monting our one doe this afternoon. Tonight she is a little pink back there and goo also. So from what I have read on here in other posts I am assuming the job was completed. Would I be smart to count down from today to figure out when she should kid? I am leaving him in with her and my other doe cause I have not seen him have any interest in the other doe yet, and I know that they usually only go in heat every 3-4 weeks. I also have a friend's doe here also to breed. So this guy is a busy fellow. Thanks.

 

[ksalvagno]

I would count from the first day the buck bred the doe.

 

[goat lady]

You mean from the first time I saw him mount her?

 

[lilhill]

He can mount her, but not breed her. You count from the date she was actually bred. If she's in standing heat and not running while he mounts her, then I'd use that date.

 

[goat lady]

Not to sound gross, but she was standing there when the buck mounted her. She did not move for a couple of minutes. So is that standing heat?

 

[lilhill]

Generally, if a doe runs like you've poured scalding water on her when you put her with a buck, then she's not in standing heat. If she will stand and allow him to mount her, then she is.

When the buck mounted her, did he thrust and did the doe hunch up? If so, then yes, he bred her. I want to see the buck cover the doe (breed her) three times and then I'll remove him and wait to see if she settled. If she comes back in heat, then we repeat the process.

 

[goat lady]

Yes he did and she did hunch up then moved away from him, but let him come back to her. If that makes sense. I have breed rabbits and watched to make sure it was done, but this is the first time for goats. Like I said all my goats were already breed when I got them. So I am new to this part of goats. I don't think my other doe is in heat yet cause all I have seen the buck do to her is rub his head on her backside. This is the buck that was breed with my does before and the breeder wanted to sell him so since we had several of his does he called to see if we were interested. My buck is only 6 months old, and all white and he (the breeder) knew we were looking for an older darker buck to breed with my light colored does. Thanks again and have a great Monday.

 

[kimmyh]

I would count from the first time you saw him mount the doe, and count again from the last time you saw that activity IF you pulled him out of the pen. If you left him in the pen, your window is every day counting forward from the day you put him in.