I hope this isn't a taboo subject, but I'm milking 5 full-size goats now (LaMancha and Saanen) and want to breed them all to a registered Nigerian I bought from good milking lines. I'm excited about the prospect of smaller goats, less feeding, and richer milk. And I think it will be easier to adopt out a mini kid vs a fullsize kid.
So, if you aren't already furiously typing a scorching response to my breeding plans.... My question is this: My ND is not so experienced in the bedroom. Last month, he gave it a try, but I'm pretty sure he just frustrated all the girls. They will be coming back in heat this week (for some reason they are all in sync). Is there some kind of contraption I can build?
Thanks for granting me permission to join your group!
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Are your girls born thus year old enough and heavy enough? I ask because I would not consider breeding my Ginger who is almost seven months old until spring even though she is a good size.
First, thankyou ladies for your responses. Since I've tried the milk stand and the pallet, and don't really want to make it a fullfledged threesome - lol, I've decided that I'll leave it up to nature and only mate him with two of my little girls (born early this year). That way, they will have smaller babies their first freshening. Fortunately I have a nice LaMancha buck that DOES know what he's doing. Have a great weekend!
If he's a kid, you may have some challenges. I've heard of people using all sorts of things to get the buck at the right height, and I've tried some of them -- a pallet with a piece of plywood on it, a milking stand, and a bale of straw. My milking stand was too high, but maybe it would have worked if the buck was smaller; the pallet was pretty close to being the right height. Ultimately, I don't think I ever had a buck breed a doe when I was helping though. The problem was generally the doe. My normally sweet, loving la mancha does would get absolutely ornery when they were in heat, and they didn't want me touching them, so I'd have a heck of a time getting them backed up to the spot where the buck was standing. I have heard other people, however, who said their doe was a total angel, and they backed her up to the milk stand where the buck was standing, and it worked perfectly. So, it's just lots of trial and error until you figure out what works.
I have heard of people doing different things the simplest of which is to try to back them up to a bale of hay. A lot of the answer to that will also come from your goats depending on how much they will let you help. I have had situations with animals ranging from a Rottweiler who required 3 hands on breeders ( He was twice her weight and she collapsed every time he mounted her. Took to people to hold her up from underneath and one to help him balance.) at every breeding to help and things went well, to animals that became totally disinterested if you were even watching. So if they don't mind you holding a collar etc. to back her up to something that may help. Isay be creative and do whatever it takes.
As far as your breeding minis. I say go for it! I hope to later!
lol I had the same issues when I tried to breed my Nubian to my breeder's ND buck!! lol Good luck. He was a pro, and he still couldn't get to her... but not for lack of trying!! Now, Deborah has bred large breed goats with her ND buck, so I know it CAN be done... She'll be able to help you help your boy figure it out. :)