What is old?

Silver Marten · #1 02/07/11, 10:34 PM

We are looking at buying another couple of Nubian does (we have one with a kid on her.) We have our choice of several ranging in age from 2 to 6 yrs old. They are all bred for spring kids. Is 6 yrs old older than we need to be looking at? They are $300 each.

libbypayne8 · #2 02/08/11, 12:01 AM

Unless it's a really nice doe bred to a really nice buck I wouldn't pay $300 for a six year old doe. But that's just me and the area I'm in.

Silver Marten · #3 02/08/11, 01:05 AM

Thanks for your reply. With all the other younger ones to choose from, I think 6 is pushing it.

copperpennykids · #4 02/08/11, 01:40 AM

Depends on the doe....

However, moving to a new home is tough for older goats, so all other things being equal, I would choose the younger 2-4 year olds.

Alice In TX/MO · #5 02/08/11, 03:55 AM

Six is not old. I have an 11 year old bred to kid in May.

julieq · #6 02/08/11, 05:55 AM

I just brought home three very well bred eight year olds and one five year old doe, two that we'd owned as kids. We did a group purchase, which averaged just over 300.00 each. We're taking a chance on getting kids (or not) out of the older does, but for us it was worth it due to the genetics and the fact it was a clean local herd.

chamoisee · #7 02/08/11, 10:39 AM

If the goats are registered and the owners show, or even if they just regularly milk the does and are serious about milk...I would prefer the 6 year old doe. Here's why: most does look great at 2 years old, and most of them milk reasonably well at that age, too. Finding an older doe who is still producing well, still has strong feet and legs, and is competitive in the milking parlor or the showring means that she's got something good, in order to have justified her keep against all the young up and coming does for thep ast several years. I would much, much rather have kids out of a doe like that, than any yearling or two year old.

julieq · #8 02/08/11, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chamoisee

If the goats are registered and the owners show, or even if they just regularly milk the does and are serious about milk...I would prefer the 6 year old doe. Here's why: most does look great at 2 years old, and most of them milk reasonably well at that age, too. Finding an older doe who is still producing well, still has strong feet and legs, and is competitive in the milking parlor or the showring means that she's got something good, in order to have justified her keep against all the young up and coming does for thep ast several years. I would much, much rather have kids out of a doe like that, than any yearling or two year old.

Well stated and I couldn't agree more!