what age to breed goats

wildwood2009 · #1 01/11/14, 07:29 PM

hi im new to this forum. we just are geitting started on our small homestead. we have a 2 yr old georgious billy american alpine. we have a 9 month old female doe french alpine. is she too young to breed with him? how old do goats have to be to get bred?i have never bred goats always bought them as babies or already bred but its been years since weve had goat babies around. also how long does it take for them to kid from the time they are bred? thanks for any help.

Backfourty,MI. · #2 01/11/14, 08:33 PM

At 9 months your doe should be old enough but age is not the only factor. Her size/weight should be 70 to 80 percent of what she'll be as an adult. I don't have alpines but it seems I've read she should be about 80 Pounds or so.
There are many folks here with standard goats & I'm sure they'll chime in also.

Average gestation is 150 days but she can still go 5 days either way so between 145 to 155 days.

shanzone2001 · #3 01/11/14, 08:36 PM

I agree that it is about the doe's size and health. Will the alpine breed this time of year anyway? I think they are seasonal breeders.

ETA I just googled alpine goats and yes, they are seasonal breeders. Late summer to early fall is typically when they will breed.

Backfourty,MI. · #4 01/11/14, 08:40 PM

Depending on what part of the country you live in your seasonal breeders may still be cycling.

shanzone2001 · #5 01/11/14, 08:48 PM

Katie, do you know if they have a longer breeding season in colder or warmer climates? I want to say warmer because "equatorial" breeds are from warmer climates and breed year round. I swear my nubian was just in heat because she was screaming like crazy and our neighbor's buck jumped the fence to "visit" her. I am in Northern Ca so warm for sure.

wildwood2009 · #6 01/12/14, 11:16 AM

thanks for responces. i have had them seperated since i got them cause i got her when she was 4 months old and didnt want him to try to breed her or hurt her. i will put them together now and see what happens. she is a big healthy goat. and really pretty.

Alice In TX/MO · #7 01/12/14, 11:24 AM

It also depends on the individual goat. I have an Alpine/Saanen cross who cycled ONCE this fall, before the buck was in residence, and then not again. I don't mind, as I'm going to 'milk her through.'

Frosted Mini's · #8 01/12/14, 10:31 PM

I breed my alpines when they are 90+ lbs.

They usually have heat cycles from October through January, sometimes in September, but mine haven't had any cycles in Sept this year or last for some reason. I think they can sometimes cycle as late as February, as I know of someone with alpines that had July babies.