Breeding question

devdragon33 · #1 05/28/07, 03:37 PM

well we have been debating at what age we would like to breed this years babies. They were born in Feburary and we typically breed our herd in September (they will be one when they deliver. When you guys speak of breeding your yearlings are you talking about them being a year when they deliver or when you breed them? So what is every ones preference. Do you breed when they are one or two. Also are they one when they deliver or when you breed them?

Please help us make our decision.

ozark_jewels · #2 05/28/07, 03:46 PM

I breed my goats at around 7-9 months of age to kid around 12-14 months of age. I breed them by size and weight, NOT by age. They are usually between 70-80 lbs when I breed them. They grow beautifully, they kid out by themselves with no problems and they have very productive lives. Its all in the growing and not in the age.

Some pics of properly grown yearlings who kidded out with twins at 12 and 13 months of age. They are all already over 100 lbs, milking very well and are as tall as the adult does.

Breeding question - Goats

Feral Nature · #3 05/28/07, 05:10 PM

Same here. Doelings born in early spring are fed to grow out as well as possible and then bred that fall to kid out at one year of age. Good nutrition and management is key to keeping the doelings growing well as they progress through their pregnancies. They will put on more size throughout the second year of life as well.

nice pics of nice goats, Emily!

chamoisee · #4 05/28/07, 06:25 PM

Doelings born in Feb. would typically be bred in November or December, to kid out at over a year old. I've had a LOT of problems letting them go until they're two year olds. If you feed them well enough that they grow out nicely and also while they're pregnant and nursing, they'll do fine.

DocM · #5 05/28/07, 06:37 PM

I've done it either way with no appreciable difference in growth. I keep some back to show as dry yearlings, and breed the bigger stronger ones to show as milking yearlings. So far I haven't had any problems with any of them kidding, but I'm careful to only breed those who show a quicker maturation, and let the slow growers have that extra year as babies. I wouldn't breed anything that was under 75 lbs.

Sher · #6 05/28/07, 07:07 PM

When using Mick the second year..I wanted my girls at least 90lbs. cause he is so big. I did't want them breaking down from the weight.

This year I will use one of his young sons to breed with. And the weight could be less..but truly I do like that 90 lb. range.