It looks like Summer (Born 1/7/2011) may be coming into heat. She was calling a little when I came home from work which is not usual for her; she is always quiet unless there is a reason (like I took mom away last Friday). Unfortunately, I had to leave again right away so didn't have an opportunity to observe very much. Tonight, I checked and she does have some discharge. For the most part, what little I've seen of her today, she is acting mostly as usual. I did not open the buck rag jar for her to react to or not but will in the morning. I checked with the breeder and they will be home in the afternoon tomorrow so I will be able to take her out if it is the right time.
My question is, given her mom was bred just a week ago (due April 5th), should I breed her so close and have two litters so close together or would it be better to wait until next heat? This, of course, will be her first kidding (and only my second!).
Since I am totally a novice, is it better to have more time between kiddings?
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Summer is back home; it's interesting to watch them when they are reunited.
When I went out to put them to bed for the night, Capri was laying at the end of the 50-gallon pvc barrel on its side, open end the other direction. "Hey there, were are your daughters?" Up comes Capri, then Ginger comes out of the barrel, then Summer comes out of it. They were all bedded down for the night I guess. Wish I had taken the video camera, it was like the clowns coming out of the clown car. <g>
Oh, and Ginger is also in heat! But she is *not* going visiting; at not quite 7 months, she'll just have to tough it out. She is so funny with her now low bleating (think she is done with the loud stuff).
It looks like Summer is experiencing a mild heat. She is having a sleepover tonight with Legend so if she is in heat, she will be due a week after her mom. She wasn't as enthusiastic as her mom was last Friday but then this is her first time though she did appear to stand for him initially. She just wasn't at all sure what was going on but didn't run from him or try to butt him. Joann was going to check on them a bit later to be sure all was fine. And, they had an audience of the rest of the herd who went inside for treats when we went into the main barn - food always has priority!
When I put Summer in the crate in the car to take her out, Capri was going nuts - she wanted to go! Both Capri and Ginger were raising a fuss when I left and still were when I got back home three hours later (went by my son's house for a while after dropping off Summer).
It looks like I will have kids in April, maybe twice. :-)
Remember too, that it's not just kidding that will be time consuming. You'll have disbudding, etc. to take care of after babies are born, and when you get babies farther apart, you have to do it twice! Instead of all at once for things like tattoos. Personally, I like kids close together. I haven't actually DONE it yet, but I'll be doing it this coming spring. Two weeks apart. I also like the idea that kids will be close in size. Both of my moms to be are FF too, and I think they will do better being mommies together.
You'll get more advice from the experienced breeders on here, as you know, but the way I see it there are pros and cons to both. If you have two close together, you'll have a backup milk supply if something happens to one of the moms. In your situation it's better because your older, experienced doe will be kidding first and the younger one will be a week later and she's the *more likely* one to have problems. So you can save colostrum from the older doe and have it on hand in case you need for Summer's kid(s). However, depending on how busy your life will be in April, it may be better if they kid a month or so apart. Really though, if they are going to be dam-raised the moms will do most of the work! But I'm sure you already know that. Of course, it depends on if Summer does actually get bred this time or not and that's just something we can't fully control. So, just weigh the advantages against what may be disadvantages for you. I've only been doing this for a few years and those who have been doing it for 10+ years will have better advice so hopefully one or more of them will comment and help you make your decision. Whichever way it works out, I hope it all goes well for you!