How to tell when in heat??

[ScorpionFlower]

I've been watching my yearling doe for months to establish a pattern of when she's in heat as we want to breed next month. I"ve noticed my freshened doe go into heat a number of times, but the one we want to breed.... not once. Am I just missing it??? In my freshened doe, I notice a discharge for a few days and during that time she acts more stubborn. The other doe... never have noticed a difference in behavior, no discharge, nothing. Am I just not doing this right??? Help!

[mygoat]

all goats are different. Go visit the buck you're breeding to, and bring along an old dishtowel and a plastic baggie. Scrub that dish towel all over on the buck, especially his forehead and head area where his scent glands are... Then show the rag to the doe every day to determine when she goes into heat.

[Milk n' Honey]

It probably is just the habits of your doe. Some does have to be around a buck in order to detect the heat. You can rub a rag on the buck in rut, on his head (where it smells bad) and put it in a jar and close the lid tightly. Then take the jar to your doe and open it to let her smell it. See what her reaction is. A lot of people have luck with this method. Sometimes the other goats will sniff her rear area and she will hold her tail up. That is a sign too. Do you have a wether in with your does? That usually helps too. I reserved a wether for this purpose, hoping he could help me out. I keep my dairy does away from the buck so the milk doesn't go bad so I need help determining heats. I have noticed several of my does being in heat also but some just won't tell you easily. The buck rag method should help you out though. Even if you don't have a buck, whoever you are borrowing a buck from would most likely let you rub his head down!! Good luck and take care!!