Will a weather work to determine heat in ND does

[WILLIFORD]

I have only had goats for about 7-8 months. I have a 3 year old doe and her two 8 month old daughters. They are Nigerian dwarfs. The 3 year old has been freshened at least twice. It is time to freshen her again. My problem is this, I have monitored her closely for signs of heat since I have had her, but the only signs I see are very random, infrequent and subtle, not enough to help me feel confident that she is in heat. I do not have the space, or desire to have a buck. However I have read that keeping a wether would help determine if my does are in heat, as he will still try to mount them when they are in heat. Could some of you experts please advise me if the information I have read is true. I would not mind having a wether if it would help me in determine when my does are in heat. I am hoping this approach is valid, as it would be an easy fix for me.

The problem is the only bucks that I feel comfortable exposing my does to in the area, are a 2 hour drive. I don’t want to make that journey without a higher degree of confidence that my doe is ready.

PS I have done my research on the signs of heat to look for, she is just so mellow, I don’t think her signs are pronounced enough for me to feel confident in making the decision

Your advice is greatly appreciated

 

[B&B Happy goats]

What i personaly do use is a buck rag, i wouldn't bother with a wether unless you found one you just HAVE to have as a pet. My NG will get more vocal and flag their tails. You can get a rag ,go to a buck and rub him with the rag to get his scent nice strong, get forehead, fyont leg pee smell and go for the jewls to really get that scent, put it i to a jar with a lid. This will keep for a long time, whenever your are wondering open the jar and watch for a reaction...if it smelsl bad, not interested...if ithey are ready ...you will really see interest.
Often if you leave her with the buck for a week, or two you have a better chance, amonth and a half is great...but try a buck rag, .......good luck

 

[WILLIFORD]

What i personaly do use is a buck rag, i wouldn't bother with a wether unless you found one you just HAVE to have as a pet. My NG will get more vocal and flag their tails. You can get a rag ,go to a buck and rub him with the rag to get his scent nice strong, get forehead, fyont leg pee smell and go for the jewls to really get that scent, put it i to a jar with a lid. This will keep for a long time, whenever your are wondering open the jar and watch for a reaction...if it smelsl bad, not interested...if ithey are ready ...you will really see interest.
Often if you leave her with the buck for a week, or two you have a better chance, amonth and a half is great...but try a buck rag, .......good luck

I have considered that as well. However I wouldn't mind having a wether, but would he serve the same purpose as the buck rag?

 

[Wehner Homestead]

I’ve not kept a wether around to know if this would be successful. Based on my experience with cattle...had a Steer that was out with the cows for a short time this breeding season. He completely ignored the cows in heat! A bull calf that was three months old was our best heat detector! Makes me wonder if it’s more of an individual thing for each wether.

I will tag some that MAY have experience or heard of this option and how it works. @Southern by choice @Goat Whisperer @goatgurl @OneFineAcre I’m also tagging @Devonviolet and @Latestarter as they have had wethers but not sure if they were near their does or not.

 

[B&B Happy goats]

In my own experiance...no, my wethers didn't react to them

 

[Mini Horses]

What i personaly do use is a buck rag,

For your situation, this is what I was going to suggest, also. It works for most does. Then there is AI.

I've not had my wethers be predictors. In fact, some of my other does in the herd do a better job. Since a goat cycle is often very short, you may want to plan on marking the calendar first time, then scheduling the date for the next.

 

[WILLIFORD]

I will defer to your wisdom and use the buck rag. I may still end up with a wether as well. You know you can never have to many goats, right!

 

[B&B Happy goats]

You got that right @WILLIFORD

 

[Mini Horses]

You know you can never have to many goats

now you're talking!

 

[Southern by choice]

Some does just simply do not have strong heats unless there is a live buck around.
For some buck rags may be enough, for others it isn't.

Wethers are hit and miss and IMO are unreliable. If it is a wether that does then you run into the issues of then mounting and harassing during late stage pregnancy so.... would you really want a wether around with 3 does that cycle every 3 weeks?

If your doe has short cycles it will be difficult to get her bred with the drive time etc.

IMO there is nothing like having a buck on the premise. I love bucks and Nigerian bucks are so easy to care for anyway. All our bucks are super lovey and really they only get super stinky during rut- the rest of the year they are fine and super loving.