What would you do??

ahahahni1 · #1 02/13/08, 09:28 AM

Our mini-alpine just had twins (buck kids) one is black and white and one is a red (spelling?) chamasia with blue eyes. The one with the blue eyes is so pretty. Why couldn't it have been a girl?! Anyway I already have a buck we are raising for our her sire but this one is so pretty I just really don't have the heart to band him. Is there a market for blue eyed mini-alpines? Should I band him and raise him for freezer camp or what? Yes his mother is papered. What would you do?

Marie

Leo · #2 02/13/08, 09:54 AM

Hi,
IMHO I would look to see how well put together he is, and also take comfort in knowing that she could throw a blue-eyed girl next time.

That does stink how she threw such a pretty boy! You should post a pic., I love seeing other people's goats.

Megan

dkdairygoats · #3 02/13/08, 01:11 PM

I would band him. Unless his mother is really valuable and has no faults whatsoever and you can say the same for his sire...I would not keep him as a buck. Try to sell him as a pet maybe...his looks will help in that department. I have found with breeding stock that color has no bearings on quality as long as it's within the breed requirements.

That being said...I understand your dilemma...I love the blue eyed ones. Just think though...he will be more loveable as a wether.

Alice In TX/MO · #4 02/13/08, 02:36 PM

Where's Erath County?

xoxoGOATSxoxo · #5 02/13/08, 03:16 PM

His eyes might chage color as he gets older, you never know. So I would band him too.

waygr00vy · #6 02/13/08, 05:47 PM

I must say I love the blue eyes. If you think he will be an outstanding buck PLUS the blue eyes, i wouldn't band him. Either keep him to breed or sell him to someone else to breed. Although i can't answer your question as to if blue eyes are a good thing in mini-alpines. I know I always sell the blue eyed kids a lot faster than the brown eyes in the nigies. i am starting to work towards mini-nubians and what I personally want is good udders, milking ability, confirmation, nice ears, small size, lots of color AND blue eyes! (no, i'm not picky at all)!!

AnnaS · #7 02/13/08, 06:22 PM

If his sire and dam had outstanding qualities that I wanted to perpetuate in my herd, I'd keep him a buck. If he had qualities that made him desirable to other herds, I'd keep him a buck. He will get just as meaty with or without his "jewelry".

jordan · #8 02/13/08, 06:40 PM

Unless his dam is outstanding and his sire's udder genetics the same, band him.
There are too many bucks out there that are flashy and/or blue eyed, but that means NOTHING in the milk pail or show ring! Please remember that flash is not what we breed for, correct conformation and great udders are. Now if you have the last two AND flash, that just icing!

Trey · #9 02/13/08, 06:55 PM

Are blue eyes allowed in the mini goats? I know they are in the nigi's but I mean in the mini alpines, numbians and so fourth.

ahahahni1 · #10 02/15/08, 03:31 PM

Well I decided to not band him and keep him until we decide if we want to sell him or keep him for breeding. I bought his mom bred and she was bred to a blue eyed buck. I will take pics of the buckling and post soon. I am looking forward to the lady I bought him from coming to see him since I don't have an eye for conformation yet.

CookingPam777 · #11 02/15/08, 09:13 PM

I don't think you should band him. If he's a really cutie he'll produce real cuties!

ahahahni1 · #12 02/15/08, 10:13 PM

Tah Dah! Here is my boy http://pets.webshots.com/photo/26395...61436222YqkzSF

Alice In TX/MO · #13 02/16/08, 07:44 AM

What an interesting color he is!

CookingPam777 · #14 02/16/08, 08:05 AM

He is really cute and looks right proud of himself hehehe!

susanne · #15 02/16/08, 08:25 AM

very cute little boy.

look at his back legs, does he toes out with his feet? do they look hocky from behind? it also looks he has his front feet toes out. how is the udder from his dam? is she nice to milk out? can you post a picture from his dam?
do not make you decision on blue eyes. as a serious breeder, your goal is to improve the breed and not only multiply using the cute factor.

goatsareus · #16 02/16/08, 09:38 AM

what would I do?? castrate him

jordan · #17 02/16/08, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by susanne

very cute little boy.

look at his back legs, does he toes out with his feet? do they look hocky from behind? it also looks he has his front feet toes out. how is the udder from his dam? is she nice to milk out? can you post a picture from his dam?
do not make you decision on blue eyes. as a serious breeder, your goal is to improve the breed and not only multiply using the cute factor.

Well put Susanne. You are the voice of reason! Do NOT sell or keep a buck because he has blue eyes or is cute! A buck should only remain intact if he can contribute something substantial to the breed (udders/conformation).
I'm sorry, though he's cute, this little buckling is extremely hocky in the rear and narrow in the chest floor. He'll make someone a great pet wether though!

hornless · #18 02/16/08, 03:17 PM

Not buck quality, but still cute. And you know, he will probably have a better home as a wether. Most bucks get passed around and around till they die. Wethers usually have more permanent homes.

goatkid · #19 02/16/08, 05:08 PM

At my place, any buckling not ordered by someone by the time he is about a month old is banded. It's just alot easier to deal with wethers than young bucks in my herd. You have a cute little guy. Since he is very young, and I know newborns are just learning to walk, I can't really tell what he'll look like from the photo. You said you already have a herd sire. If you have a small herd, you really only need one buck, but wethered, this little guy should make a good companion for your buck.