I have three does who are all kidding at once. I have one healthy, lusty little female already delivered, and two due any minute. Today was such a beautiful sunny day I let the doe and her three day old kid out into an enclosed pen. My billy kept trying to keep the doe from her kid, running between them, sticking his tongue out, -- basically driving her crazy, until I got him out of there. I'm rather new at this, so, do I keep him away from the females and the kids? Is this a mating thing happening already? Thanks in advance.

-- JoAnn Young (younguno@bellsouth.net), January 04, 2002

Answers

I keep my billy goat separate all the time until we're ready to start breeding the does. I swear the milk tastes better when the buck isn't around them as well.

-- CJ (cjtinkle@getgoin.net), January 04, 2002.

Does can recycle after kidding, all though 3 days is a little soon. Doelings can also be bred at a couple of months of age. I would recommend keeping them seperate, the doe doesn't need the stress of kidding plus being harassed by a buck.

-- Leslie in Western WA (sundaycreek@gnrac.net), January 04, 2002.

I have had some nutty bucks try to breed the does while they are kidding. Must be the change in hormones during labor. They aren't sure what the deal is and figure she needs to be bred. I keep my bucks penned separate except for breeding season. Just makes life easier.

-- Tana McCarter (mcfarm@totelcsi.net), January 04, 2002.

I have been wondering the same thing. How about YOU take the plunge and let me know how it goes? ;-) Maybe write your own book--- THAT might be the profitable part!!

-- Tana McCarter (mcfarm@totelcsi.net), January 04, 2002.

SOrry about thatlast post--- I am new at this and got my self in the wrong place!! :-) Tana

-- Tana McCarter (mcfarm@totelcsi.net), January 04, 2002.

JoAnn, I think it is a bad idea to have the buck with newly kidded does and with very young does. My Nubians can breed almost anytime here in Kansas and I don't want that to happen. I have my 2 does who will kid soon on a separate but adjoining pen and my 2 doelings in another pen. Otherwise I would put old Pretty Boy Floyd in a pen all by himself. That will happen soon anyway. Oh, congrats on the doe kid!! that's what I am praying for too. karen

-- Karen in Kansas (kansasgoats@iwon.com), January 04, 2002.

Thanks for all the great advice. The billy stays seperate, but able to see everything, until the little ones are much bigger. The does seem to enjoy being together, but are much calmer knowing they have privacy and a hassle-free atmosphere.

JoAnn

-- JoAnn Young (younguno@bellsouth.net), January 04, 2002.