getting a new doeling tomorrow!

[cathleenc]

well, I have no power to resist it seems. LOL.

I'm going to pick out and buy a doeling from my mentor's dairy herd tomorrow. Most are purebred Alpines, I know there are at least 2 alpine-nubians and one alpine-lamancha.

She is retiring and this is her last batch of kids. She has not sold any yet, thinking that the new owners might buy them all - but they are not.

I've been quite sad about selling our two kids from this year - bought the dams pregnant and knew nothing about the buck except he was saanen. Couldn't justify keeping them even though I fell in love. My consolation was waiting till next year when I could keep a doeling - we got a great nubian buckling with a strong dairy background to stud for us.

So anyway, there are something like 60 doelings to choose from! Talk about overwhelming. Do I go for purebred, do I go for milk quanitity, do I go for udder conformation/strength, do I go for pretty looks figuring that just about all the other factors have constantly been bred for by the owner. Do I ask her to just choose for me?

Such a wonderful dilema. A new kid tomorrow! I am so dang excited. (my dh has the camera out of town so can't post pics tomorrow)

[deafgoatlady]

What are u looking for in a goat? Milk or show or what? If u want milk. I would be sure it is a good udder and milker too. Be sure that the udder wont get blown out like my mother in law's goat;s udder. AWFUL.. So. Good Luck..

[cathleenc]

Originally Posted by deafgoatlady

What are u looking for in a goat? Milk or show or what? If u want milk. I would be sure it is a good udder and milker too. Be sure that the udder wont get blown out like my mother in law's goat;s udder. AWFUL.. So. Good Luck..

well, coming from this dairy it WILL be milky, no avoiding that. And it should have a very good udder. The owner is adamant about culling and selecting.

More the question of wether to ask for the doeling from the dam with the BEST udder or the doeling from the MILKIEST doe. I think finding crap here would be pretty impossible.

[deafgoatlady]

well yeah I understand. Just look at the parents if they have them. To see how they are.. That what I do usually. But sometimes i dont pick the right ones but still i get milk. I would LOVE to get MILKEST one. Never own one before. But I wouldnt get a udder that is laying LOW. OH no. It was awful to watch my mother in law's goat..

[jBlaze]

I go for udder attachment, conformation, temperment, production, then pretty, sort of. Color is laast, personality is important. udder conformation is vital, body conformation is important, as is production.

[mpete]

Well, where's the pics?!? How did you end up choosing????