How old to breed Nigerian Dwarf doe?

[cjb]

We have a 7 month old ND doe and I was wondering how old she has to be before we can breed her for the first time. She is clearly going into heat but she just looks so small (I'm used to my Obers and Nubes). I know most goats should be 7-8 months old at the very least. Is it the same for Nigies?

I can't wait to have our first Nigerian babies. This doe is everyone's favorite animal on the farm.

[Steffiej]

I'm definitely not the expert, but I started with Nigerians last summer, and everyone around my area has advised to wait until they're a year old, due to the size.

[cjb]

Really? Ok, I thought they may be ready earlier since they probably don't take as long to gain full size.

I think that they cycle all year long so I guess I could breed her in the Spring.

[Steffiej]

That's what we're planning to do. Ours will all be 1 year old in April/May, so we're breeding them in the Spring. As far as cycling goes, yes they cycle all year. They also cycle very early, and have to be separated as bucklings/doelings very early. I've read articles about Nigerian Bucklings impregnating does as early as 5 weeks of age.

[Steffiej]

Oh..I almost forgot to say, we can't wait for Nigie babies either!! We have a doeling we're bottle feeding right now, and she is the cutest thing I think I've ever seen.

[jordan]

I don't like mine to kid before they are 14-15 months old.
My March - May '07 kids are scheduled to be bred for June-July kids and a couple of them might be held over for the following year since they are still on the small size. I look more at body capacity than height to determine whether I'll breed the youngsters.
Good luck!
Lois

[HazyDay]

Age really isn't a huge factor. Look at How big she is for her age compaired to others the same, How much does she weigh?, is she able to feed 4+ kids plus her self?? If not let her have a good growing time. I let grow till they are atleast 1 1/2 them I breed them. I just don't want to chance having a really small doe! as she would be a cull walking!

[cjb]

I assume that their gestation is the same, right?

[Oldntimes]

I usually breed my Nigerian at about 10 months depending on size, smaller ones waite longer. I have bred FF that were pleny large enough at
9 1/2 months and they went on to Kid twins with no problem. So yes I agree
with Jordan, my FF usually kid out at 14-16 months. I have hsd others that just did not fit into my breeding plans and did not kid out for the first time till they were 2 years old. again did just fine.

Yes thier gestation is the same, mine usually freshen on the 147 day. Most of them are spot on 147 some, however go a bit earlier if they are in the same kidding pen with a doe that delivers at 147 then I have had ones that went 144 because I supposed she wanted her babies right then along with the. Or or hormones just kicked in from the others.

[moonspinner]

As a very general rule you're probably safe to breed them at 9 months and beyond. I've had kids bred even earlier (by accident) and all did just fine. I do think though, the very young does suffer in growth if bred too early. Afterall, they are still growing themselves at that age and to take on devleoping kids an added burden.
I go by size/maturity rather than a target weight. Some of my girls I don't breed til 1.5 years.