Have a Boer doe bred for a Nov. kidding?

[CarolynRenee]

Since Boer goats are supposed to be able to be bred year round, would it be wise (and why or why not) to have my Boer gal bred in the next few weeks? I have a Boer buck I want to use on her but he'll be leaving very, very soon.

[mygoat]

With a good management program in place, there is no reason not to breed 2x per year in boers - you just have to have a good feed program and parasite prevention program for the health of the does and growing kids. Does can loose a lot of condition from lactation so a more intense management will be required or the health of the does. Breeding for November doesn't give a lot of support of pastures for the kids, generally you'd have them kid out in late winter and again in early fall to take advantage of pastures. That late of kidding is not recommended for a commercial operation, but if you're wanting to keep back offspring then there is no reason not to, esp if the buck won't be around for fall breeding.

[Alice In TX/MO]

Will she have to use CIDRs?

[CarolynRenee]

What is CIDRS? Is it a hormone to get her to come into heat?

As for the pasture part, unfortunately we don't have much pasture for them right now anyhow (currently working on that), so they'd be getting mostly good grass hay anyhow and alfalfa pellets. If that's the biggest reason NOT to breed then, then I suppose I'll go ahead and try for a breeding asap. I wouldn't want her to kid any later than mid-November so if she doesn't go into heat or get bred before the middle of June then I'll just hold off.

[mygoat]

A good amount of boers will be cycling to breed for fall kiddings. I doubt all do, but commercial herds select for it. CIDRs would be more guaranteed...