Another buckling - Opinions Please!

TroutRiver · #1 06/27/11, 09:13 PM

I found another buckling for sale that I am thinking about buying. He is not registered because his dam is not pure bred (25% alpine, 75% oberhasli). His sire is an ADGA registered oberhasli with several champions and milking stars in his background (I think his registered name is "Bardwell Tyrone" but I'm not 100% sure). His dam is the #2 milker at a commercial goat dairy nearby. I'm not sure exactly what her production records are, but I know that they have goats that milk 2-3 gallons per day.

I'm not concerned with having registered or purebred goats, I just want good dairy stock.

She rotates pastures every 30 days and worms with safegard (I know that's not the best wormer for goats) and all of her goats have been tested for CAE/CL or have come from farms where they were tested.

What other questions should I ask? Does this one sound promising?

Rechellef · #2 06/27/11, 10:00 PM

Sounds like you have done your homework. Since I too have been looking at improving my dairy lines with my Sannens and they are unregistered, I would probably pursue a buck like that myself. The only thig you may want to ask is if they have been tested for Johnes too. This is something I test my goats and sheep for.

saanengirl · #3 06/28/11, 12:09 PM

I would need to see pictures of the dam and the sire's dam. There are still a lot of Oberhasli, even those with championship bloodlines that don't have correct udder conformation. Make sure the dam is easy to milk. You don't want to breed to a buck that will throw hard-to-milk daughters.

TroutRiver · #4 06/28/11, 07:20 PM

I just emailed her asking about teat size/shape and udder conformation. I know that the farm he was bred at uses milking machines, so teat size/shape might not be as important to them as production. That is a great point. Thanks!

Creamers · #5 06/28/11, 09:35 PM

Quote:

I'm not concerned with having registered or purebred goats, I just want good dairy stock.

But something to consider is your kids from this breeding will not sell for nearly as much - so in the long run, even when going for good dairy stock only, financial matters will mean a lot. Also, 2-3 gen crossed will not produce like the 1st gen cross did, and you're still better off with a PB Saanen from high production lines if you're looking for a lot of milk. Obers not going to produce like some of the other breeds.

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