When will my doe go into estrus?

[feathernfiber]

I brought home a borrowed buck a week ago now to breed to my ND doe of 18 months. She's never had a cycle thus far but checks out as healthy, without having measured hormone levels. So far, the pair are "just friends", and there is no sign of heat coming on. There are no other goats near them to influence them, as I am boarding my other doe. I spent a lot of time with the buck today and he has more or less begun to act like a wether. I had to look down to make sure the equipment was still there. He is losing his bucky smell, also. He has bred several does back at the breeder's farm in the past month. How long should I wait before I drive him back? It's a long drive. May it take another week until she gets in the mood for him?

 

[elevan]

If you can I would keep them together for 21-30 days, that would guarantee that you catch one heat cycle.

I'm guessing that she is one that has "silent" heats since you've never noticed her before.

 

[OneFineAcre]

If you can I would keep them together for 21-30 days, that would guarantee that you catch one heat cycle.

I'm guessing that she is one that has "silent" heats since you've never noticed her before.

x2

 

[Southern by choice]

How do you know she's never had a heat cycle thus far? Do you mean since the buck has been there or no signs of heat in 18 months?

Some does are very quiet and will not do much of anything but flag their tail. Usually just bringing a buck around will "bring on" heat in many does. We have screamers and quiet ones. The quiet ones are watched more closely, they will stand near the fence line of where the bucks are and flag away.