Sterile for a season?

DamnearaFarm · #1 08/08/14, 03:47 PM

Nicole (RabbitPatch) and I share a Kiko buck. We bought him as a six month old and that first season both our older does took and had twins. This is our second season with him and NOTHING.
She had him with her does for a few months and I had him with my girls for a few months. No one took. He's back here, been here since May....Lord, I hope the girls settle...buying milk sucks~

I've never seen him mount the does but obviously he does. Or did. I just don't know.

Has anyone had anything like this happen before? Everyone is healthy, a good weight but not over weight, fed good hay and minerals, dosed with Replamin and dewormed as needed....but no babies.

Thoughts?

bluefish · #2 08/08/14, 03:48 PM

I'll be watching this one. I have a boer buck who I had for 2 successful years and last year, nada. He's only 3 1/2.

marusempai · #3 08/08/14, 03:48 PM

Just a thought, but have you tried a marking harness, so you'll have a better idea what he's doing out there? I have no answers, but that's the first thing I'd do, for more information.

paintpony · #4 08/08/14, 04:43 PM

Quite a few years ago I bought a Boer buck kid from the 4h judges herd. He didn't produce anything that first breeding season, nor the second. Never did figure out why. He did mount the does. Took him to auction and made quite the profit on him. That has been the only time (so far) that I've had a sterile buck.

#5 08/08/14, 05:44 PM

If he has produced offspring in the past, I would not instantly think sterility.

Are the does having good estrus cycles? Could be a mineral imbalance or lack of quality nutrition. I of course do not know what he and the does are being provided for mineral or feed. Try High Alfalfa mix or straight Alfalfa + a goat specific mineral such as Sweetlix Meat Maker. Could also try quality kelp free choice for a while.

It may be the does more than him. They have more complicated bodies for gestation. Maybe they are breeding but not implanting or aborting early and reabsorbing.

Just tossing out some ideas I would consider.

DamnearaFarm · #6 08/08/14, 06:48 PM

A total of six does, split between two properties with two different feed/mineral programs?

#7 08/08/14, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DamnearaFarm

A total of six does, split between two properties with two different feed/mineral programs?

Yes. Both could be imbalanced or lacking.

Some chemical dewormers can also cause a decrease in fertility (for both does and bucks for a few weeks after use) and/or abortions. Depends on when, what dewormers and how frequent you may be using them.

Many different possibilities but this is where I would start.

**mygoat** · #8 08/09/14, 10:50 PM

There are some communicable diseases that can cause buck infertility and abortions in does.

Personally, I WOULD blame the buck.I do like the idea of the breeding harness to see what he's doing - of course, unmarked does could mean does not going into heat as much as it could an uninterested buck.

If you have decent minerals out and several visibly healthy does between two places, he should be doing his job so long as the does are cycling. Some breeds are seasonal and wouldn't be breeding until recently, or maybe not yet even. If he's really fantastical, I'd get a repro exam done by a vet who knows sheep and goats... look at a semen sample. If he's not fantastical, I'd line up a different buck. If he's never sired kids before, and if his breeder is reputable, I'd contact the seller about potential replacement if found to be sterile but otherwise healthy.