I see all these codes next to the names of the goats but have no clue what they mean or what I'm suppose to be looking for.
Is there a site reference that gives you a reference code on how to decipher the pedigree / milk production charts? Also, what would be considered good production? If a goat is registered is this information kept on the registration site for easy reference?
I'm interested in ease of milking, good personality, and milk production. Really not looking to show my goats. Then if I sell my goat kids would not showing their dam/buck effect the price I could ask for them?
So many questions and not sure if I'm asking the right questions...
Replies
Check out the Canadian Goat Society:
http://www.goats.ca/services.php
A lot of what I've read from the forums about picking your doeling is to look at the dam milk records. I know the US had the DHI records, doesn't anyone know about Canada?? I haven't been able to find anything about it.
Thanks, these links definitely helped. I'm sure I'll have to keep reading / looking up the codes but now I know where to find the information.
Lisa, you may want to start here: http://nigeriandwarfgoat.weebly.com/understanding-scores.html and see if this helps you out some. This is a page on the site for one of our forum members! Don't be surprised if it still seems very confusing! It really is to most of us but this should help you start to get the gist of things.
IMO As far as the pricing on your kids goes that is kind of a trick question with a tricky answer. A lot of that is going to depend on your market! If you keep good milk records and have sound stock with good production then anyone wanting good milk goats like you are not going to be put off by your lack of showing. Lots of us don't show and are more concerned with soundness, production and personality! The most important confirmation features to most of us who want milk are the ones that most directly affect production. Primarily the mammary system in does, and body capacity along with dairyness.
This discussion answers a lot of questions about how to read a pedigree:
http://nigeriandwarfgoats.ning.com/forum/topics/where-can-i-find-ou...
Most breeders on milk test will have the results on their website. You can get the info through the USDA website, but it's somewhat complicated.
If you own champion goats, then yes, their kids sell for more money, but buyers of show goats are not that common, so they don't sell as fast as kids from good milkers.