Teats on a Reg FB Boer doe of mine

[jerryf]

The doe is an excellent mother and a heavy milker. She is raising her first set of twins that are growing well. Great conformation and a sung snug. Trouble free doe.
The concern is she has 3 functioning teats per side. All teats produce milk..no mastitis problems. A 6 teat doe is not desirable for a breeding stock producing herd. Her twin does kids each have 2 teats per side for a total of 4 teats. On each doe kid one of their 4 teats is a fish tail teat. Sire was a 4 teated buck--- an otside breeding not mine.
My buck is 2 teated and comes from a long line of 2 teated Boers. Should I breed her to him and see what if I can get clean 2 teat doe kids or am I wasting time and feed to try again?
Thanks

Jerry

[sungirl]

I have had 6 teaters also. As long as the teats are apart from each other I don't mind and they don't cause problems. Now with fishteats I cull them out of my herd. My first boer doe had them and she nearly lost one of the teats.

If you show then cull, cull, cull! My herd is now 100% two teaters are still can feed 3 kids without my help, (Had a third freshner raise 4 doelings last year by herself!)

Patty.

[KSALguy]

unless your showing or milking multiple teats are not really that big of a deal on a Boer, as long as they are not fish teats your ok. other wise cull hard,

[Terre d'Esprit]

Jerry-

I breed for 4 teated does, since I have so many that have triplets and even quads. I want them to be able to feed their babies! That being said, the ABGA breed standard says:

Does should have well formed udders with good attachment with the number of functional teats not to exceed two per side. A split teat with two distinctly separated teats and openings with at least 50% of the body of teat separated is permissible but teats without a split are preferred. It is most important that the udder is constructed so that the offspring are able to nurse unassisted.

Faults : Udder and teat abnormalities or defects to include but not limited to oversized or bulbous teats, pendulous udder.
Disqualifications: Cluster teats, fishtail teats or a doe that has not kidded or exhibited signs of pregnancy by 24 months of age

The other posters gave excellent advice: it depends upon the goals of your breeding program. If you are breeding for meat, then the teats are not a problem. The mommas will be able to feed those kids. OTOH, if you are breeding for show or breeding stock, you'll need to cull to meet the breed standard.

Good luck!