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Post By Alice In TX/MO
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Post By Doug Hodges
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Post By CarolynRenee
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01/27/14, 03:56 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: The Beautiful Ozarks
Posts: 1,394
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Boer teats; how many?
Before starting our little Boer herd, I always thought that they had four teats instead of the two like our dairy gals (Saanen & Nigerian Dwarfs). Then when I went to go looking at them here (in the Ozarks) I have YET to find a Boer with four teats.
Is the number of teats a regional thing? Or does everyone in the Ozarks just have goats missing half their teats?
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I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. - Thomas Jefferson
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01/27/14, 05:08 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northwestern, WI
Posts: 1,792
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Maybe that's just the genetics down your way? My does have 1x1 teats, except for one with 1x2, and a buck with 2x2. He has not passed that on to his offspring. I also have a 2x2 100% NZ Kiko doe and from what I have read, most kiko's are 1x1.
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01/27/14, 05:23 PM
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Wait................what?
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Montana
Posts: 2,254
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It's a mix of genetics and popularity, maybe. I know the 2x2 was pretty rare up here, but it's catching on now.
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01/27/14, 05:46 PM
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More dharma, less drama.
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: Texas Coastal Bend/S. Missouri
Posts: 30,482
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I find it bizarre that anyone wants goats with four teats, but as I don't have Boers, perhaps there's something to the idea that I'm just not clicking on. 
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Alice
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"No great thing is created suddenly." ~Epictitus
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01/27/14, 07:17 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Mountain Home, Arkansas
Posts: 2,550
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I only have two hands.
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01/27/14, 08:00 PM
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Wait................what?
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Montana
Posts: 2,254
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Generally you don't milk boers, if you did it wouldn't be much different than a cow. I guess. If they have 4 functioning teats, they can raise 3-4 babies easier. That's the theory, anyway. Might have something to it as it seems to be becoming more popular.
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01/27/14, 08:05 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: The Beautiful Ozarks
Posts: 1,394
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When I read about boers having 2x2 that kind'a made sense 'cause you always wanted "more" kids so the more teats, the more room at the supper table. So I can understand the reason for that on meat goats, just not sure why they only have two down here.
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I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. - Thomas Jefferson
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01/27/14, 09:11 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,297
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I've had Boer crosses with extra non-functional teats. And while they've not had problems nursing, my druthers, if I were to raise meat goats again, would be to have either all 2x2s or all 1x1s. It always made me nervous not knowing until that first kidding whether or not it would be an issue. I have noticed the ones that have the 2x2 genetics tended to have higher, tighter udders with small teats. Which is a health benefit raising animals that receive minimal human input. Spacious udders that hold a large volume of milk for extended periods of time with large, hand-sized teats is beneficial for a dairy animal but not ideal for naturally raising young.
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01/28/14, 05:58 AM
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HOW do they DO that?
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Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Southwest Michigan
Posts: 1,663
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If they have 4 teats, do they have 4 'quarters' in the udder also.
(not sure of the terminology)
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Insatiably Curious
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01/28/14, 07:08 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Maryland
Posts: 3,586
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO
I find it bizarre that anyone wants goats with four teats, but as I don't have Boers, perhaps there's something to the idea that I'm just not clicking on. |
I agree. I don't have Boers, but if I did I'd definitely only want 2 teated ones. Goats should have 2 teats. If you want a 4 teated animal, get a cow. 
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01/28/14, 12:42 PM
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Caprice Acres
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: MI
Posts: 11,230
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The extra teats generally aren't efficient for feeding kids because they are smaller- but they are not a hindrance to kids using the "Main" teats either! The point of a Boer udder is to feed kids. 2 teats is not better than 4, and there's a lot of 4 teat genetics that would be a shame to cull for something like that. There are teat structures that can occur that are bad for kid feeding, and those are a culling offense. No point if she can't feed her own kids.
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Dona Barski
"Breed the best, eat the rest"
Caprice Acres
French and American Alpines. CAE, Johnes neg herd. Abscess free. LA, DHIR.
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01/28/14, 09:25 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,377
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In S Africa the prefered is 2:2. As mentioned before, more room at the table.
They come in real handy when they have trips.
Still one chamber in each side.
Yes they are small teats & not easy for a human to milk. Half the time they don't even point straight down but ask a kid he/she don't care.
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Bob and Nancy Dickey
Laughing Stock Boer Goats
"Seriously Great Bloodlines"
and the meat goes on....
Near Seattle
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