How long between breeding?

PrettyPaisley · #1 06/03/12, 01:05 PM

How quickly can I breed a goat that has kidded. I want to do what's best for the doe, but have bought a couple of Alpines who are just not producing what I expected. I have either sold or weened the kids and wonder how much time needs to pass before I can rebreed them. They've all been wormed and boloused and are full and fluffy from lots of hay and browse, none are scrawny or having a hard time keeping weight on. Matter of fact, they have really gotten fluffly recently.

Ford Zoo · #2 06/03/12, 03:20 PM

I know everyone has their own opinion on rebreeding. They sound like they have good condition, so it probably wouldn't hurt. But I've read that breeding a doe when she is too hefty can cause problems later in pregnancy. Just somehting for you to consider...

andabigmac · #3 06/03/12, 05:06 PM

It must be nice to have options like being able to breed for kids any time of year. I have to rebreed when I know ears aren't going to freeze off and babies won't stick to the ground.

I would say go for it if they're in good condition. I have a few I'm breeding back asap this fall for the same reasons.

Alice In TX/MO · #4 06/03/12, 05:19 PM

I think the hefty goat problems are that fat goats don't breed successfully because of fat around their ovaries, and, yes, it's harder for a fat goat to expel kids.

PrettyPaisley · #5 06/03/12, 05:33 PM

They aren't fat! I'm just happy they are holding weight better. Before we bought this land it was more challenging to keep them fluffed out.

**mygoat** · #6 06/03/12, 05:36 PM

The only problem I see is that, being alpines, they're not cycling right now.

They won't cycle till fall. Unless you want to use CIDR's/PG600 to get them to go into heat out of season, then you're outta luck anyways.

Backfourty,MI. · #7 06/03/12, 08:49 PM

Are they getting any kind of dairy pellet or alfafa? Just wondering since you said they get plenty of hay & browse if they just don't need something else to keep them in higher milk production.

PrettyPaisley · #8 06/03/12, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mygoat

The only problem I see is that, being alpines, they're not cycling right now.

They won't cycle till fall. Unless you want to use CIDR's/PG600 to get them to go into heat out of season, then you're outta luck anyways.

Yes, I reckon that would pose a problem.

I guess I could manipulate their cycles but I'm not certain I want to play god, you know? Thanks for pointing that out!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Backfourty,MI.

Are they getting any kind of dairy pellet or alfafa? Just wondering since you said they get plenty of hay & browse if they just don't need something else to keep them in higher milk production.

I do give them alfalfa - or I was. They get alfalfa on the milk stand but since they don't spend much time there they don't get many pellets. I really don't want to give them conventional pellets-I know it's loaded with GMO soy and corn and other stuff that's not ideal...but I don't know what else to do. Honestly, I think to some degree it's my fault. Besides the fact that their udders have been hard since kidding, I thought that leaving the kids on them would keep their milk supply up but it has not. I tried to milk them when they first kidded but their udders were so hard and I got so little I figured I would back off a bit to see if the udders softened. They did not-and now there is no milk. I kept 2 doelings and still see them suckle but I can't get a teaspoon out when I milk. I'm so blue and certain I'm doing something wrong-but instead of selling them off I thought I'd breed them again and try to learn from my mistakes.

Is that the right thing to do in this situation?

Alice In TX/MO · #9 06/03/12, 09:06 PM

Have they been tested for CAE? Hard udders are NOT a good thing.

mekasmom · #10 06/03/12, 09:51 PM

Dairy breeds don't come into season until fall months up until about Feb. You breed them about once a year. They are seasonal producers. Meat breeds will come back into season quicker, and have more kids, but for dairy breeds I wouldn't expect them to be coming into season until Oct on this year up until late next winter/early spring.

PrettyPaisley · #11 06/03/12, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

Have they been tested for CAE? Hard udders are NOT a good thing.

No. I am afraid to test them. I got them from a place that has several goats-show goats-and I have no idea abou CAE even though they said they were tested. We bought 4-I got 3 and a friend took 1. She also has hard udders. But here is the thing, the goats I had long before them don't have much milk either, and that's what leads me to believe I could be doing something wrong.

I'm just sick about the whole thing.