I promised to share what I've been seeing after castrating my bucklings post breeding season.
It has been 2.5 weeks since Castration day.
At 2 weeks post procedure - older wether that one buck was living with started to challenge castrated buck and they've been head butting to determine rank over the last bunch of days. Prior to castration - the older wether never questioned where he stood.
At 2.5 weeks - tails on both castrated bucks started to have moments of un-winding. My bucks at least - maybe all bucks - had tightly wrapped "pig" like tail carriage. One thing I really dislike in bucks! So I'm delighted to see the tails start to be at relaxed status a bit - already!!!!!
Vet said the boys would be "safe" to be in with open does by 2 weeks. Vet hospital couldn't tell me but hedged their bets by saying - horses need 6 weeks - goats likely the same. Group here said better safe than sorry - so I'm going for 4 weeks and then assessment on interest.
All for now!
Judy
Replies
My herd is all does and the heats don't seem strong or even very visible at all when there is no buck around. When a buck come to live with the herd, then their heats seem 'stronger'' and more visible.
I didn't explain well what I was saying. After having lived with my bucks and my wethers this last year - I can comfortably/and did - let out the bucks with the rest of the herd when I knew no one was in heat. It was quite easy to watch the boy go through the girls and quickly determine that no one was in a receptive place. He was just another goat at that time although on the alert always for danger it seems.
So - yes - a wether will show interest and mount a girl in heat but there are lots of behaviors my bucks did that my wethers have never shown. Some related to interest or amount of interest.
I am sure there are many goats who have very silent or mild heats where one might need a goat to tell you, but so far - girls in heat at my place slap us across the face with it - very clear, very loud, very different and can't imagine missing it at all - with or without a wether around.
My last statement was merely for the interim period of time where it is up to me to know when I can let them mingle as I do chores versus keep the boys separate for the entire 6 weeks. I'm still not thrilled with the veterinary crowd really having no idea what to tell me when I ask.
I do have an idea on something to try - will report it it is successful.
Judy
I am not sure interest will be a good way to assess ertility. I've seen wethers who were wethered at 2 months show interest all their lives. In fact many people keep a wether so they can tell when their does are in in heat.