Can't stand buck smell, but can't find a stud

gabbyraja · #1 11/15/12, 02:20 PM

I'm not sure what the heck to do. I need goat milk for my children next year. Each month I wait to breed my goats is another month they have to wait for milk... I, and everyone in my family, has vowed to never, ever again have a buck because the smell is positively repugnant, and we can't live with it on our hands, clothes, permeating the very air, etc. When we sold the farm last time, and moved back to the city, it took a good 6 months and selling our van before we finally got rid of the smell!

But, I've literally emailed everyone in our area, or within a 2 hour drive, that does NDs. They either won't do it, or have fees so high we simply can't afford it. However, we could buy a proven buck from milky lines for as little as $100. But after he's served his purpose, then what do we do with him? Is this even a good option? What if we can't sell him and end up having to house him indefinitely? UGH, I hate this part.

where I want to · #2 11/15/12, 03:11 PM

I buy a weanling at about 3 months old- at 6 or 7 months, he's done the deed and is sent for meat. Youngsters do not develop the serious buck odor before that time- a bit but not much. I have Boers so maybe it's different with dairy.
Or AI. Or pay the fee for stud service and recoup by selling the offspring. You could use a meat bucking and plan to sell all for meat. Weanling meat goats have a market, especially entires as they are the choice meat goat for some.
There are not really so many option other than that.
There aren't too many choices. Lease a buck? But his smell comes with him.

gabbyraja · #3 11/15/12, 05:22 PM

I LOVE your option to buy a weanling and butcher/sell before he gets smelling! Thank you! I'm doing that next year.

I decided I'm sucking it up and picking up a buck tomorrow. Registered with the AGDA, good milking lines, and all, for $60. She was going to take him to auction this weekend if he didn't sell, so she gave me a good deal to come get him tomorrow. I've not seem him in the flesh yet, so I'm not yet counting my chickens, but, maybe I've made yet another good find at the right time...