[Cedarwinds Farm]

I had an old Pygmy buck from the Zoo that lived to 17 years, if the zoo paperwork was correct.
I currently have one doe who will be 13 this year. She faithfully pops out one buck kid each spring, always the biggest, fattest baby here, she was mooching up to the buck yesterday. I have kept her all these years waiting on just one doe kid because she's a mean little stinker who bites people but is the easiest keeper, almost worm-free, good-footed & healthiest goat ever. So I want her genes in the herd.
I have 2 eight year olds still healthy & shiny, they are co-herd queens.
Barring accidents, mine usually pass between 12 and 15.
But I have to say, despite years of goat-proofing, my #1 cause of death here is still death by misadventure, no matter the age.

Maybe that doe is telling you that you need to keep a buckling and continue her line that way.

 

[Cedarwinds Farm]

@Orcakat I have been wondering the same things. My oldest goats are only 4ish, so I hopefully have a long time before I face the possibility of losing one.
I think, with any animal, the care, and understanding what they really need, makes a huge difference. When we raised rough collies, our original dogs only lived to a maximum age of 10. Since we changed some things in their management, we had one live to 12 and an half (and I think she would have lived longer, if she hadn't been hit by a car, resulting in ongoing health complications). And one will be 10 in January and still going strong.