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AI and Seasonal Breeding Questions (kind of long)

1152 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  StaceyRosado
Here's a situation we're facing: I bought my daughter a registered Alpine doe, "Nadine", in early May. Nadine turned 2 years old in March and has never freshened. My daughter has her at the school farm as a project and wants to show her at the district fair in October.

Here comes the dilemma part of the situation :scratch: : The fair rules state that a dairy goat past the age of 2 must show an udder to be shown in competition. Nadine has never been bred, so no udder :shrug: . I was under the assumption that Alpines are seasonal breeders and we would have a harder time trying to breed her off-season. So, please tell me if I've got this straight, does go into heat cycles all year-round, but the seasonal breeding breeds of bucks are only in rut in the late summer/fall months.

AI is a possibility, right? Unfortunately we're still learning basic goat care. I'm not certain we know how to tell when a doe is in standing heat, much less trying AI.

Even if Nadine became pregnant today, she wouldn't have time to give birth before the fair and I'd be concerned about the stress of taking a pregnant doe to the fair with all the exposure and excitement (it's a big fair).

So, I'm flat-out confused. :help:

Sorry this was so long. Thanks to anyone who takes the time to slog through it and offer some advice. You folks here are so wise and always steer us in the right direction. :love:

Anna
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I think it is stressful on a pregnant doe, mine don't go preggo, and theyre not at their best either.
I'd talk to one of the livestock organizers or whoever is judging or in charge, he/she will be able to give you advice.
I believe that Alpines are seasonal, I'm not an Alpine person though...And bucks come into rut the same times as does come into heat. I have the boers and theyre all year long, but the bucks are at their best during the fall.
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