I'm thinking of changing my breeding program to year 'round. I would like to keep just 4 does but breed 2 in the fall and 2 in the spring and only milk 2 at a time. Anyone doing this? What are the cons or difficulties I might face? Will I be able to sell kids in early winter?
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Thanks for your reply. I guess the worst that could happen is I only have 2 does with kids next year if I miss the opportunity to breed the other two.
Deborah, do you have any trouble selling kids in winter?
It seems that people who are farther south have better luck with breeding for fall kids. I have had two or three does kid in the fall a few times, but it is not consistent. In 2012 I decided I didn't want anyone kidding after February 2013 because of the parasite issue, so I didn't breed anyone after late September 2012, thinking I would just keep milking them and then breed them in April 2013. None of them came into heat after March! I was really disappointed. You shouldn't have any trouble breeding for January through June kids though, and that would still spread out your freshening a lot.
Yeah, I wondered, but my senior doe was bred in March last year when I got her and kidded in late August. So I guess she cycles in the spring and I hope her daughter will too but we'll see. I'm going to only breed two this fall and cross my fingers the other two cycle in the spring.
Good luck!! None of my does have been cooperative going into heat for Fall/Winter babies. :/