Stud Fees & Arrangements

hiddensprings · #1 01/03/13, 10:04 AM

I wanted to ask if any of you allow folks to use your buck for breeding. I have a few folks that I have sold Doelings to that want to bring them back in the Spring to bred with one of my unrelated bucks. I don't have a problem doing that, I know not everyone has the space to keep a buck full time. I have a separate pasture area where I can keep them away from my other bucks and my does. Ijust want to make sure I handle it right. So, I have a couple questions:
1. What do you charge for the stud fee?
2. Do you charge a separate "housing/care" fee? My goats don't leave our farm so they will be bringing their girls to me. And, since I am not sure that these new folks will know exactly when their girls are in heat, they will most likely be staying for a bit. What to charge for their care while they are here.
3. Do you have a contract that you require them to sign? A waiver of liability? As we know, goats do stuff that isn't always what we expect. So, how to handle if a doe gets injured or sick, etc. These folks are nice people don't I don't expect a problem, but I'd rather be prepared in advance for as many situations as possible. I've never had a doe get injured on my farm, but who knows what can happen.
I appreciate your input.

saanengirl · #2 01/03/13, 10:36 AM

I offer stud service and boarding to qualified does. I define qualified as a a generally healthy doe that has had a negative CAE test within the past 6 months.

Boarding is in a paddock isolated from all my stock.

My stud fee is $50 per doe, and includes a re-breeding if she doesn't take.

Boarding fees are $5/day, $25/week, $100/month.

A liability waiver would be a very good idea in order to cover yourself.

Rockytopsis · #3 01/03/13, 10:38 AM

I have never had a written contract but it is not a bad idea. I usually get a kid from each breeding. This time I got a Alpine doe instead of a buckling, but she has kidded and trained to milk so happy with that.

Nancy

Zilli · #4 01/03/13, 10:43 AM

I pay $35.00 for breeding to a registered, quality, dairy-bred buck. I think her price is the same for AI.

Where I take my does is a working dairy and she's not willing (or able) to board does so I do have to catch the doe in heat, take her in, and then take her home the same day. I have had to make a couple of repeat trips but she guarantees a breeding so it doesn't cost me anymore - just the expense of the gas and my time (and the dairy owner's time, which she doesn't seem to mind - we've become pretty good friends during these breeding sessions).

Since I only breed one doe a year, it doesn't make any sense for me to keep a buck here.

hiddensprings · #5 01/03/13, 12:44 PM

Thank you! Very helpful information. I totally agree with the "healthy and negative CAE test". I appreciate everyone's input. It all helps me prepare. I really want it to go well for both me and my customers. Anything I can do to help others experience the joy of babies..

Backfourty,MI. · #6 01/03/13, 06:18 PM

I don't offer stud service but if I was to let anyone bring a doe here to be bred I would want to see testing for negative CAE & Johnnes & also make sure they've had no abcess's or scars where it looks like 1 had burst.

Also I do believe I would write up some kind of contract & have them sign it for your protection as well as theirs.