The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: egglady on October 23, 2011, 07:51:21 pm

Title: how can i tell when my girlie is ready for the billy?
Post by: egglady on October 23, 2011, 07:51:21 pm

just that really....i've been watching her closely for a few weeks but nothing really showing so i know.....help please for novice goat keeper :(

Title: Re: how can i tell when my girlie is ready for the billy?
Post by: melodrama on October 23, 2011, 08:09:58 pm

I can't help egglady but as I am in the same position I look forward to the answers.
Melanie

Title: Re: how can i tell when my girlie is ready for the billy?
Post by: plumseverywhere on October 23, 2011, 08:22:06 pm

Because we don't have an entire billy on our land, Savannah's seasons pass by fairly quietly - she wags her tail a fair bit and can get a bit noisier than normal and I have sometimes seen some discharge by her vulva but nothing on the performance that my billy keeping friends see from their does!  Can you get a billy rag from someone (keep it in a jar to keep the billy's scent nice and strong and not make your whole house stink!) and see if smelling that provokes a reaction from her  :) 

Title: Re: how can i tell when my girlie is ready for the billy?
Post by: little blue on October 23, 2011, 08:33:12 pm

you'll hear her!
bleaty, generally "ars*y" and lots of tail flicking.
she might be more "clingy" to you ... or totally the opposite.

she'll go into a "standing heat" - where pressure on her back will keep her still for mounting, keep a note of the behaviours & time leading up to this, this is when you need the billy the next season she has - 3 weeks ahead.

Title: Re: how can i tell when my girlie is ready for the billy?
Post by: Anke on October 23, 2011, 09:10:17 pm

They do not all shout... my GG's certainly scream (and yes I mean scream!), but the BT's are completely quiet... tailwagging, some discharge (sometimes) and when they are outside trying to ride each other.... A billy rag is essential if you do not have your own billy - it can be safely posted inside a double plastic bag and then in a jiffy bag - I have not yet been taken off the Royal mail delivery list!

However one fairly certain method is to put a sponge in (vet will do it for you), take it out after 12 to 14 days, and then two to three days later she will be in season. Billy rag will confirm it (unless you have a GG - you will need ear plugs for those girls!) No PMSG injection required. I have used this method from my first year on, it has so far not failed me and if you have more than one goat to go (and to different places) it is the only way to manage it. It also helps if you have two girls going to the same place - billy will be happy to do it twice!

Title: Re: how can i tell when my girlie is ready for the billy?
Post by: chickenfeed on October 25, 2011, 07:55:06 pm

Quote from: Anke on October 23, 2011, 09:10:17 pm

They do not all shout... my GG's certainly scream (and yes I mean scream!), but the BT's are completely quiet...

lucky you mums BT's scream for england when they come in  ;)

Title: Re: how can i tell when my girlie is ready for the billy?
Post by: colliewoman on October 25, 2011, 09:02:51 pm

my girls showed no signs what so ever until billy arrived here. then very quiet whinnying but loads of tail wagging and backing up to him. shame he was never interested ::) :'(

Title: Re: how can i tell when my girlie is ready for the billy?
Post by: egglady on October 25, 2011, 09:16:32 pm

thanks all.......thought it might be a bit more straighforward than all this :( :-\

Title: Re: how can i tell when my girlie is ready for the billy?
Post by: Anke on October 25, 2011, 09:52:02 pm

Quote from: egglady on October 25, 2011, 09:16:32 pm

thanks all.......thought it might be a bit more straighforward than all this :( :-\

Have you got any billy owners nearby to get a smelly rag from them? Once you have the rag, whenever thy seem to be a bit tail-wagging in the morning, just let them sniff it and it will be obvious if they are in season. (If they are not they will try and eat it!)

If your goat is dry, some stud owners will let girls board, but make sure you know which billy they will use for her and check out the facilities beforehand.

Title: Re: how can i tell when my girlie is ready for the billy?
Post by: little blue on October 26, 2011, 07:39:35 pm

Quote from: egglady on October 25, 2011, 09:16:32 pm

thanks all.......thought it might be a bit more straighforward than all this :( :-\

Don't Panic!!
When she starts, you'll probably know .... take it from there  :)