Extra teats

deineria · #1 06/21/10, 09:21 PM

Okay, someone I know who has the full sister to one of the doelings (she was from a set of triplets) I bought in April has 2 extra teats, and he just let me know since he just realized it on the doeling he has. I know it is genetic, so what does this mean for my doeling, her sister?

TheLands · #2 06/22/10, 09:32 AM

I have a doe that has an extra teat, split teat maybe. It is quite interesting looking but her twin sister does not have and the doe her mama had before them did not either. Not sure if it is the same "extra" you are referring to or not but thought I would share. I can post a picture tonight or tomorrow if you would like to see what I am talking about.

~Lynda

Alice In TX/MO · #3 06/22/10, 09:38 AM

Info about heritability, includes links to more info:
http://www.littlemilkers.com/heritability.htm

deineria · #4 06/22/10, 10:14 AM

No, hers, I am told, it like another set of teats - smaller - almost making it look like a cow's udder. The dam didn't have this - I checked her udder and my kid's udder when I made the purchase.

copperpennykids · #5 06/22/10, 11:51 AM

What breed of goats are these?

GoatsRus · #6 06/22/10, 01:34 PM

Most of my boers have extra teats. Unless you're showing them I've never worried about them. The girls kid and nurse just fine.

copperpennykids · #7 06/22/10, 01:51 PM

In Boers, 4 teats are just fine and meet breed standard (providing they are cleanly separated).

Boers also allow supernumerary teats (teats without orifices). We call them "dingle-dangles" as folks look confused when we say "supernumerary". LOL Usually they get smaller and smaller as the doe develops her udder.

Dairy goats on the other hand.... Extra teats are a huge NO-NO. Grounds for DQ. No buck should ever be used that comes from a doe that has/had extra teats. Same for fish teats. (Fish teats are a big NO-NO in Boer goats as well, although not all associations DQ for them - they should. Eventually I predict that all Fish teats will be discouraged/ DQed).

To answer the OP, I would make sure that any buck you use with your doe is not related in anyway and has a history/pedigree of clean teated does. The doe with the extra teats would be a cull around here.... And I mean freezer cull.