I am getting two bucklings from Debra and am very excited. It will be the foundation of my herd moving forward! Already have the name of the first doe I keep using these boys! Because I like my bucklimgs bigger and older for breeding- I was grateful Debra kidded (her does that is) recently. She is experienced with winter births. I am happy with this but reading all the losses makes me ask the question. Why winter births?
My first year lambing sheep - I had sheep arrive pregnant and lambed Jan, Feb, March. It was HORRIBLE! Cold, we worried, we had frostbite on ears of one lamb. And we had a nice set up, great heat lamps and all lambs survived but I vowed never to do winter birthing again.
Sheep people do this for lamb for Easter and early fall but why do goat people do it?
I opt to breed for mid April kids with my goats. Less cold, before serious flies. I might miss some early sales but I did fine.
I ask because if you are sad about the loss of the kids- imagine the mother goat. I'm not trying to be silly or anthropomorphic- I killed a kid last year with a disbudding issue and I witnessed the doe grieve! I want to maximize the survival - not just for me but for my goats. I also believe that as goats are here animals, stress and angst in a few animals affects the herd
I'm not suggesting it is wrong (winter births). It isn't my choice but am wanting for my education to know why?
Judy
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Great question! I do it because it is part of my internal parasite control program. If we freshen does this time of year, there are zero parasite larvae on the pasture, so most of them don't need to be dewormed after kidding. If they kid in the spring when there is lots of rain and cool temperatures in the 50 to 70 degree range, that provides the perfect living conditions for internal parasite larvae to thrive on pasture. Combine that with the stress of kidding, and having to use a dewormer is usually necessary. Late summer is another great time because the pasture is dry, and it is hot (90 degrees +), which kills larvae through heat and dehydration. Unfortunately, getting goats pregnant to kid in August or September is not as easy as the books make it sound. Some does just do not cycle year round.
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Great question! I do it because it is part of my internal parasite control program. If we freshen does this time of year, there are zero parasite larvae on the pasture, so most of them don't need to be dewormed after kidding. If they kid in the spring when there is lots of rain and cool temperatures in the 50 to 70 degree range, that provides the perfect living conditions for internal parasite larvae to thrive on pasture. Combine that with the stress of kidding, and having to use a dewormer is usually necessary. Late summer is another great time because the pasture is dry, and it is hot (90 degrees +), which kills larvae through heat and dehydration. Unfortunately, getting goats pregnant to kid in August or September is not as easy as the books make it sound. Some does just do not cycle year round.