To Cull or Not to Cull?

Apryl in ND · #1 06/14/10, 02:46 PM

I have a two and a half year old doe that I've owned since last summer. She has never kidded. The previous owner had her in with a buck at least once that I know of. I have had her in with my buck since Thanksgiving. She doesn't appear to be pregnant still! I have never noticed her in heat (but I'm new at this).

I know a more accurate way to tell if she's bred would be to send her blood off, but I don't feel comfortable drawing blood yet and I think going through my vet would cost too much.

What should I do? Cull her? Give her away as a pet? Be patient and try to breed her again this fall??

If I do decide to butcher her, how would the meat be from a two year old doe? Would it at least make decent burger? Thanks!

**mygoat** · #2 06/14/10, 02:51 PM

What breed is she? For seasonal breeders, december is usually the LATEST possible breeding time - though I bet some stop cycling in November. If so, she'll start cycling again this late summer/early fall.

If she's NOT a seasonal breeder, I'd probably opt to butcher her now. Or if that seems a difficult choice, I'd draw blood and send it off. Drawing blood is not hard and this could be a learning experience. Just get a good holder, some red stoppered blood tubes (no preservatives), and a 3cc syringe with a 20ga x 1" needle.

Apryl in ND · #3 06/14/10, 02:54 PM

She's a mini-nubian. I've heard that some are seasonal breeders and some are year round breeders.

I should also add that my husband DESPISES this doe, lol, and would LOVE for her to disappear.

Alice In TX/MO · #4 06/14/10, 03:34 PM

She will make good hamburger.

ozark_jewels · #5 06/14/10, 04:42 PM

Good burger, good roasts. I would think that getting the vet to draw blood would be cheaper than giving her away or feeding her for another several months to make sure she isn't bred or going to breed this fall.

LomahAcres · #6 06/14/10, 05:57 PM

If you really want to give her another shot - I'd make sure her copper and bo-se are up-to-date and that she isn't overweight and her worm load is under control, as all of these will effect her ability to settle. Once she is in great shape, I'd try for another fall breeding and if no luck - Goat roast for Christmas