Critique this buckling

[Hannah90]

Hey guys!

I'm super excited! There is a herd dispersal going on about two hours from me. They have several nigerians for sale all CAE/Johnes free double registered, all the good stuff. Anyway, of the pictures they had posted, this little buck stood out to me. I just got in contact with them, and I am not sure of his bloodlines. Whatcha think?

[GoatJunkie]

Too cute for words! Love his markings!

[Dusky Beauty]

I like his markings, I can't tell from all the hair though, but is he a little roach backed?
It's probably not a big deal even if he is if your herd has good toplines. Blue eyes in a buck is always an eye catching feature! everyone loves blue eyed kids!

How are his milk genetics? try to find out if any of his close female relatives were known to have poorly set pin bones (if they'll be honest about it....) that can skip generations but a doe with that defect can find it nearly impossible to give birth.

Friend of mine found that out the hard way when an otherwise very well bred doe nearly died in kidding. She had to be sold at a tremendous loss as a pet only with strict instruction that under no circumstance may she ever be bred again.

[Hannah90]

I'm not sure what you mean by roach backed. I've never heard that term?

[Alice In TX/MO]

I'm not good at this, but isn't his rear REALLY steep?

[Hannah90]

This is a good lesson for me. I need help knowing what to look for. He was born march 2012, so maybe still growing into himself?

[Alice In TX/MO]

Toplines:
http://www.dairygoatjournal.com/issu...of_weight.html

[dbarjacres]

Are you looking to milk your NDs? If so, pedigree is EXTREMELY important! Some just don't milk, and some only milk for 2-3 months and then dry up.

He looks to be standing downhill, but if not, he's very high in the rear and very steep rumped. Color is pretty nice tho!

Here is the ad she is looking at http://quadcities.craigslist.org/grq/3519140321.html

Being in that area I'd be concerned if she has goats from a breeder in WI that says she's Johnes neg, but has 2 positive goats in other farms this yr.

[saanengirl]

I don't think his back is roached, but he is not in a good position for a conformation shot. My concern is that he doesn't look very dairy and seems to have a short bone pattern (even for a Nigerian).

[lasergrl]

The other buck in the ad is better.

[Hannah90]

Thanks for your input. THIS is why I came asking here! Lady still hasn't gotten back to me yet, so who knows.

[mygoat]

There's a lot going on in that pic that makes him look worse than he is, I think.

He's not standing with his rear legs under him properly. This makes his rump look steep.

He's standing downhill, which makes him look roached.

He does look angular, but it's hard to tell much abt dairy character with all that bucky fuzz on there.

He looks kinda narrow, but it's really hard to evaluate that from a side shot.

[Hollowdweller]

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

I'm not good at this, but isn't his rear REALLY steep?

I think he looks steep rumped and too high in the pins but it may just be how he's standing.

[CaliannG]

The ground is fairly level in the pic...I am looking in my mind's eye of the frontal height he would have if those front feet were even, and it is not nearly enough to correct that topline.

Now, I *prefer* to have a little bit of height in the rear, just a *wee* bit downhill adds skeletal integrity (even though the current fashion is for uphill goats), but that hatchet rump would be a no-go for me.

[Hannah90]

Well at least I know what to look for a little better for next time.

[Cyngbaeld]

This buckling is only a few days old, but you can see how level he is.

[Hannah90]

Wow, there is definitely a difference! I think I understand the whole topline thing now. You all are wonderful!

["SPIKE"]

Looks like a mighty long beard for 10 months old.

SPIKE