[jdunton]

I have a 9 year old boer buck and 5 nubian does. New to all this. Been trying to get the does bred. So far I haven't been ab le to catch them in the act. Shoildnt I be seeing some action if they were breeding? They seem ti me to be interested, but so far nothing.

 

[enchantedgoats]

you may not see a heat until the weather turns a little cooler, they could be having silent heats. when did you want them to kid? we're looking at the middle of january at this point.

 

[nancy d]

Welcome, Jdunton.
It is very possible that you haven't seen any action, especially if it's hot during the day.
Watch for gunk on their tails.

 

[jdunton]

Thank you for the replys.....how much gunk? Ive seen where it looks like a slight amount of discharge. Is it normal to catch them breeding or not. He goes through all the actions according to what ive read. But I havent seen him mount them. They seem receptive but when he doesnt make the move...they end up walking away. I dont mind if they kid early.

 

[ksalvagno]

Thank you for the replys.....how much gunk

Can be anything from a little to a lot.

Is it normal to catch them breeding or not.

If you are doing pasture breeding then most of the time you don't see them breed. Sure you may catch them breeding but no guarantees.

 

[MsScamp]

I have a 9 year old boer buck and 5 nubian does. New to all this. Been trying to get the does bred. So far I haven't been ab le to catch them in the act. Shoildnt I be seeing some action if they were breeding? They seem ti me to be interested, but so far nothing.

As far as I can tell, bucks are apparently very shy and don't like servicing does when people can see them - no, I'm not being a smarty pants here. I can count on about 4 hands the number of times I've seen my bucks breed my does in the last 5 years but, funny thing is, they all kid come about 5 months later and usually finish within about 2-3 weeks after that - depending on the number of does. If you are very concerned, have your buck fertility tested prior to breeding season. Otherwise, I don't think I would worry about it unless, of course, your buck runs from your does when you put him in with them - then I would worry. I've actually had that happen, and that year was interesting. I had kids, but they didn't start arriving until about 7 months later.

 

[WarPony]

I bought some of those waxy cattle paint markers and coated my buck's undercarriage with it (from just between his front legs to just in front of his important parts), refreshing it every two or three days. When he mounts the does it leaves a smear of blaze orange on their bum. I put an X on the calendar on that day. This is my first year doing it and so far he has only left marks on his wether friend, and that only on his side so clearly from rough-housing not actually breeding attempts. The first year I had goats I never ever saw my does come in to heat, be bred, have discharge, etc. and I was out there looking at them every single day. Every single one of them kidded for me, though, so he got the job done.

 

[mjs500doo]

I bought some of those waxy cattle paint markers and coated my buck's undercarriage with it (from just between his front legs to just in front of his important parts), refreshing it every two or three days. When he mounts the does it leaves a smear of blaze orange on their bum. I put an X on the calendar on that day. This is my first year doing it and so far he has only left marks on his wether friend, and that only on his side so clearly from rough-housing not actually breeding attempts. The first year I had goats I never ever saw my does come in to heat, be bred, have discharge, etc. and I was out there looking at them every single day. Every single one of them kidded for me, though, so he got the job done.

Love tail chalk. Been doing it for years. Works excellent. Either paint the buck or paint the doe.

 

[jdunton]

Wow...great idea. I thought there must be a way to tell. This morning he was much more aggressively trying to breed any one of them. More so than I've seen yet. But they would have no part of it. Because he's trying so aggressively does that mean they may be coming in? I only have him at my farm for a short time....so I wanted to make sure. He's been here for 3 weeks so far.

 

[jdunton]

I had a stud horse for awhile and although more dangerous.....it was easy to tell when the mares were ready to breed. Hand bred and it was done. Just had to wonder if he got it done before ovulation.

 

[HoosierShadow]

Hmm...
How long has the buck been with the does? It might be possible they are just starting their breeding season and he is sensing it?
Our bucks have typically not started to breed until August/September. We're in KY though.
If you are home in the afternoons and mornings to check on them, then I would. That seems to be our bucks most active times.

If the does are starting to come in season, maybe he's starting to 'work on them.'
That's what our bucks have done. Especially the one we have now. He was working on them the day he got here lol We've had him almost 3 weeks. He's bred at least 3 of the 5, but possibly the other 2 however, we didn't see him breed them, but did see discharge from one of them.

usually it's just a little bit of white goo coming out of them. Sometimes it can make their tails messy. So if they had clean tails before breeding, and have some goo/dried goo on their tail now, could be he bred them.

Some bucks will make a fuss when a doe is in heat, and will chase her for a day or two. Some won't.
Ours typically do, and aren't real shy about it LOL
In fact, Saturday we had some family here, we were playing basketball in the backyard and on the other side of the fence the buck was breeding one of our does LOL

Some does will get very affectionate with the buck, and they will stay together/buck will follow her around.

Hopefully they give you a sign 'soon' so you can have a date for breeding & know when they are due.

 

[jdunton]

Well.....The buck has been with the does for 3 weeks....and I am excited to report that this evening I can say without a doubt that at least one of them has been bred. Saw the gunk!! This after watching and wondering I am now sure what I am seeing. Yay!!