So excited - getting Dishface the buck on Saturday!

[ani's ark]

Things have been a bit topsy turvey in terms of breeding plans this year, but after advertising for a buck in the local rag finally a lady called me and said she had 2 bucks and I could choose one. Either the Saanen buck called Dishface (he is Willow's half brother via their sire - a magnificent creature and the best buck in our area) or a Boer mix of unknown origins called Rugby, who was a rescue goat and is a bit puny and less dominant than Dishface.

We got on like a house on fire on the phone. She asks no service fee as long as her buck is returned in good condition, and is happy to do swaps and sales between our herds down the track because dairy goat owners are such a rarity in this area that it is great to have an ally within an hours drive.

I am still a bit uncertain on the line breeding, but Willow is a very well made doeling and their shared father is a great specimen with good milk genes. Salma is totally unrelated, but will probably have to put this young gun in his place before she will mate with him.
By all accounts Dishface is a promising young buck and I guess if I do this breeding I will know in 5 months time just how good that genetic line is. Worst case scenario we have freezer kids and I transport a buckling up from the South Island next year in an attempt to get some genetic distance in the herd.

This will be my first attempt handling a buck, I'll have him here for up to a month depending on how fast he starts work. Although he is young and very friendly, have you got any tips to ensure all goes smoothly?

[ani's ark]

Well Dishy is a doll! Is it weird that I dont even mind buck smell much? He's not very stinky yet being only 10 months old, but he sure knows his job.
I picked him up this morning, he was all polished up for his big date - like my girls, all were wormed and hoof timmed and brushed for their first impression. It made me realise how strange us goat people are about our animals....

He's nicely built and has lovely manners (for a buck, they are hilarious in their courting). Salma didn't get too pushy at all - she has silent heats, so I can never be too sure but I think she's good to go. She started flagging and let him mount inside half an hour. Salma and Dishy are now bonafide love-birds.

Willow is overcome with shyness although curious, peeping at him around the other goats and sashaying saucily past him then diving for cover when he approaches. I guess she will take a little longer to get bred! She looks very mature, but this is her first encounter with a real man. And Dishy doesnt know what to make of the wethers - he's only ever known does and bucks. So he's either challenging them or trying to mount them on and off.

Ahh goat watching, so entertaining.

[KSALguy]

if the genetics are as good as all that then you would be silly NOT to use him regardless of how closely related any of them are, Cull anything that does not show the best qualitys and you will have an awesome base to build from, and of corse you realize pictures will be asked for from everyone i am sure lol,

[ani's ark]

Thanks - I'm hopeful of some nice kids. Good genetic pool is limited here in lil NZ, because goats are considered 'pest' animals and there are few breeders. Thats changing as people are realising dairy goat potential, but apart from a small NZDGBA there are only backyard breeders like me. So here we go - photos. BTW they are all standing on a slope, which makes him look more posty legged and his rump steeper than it actually is on the flat. Photos show: The Specimen, the developing romance with Willow.

[anita_fc]

Oh, what a handsome young lad he is!

Anita
Dan-Ani Pygmy Goats, Idaho

[Minelson]

He is really a nice looking buck! Congrats!

[Crazy Farmgirl]

Those are some serious horns for 10 months! He's lovely!

[nehimama]

Cute couple!

[andabigmac]

Five whole months to wait for baby pictures??? I can't wait! Minelson- did you write the date down?

[KSALguy]

he is a nice looking fellow, and she is a cute lil lass her self, Saanen and a few other dairy breeds where used over there to "Improve" the feral stock into the Kiko so i would have thought there was good stock over there, but i guess they might have imported and then let them go i guess, anyway good luck with this guy and looking forward to seeing how they do come kidding season,

[ani's ark]

Warning***GRAPHIC***
Thanks for your encouraging feedback, I think he's a nice buck and Willow is a pretty girl like her mother Salma. Well proportioned and hopefully a great future milker.
Salma was a handful on the milkstand this morning, kept wagging her tail and (until almost hogtied) trying to get off the stand while I milked, calling out to her lover-boy that she was on her way. Grrr.
Willow soon succumbed to Dishy's ardour after lots of flirting and tail wagging.

I have three questions:
After mating this morning Salma squatted for a weewee and a big string of white goop came out - does this mean she lost all the semen or could she still take?

After a mating Willow hunches up like she is going to make weewee but then doesnt - is that normal?

No-one seems interested in food overly at the moment - they are all consumed with lust and interacting. Is there anything I should do to ensure they eat enough - like separate them for feeding time, or just leave it?

Lastly, how long should I keep the buck to ensure both are bred? Is one heat enough, or should I wait another 3 weeks? How will I know?

[Backfourty,MI.]

Yes, she could she could still take even tough you saw goo out her back end.

It is normal for them to hunch up when breeding, I actually watch for that & also the buck will throw his head back too.

Don't be too worried about food right now but keep an eye on them to make sure no one looses too much condition.

If Dishface is getting along with all your goats & not a problem to keep him 3 more weeks to breed any one that didn't take this time I'd keep him around till their next cycle.

Hope you have lots of nice babies in 5 months to come.

[APPway]

That is normal and bet she is bred
you can keep them together or just watch to see if she comes back in season
now just mark the Calender and start counting days
Congrats on a nice looking boy