To breed or not to breed

726 Views 19 Replies 12 Participants Last post by Dogs_with_horns, 2 mo ago

Strawberry

Discussion Starter · 2 mo ago (Edited)

I illuded to this on another thread, but because it was combined with another topic, I wanted to create a new thread to ask the question.

I bought a full nubian doeling a while back as a package deal. The 3 year old Mini Nubian was exposed, but turned out not pregnant. I have vetted a ND buck and he has been here for the past 4 days. I have just been putting the 3 year old in the pen with him and keeping the doeling separate as I hadn't really planned on breeding her just yet. I thought maybe she was too small still, but I am new to this breed.

My question is, she is a couple days shy of 9 months and REALLY wants in there, should I let her? She is flirty and her vulva is red and puffy. I dont know her weight. I have a tape, but haven't had assistance to get her to stand still long enough. She is still a little shy, but getting more accepting of touch and scratching.

I don't want to jeopardize her growth and health so I want your thoughts and opinions please. (Yes, I realize there could be shenanigans through the fence, but so far he is minding his manners.)

Please give me your opinions on her size and if she were your doe, would you breed her?

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Boer Mama

· #2 · 2 mo ago

Even tho she’s in heat and wants to get down to business, doesn’t mean it’s best for her.
She would probably have no trouble kidding by September especially with you keeping her feed requirement up to keep her growing along with her kids. But it may be best to wait another month or two…
Where he’s a nigie and she’s a full sized goat it shouldn’t be bad either way.

Reactions: 2

Lyreth

· #3 · 2 mo ago

I personally do not breed my Nubians at 9 months no matter their weight. In my experience they finish growing out much better if you wait a few more months.

Reactions: 4

Moers kiko boars

· #4 · 2 mo ago

I wait till mine are close or are 1 year old. They make better moms.

Reactions: 1

daisymay

· #5 · 2 mo ago

i personally wait to breed at 1.5-2 yrs. Its not worth it to me for early kidding. Does are still growing alot.

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toth boer goats

· #6 · 2 mo ago

I too wait until 1 and a half years old or close to that.

Reactions: 4

Goat Tamer

· #7 · 2 mo ago

Me too!

Reactions: 4

Strawberry

Discussion Starter · #8 · 2 mo ago (Edited)

Sounds like you all think she should grow up a bit more, even though she could likely physically have babies with this smaller ND. I think she is still mentally immature, only just recently separated from her mama. She has adopted the 3 year old as her step mama. Even looked to nurse from her the first few days they were here.

Maybe if the older girl has a buckling I could use him to breed her once she is older since they aren't related. 🤷‍♀️

Reactions: 5

MyParadiseFalls

· #9 · 2 mo ago

I know everyone else is saying to wait but personally I have a nubian doe around 9-10 months of age in with a nigerian dwarf buck currently and has been with him since a couple months ago. She hasn't come into heat yet but I think your doe certainly is big enough to breed.

Reactions: 2

daisymay

· #10 · 2 mo ago

since you share a fence line, she will likely be bred eventually. i would try to keep info n when she is in heat, just in case

I have nigerian dwarfs by the way, i dont have standard breed.

Reactions: 4

SayYesToGoats

· #11 · 2 mo ago

I don't have standard goats but she looks almost the same size as the other goat. I would breed her if it were me. It's not always about age. If she's really wide she should just fine and she's being bred to an ND which makes the kids smaller. I breed Nigerian dwarfs at 8-9 months if very wide and in good weight.

Reactions: 2

ksalvagno

· #12 · 2 mo ago

Sometimes you have to consider mental maturity too.

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SayYesToGoats

· #13 · 2 mo ago

All my yearling first fresheners were great mamas and loved their kids!

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goatblessings

· #14 · 2 mo ago

I would wait, given mental immaturity- and she needs to develop some width and body capacity. It’s a good plan to wait, as there are benefits.. breeding a young doeling does have some drawbacks.

Reactions: 5

toth boer goats

· #15 · 2 mo ago

It is wise to wait.

Reactions: 5

Strawberry

Discussion Starter · #16 · 2 mo ago

Thank you all for weighing in!

Reactions: 4

toth boer goats

· #17 · 2 mo ago

😉😊

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Dogs_with_horns

· #18 · 2 mo ago

My doe was bred at 6 months or so maybe a little older idk before I had bought her (I bought her pregnant I did NOT breed at 6 months I wouldn't do that) to a nd buck (Nubian cross doe) and she was a wonderful momma and had zero issues kidding. So you'd most likely have no trouble at all putting her with the buck. Goats, I believe, aren't done growing until they're like 3 years old so its a valid argument even to say don't breed a doe until she is three but not many people do that. Its up to you, your opinion, and if you want kids sooner than later. Whatever you chose, good luck!

Reactions: 2

Strawberry

Discussion Starter · #19 · 2 mo ago

Thanks! I have them separated and don't plan on her having babies this fall, but IF it were to accidentally happen it sounds like she will likely do ok.

Reactions: 2

Dogs_with_horns

· #20 · 2 mo ago

Strawberry said:
Thanks! I have them separated and don't plan on her having babies this fall, but IF it were to accidentally happen it sounds like she will likely do ok.

For sure. Well good luck with breeding when you decide to! I think you are right she will probably appreciate some time to grow

Reactions: 1

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