Is bow legged-ness hereditary?

[DRR Fainters]

Just wondering...found a nice little doeling that is a bit bow legged in the front end. If she and her kids have proper nutrition during pregnancy and thereafter, will I still end up with bow legged kids? Thanks.

[Sweet Goats]

It is VERY likely that they will. I am not saying it is for sure but VERY LIKELY.

I would never buy a goat that did not have straight legs. The doe and buck have to be 100% correct for me to purchase or use them.

[sungirl]

I wouldn't even think of breeding a doe like that. Even if they were giving her away & she had the best blood in the country I still would cull her. Just my way of breeding animals.

Patty.

[thatcompchick]

You definitely don't want bow-legged in a meat goat. Fainters sometimes have a different way of walking - so if it's slight, it could be a 'fainter' thing. If she's very wide chest, then it could be due to that. If she truly is bow-legged you could end up with a foundered animal, and other hoof issues.

Now if you can deal with above, and just want to use her to produce MEAT - go for it. Don't pay breeder price for her, and don't register her, etc etc.

It is highly heritable trait.

Good luck!

Andrea
www.arare-breed.net
www.faintinggoat.net

[LomahAcres]

Make sure she isn't copper deficient. I've seen kids/young goats go bowlegged, and restraiten after copper treatment.

[DRR Fainters]

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...g?t=1213985272

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...g?t=1213985349

Here are some [bad] pictures of her. My camera battery was almost dead. Anyway, do you think this can be corrected by a copper supplement and/or bose?

[DRR Fainters]

Do you think I can bring her out of this? It's noticable but I don't think it will prevent her from living a normal life. I'm fine with her being a pet, but wanting to know if her babies will come out with front legs like this?

[thatcompchick]

You probably are facing founder issues there. She doesn't appear to have any noticeable copper deficiency signs (no hair discoloration, etc) I really don't like how those front hooves look.

If you like trimming hooves every week....guess it's ok, but that is definitely a genetic issue - i can almost bet the farm on it. I've seen this look in foundered goats before.

Andrea

[DRR Fainters]

Isn't founder from overeating, from too much grain? That wouldn't be genetic then? I know, I know. I shouldn't get her......

[thatcompchick]

Well, yah, but not necessarily too much grain. Could be due to incorrect hoof formation/growth - just look at her in the picture - look how her hooves are growing wrong. You WILL have to trim her very frequently or she'll be down on her knees in no time.

Yah, you shouldn't. Not really worth the trouble - she'll probably COST you more than anything in the end. Honestly - now of course my 'style' is totally different - you're not showing/telling me anything that makes her good - there seems to be no positives about this goat that would explain why you would fit her into your budget...

Andrea