[WalshKidsGoats]

Hi all!
Here's a question for all of you Nigerian breeders: How young can a Nigerian buck breed reliably? I know they "can" breed as young as two months, but in your experience, at what age do they really get serious? I have two bucks that are 5 and 6 months and I was hoping to use them for this breeding season. I've put them in with a few does and they just don't quite "get it" yet... I would hate to miss breeding some of my does this year because of some immature bucks! I would love to hear your opinions! Thanks!

 

[lottsagoats]

It may take a few days for the young bucks to figure it all out, but at 5 and 6 months, even the full sized bucks can get the job done.

 

[ksalvagno]

I have found that 8 months old is usually the age that they can be reliable. But certainly your 5 or 6 month old can get the job done.

 

[kbluebkeman]

My first year I bought two bucklings born in February. I acquired a third that was born early July but he was from a smaller line (Rosasharn's Water Tabby) so I was not comfortable putting him with the older larger bucklings. Maybe if there had only been one but not with two of them and they had established a friendship/relationship. So he overwintered in the barn with doelings a 3-4 months older than him.

By the time he was a year old he already had 5 (maybe 6) litters on the ground.......he bred them all and I never saw him at his business....lol.

 

[kbluebkeman]

On another note, I bought a bred doe only to later discover that she got bred by the two month old buckling in the paddock with his mother......not the spectacular buck she was suppose to have been bred too (babies came too early)......lol

 

[WalshKidsGoats]

Well after a few weeks of me worrying about it, they both figured it out!

 

[CAjerseychick]

Good to know! We are getting an 8 wk old Nigerian buckling in November....

 

[KW Farms]

I don't expect much until they're about a year. Some are quick learners...others take quite some time to figure it out.