We are considering buying our first breeding buck this summer/fall to service our does. I would love it if some of you that have experience buying bucks, and breeding them, would give your two cents. I found this link (http://nigeriandwarfgoats.ning.com/forum/topics/advice-on-buying-goats) here on this forum which has helped tremendously.
One particular buck we are looking at comes from a solid pedigree (I've looked into it personally), and a great farm. I guess my only concern would be that he was born in April of 2012. At four years old, is he still in his prime? At what age is a buck past his prime. I realize all bucks are different, but I guess I'm just looking for some norms.
Some other questions I have:
1. What does a simple/typical breeding system/pattern look like... i.e. what is line breeding and what does it look like (in layman's terms)?
2. How often should you rotate your bucks out and bring in new ones?
Thanks in advance!
Replies
I agree with Deborah - if well cared for a four year old buck is in his prime. I bought an older Nubian buck years back and had him for quite a few years before a divorce caused me to sell him.
I have Nigerians now and my bucks have been raised from babies. With an older one you can evaluate his temperament and see how he handles but with my little ones it can be a toss up when they mature. I don't line breed my girls.
I have a few katahdin sheep and line bred daughters back - they are not nearly as nice as my older does. I wouldn't try it on my goats. It is not that big a cost to feed a small buck -compared to caring for a large katahdin ram.
I also don't like to keep a buck alone. My older buck has a wether for a companion and the two babies I bought this year are together in another area.
A 4-year-old is still in his prime. Assuming he is getting good nutrition, he has a few more years in him. I never had a problem with fertility in my bucks until one turned 8 years old. It seems most bucks only live to 9 or 10, which is quite a bit fewer years than does.
You can linebreed or even inbreed as much or as little as what you feel comfortable with. Some people will purposely breed a doe back to her father to try and force out any undesirable traits. If you can a father-daughter breeding and not wind up with any serious faults, then the buck is probably quite sound genetically. If a goat is born with extra teats or something like that, they can always be sold without papers.