How long can a doe reproduce?

allenslabs · #1 07/25/05, 05:54 PM

My parents are looking at a couple does in milk and one is a 5-7 year old Alpine and the other is a reg 6 yr old nubian. How long can they expect to reproduce with those goats or should they just try to find a younger one? Any help would be great! We're new to the idea.

debitaber · #2 07/25/05, 06:09 PM

until 10 yrs, or some even until they are in their teens.

allenslabs · #3 07/25/05, 06:24 PM

What do you think would be a fair price? They are being milked now so they are trained. Seem to be in good health.

trnubian · #4 07/25/05, 10:25 PM

Does can reproduce until they are ten or sometimes until they are thirteen.

There are some things you should think about before you buy them.

#1 These are older does. They may very well be used to their routine that they have been in for 6 or more years. They may not adjust well to their new home nearly as well as a younger animal.

#2 Have they been tested for CAE or TB or Bruc? Do they come from a certified and accredited herd? CAE can cause a doe to have a shorter life expectancy, less milk production, and other ailments. TB and Bruc, can seriously harm a human drinking milk from a positive doe.

#3 Are these animals registered? If they aren't kids out of them will be worth much less than registered kids. Also, with a registered doe you can see her previous milk records and possibly show records.

These animals could be a very good purchase for you, or they could be a bad one. Look at your options and what you want out of them.
A younger, healthy doe (1-3) will be productive longer for you than an older doe. An older doe has proven over and over again what she can do.

For a registered decently milking (9-12 lb. a day), tested healthy, older doe I would think $200 would be a very resonable price.

If she is not registered, does not milk very well (under eight pounds a day), and has not recently been tested spending, $100 would be throwing your money away.

Good luck to you and your search.