The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: Arabus on October 25, 2016, 09:54:49 am
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Hi, Has anyone else noticed their goats are very late coming into season this year? I've seen a couple of small signs from a few of the girls, which have not lasted long at all, and none of the usual wagging and wailing...
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Same here. It's very frustrating as I wanted the girls covered early so I wouldn't be lambing and kidding at the same time ::)
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So pleased to hear that. Our first year, having bought does already in kid last year. The buck seemed full on for a while when he first went in but the does were largely uninterested after 5 weeks I still can't be sure if the deed is done or not. We were away twice for a week so may well have got on with it, but the helpers didn't see anything. It's going to be a long wait.
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Yes sometimes they come in late, last year mine came in late when I wanted them early! But when the herd matriarch came into season the rest did as well. They say it's to do with decreasing daylight but I think its more than that. I think blustery or frosty weather helps.
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I agree. I think that the very mild weather / late autumn are to blame. It's frustrating, but natural, and quite funny to be looking forward to all the yelling! Thanks for the replies, let's hope we get some lovely hard frosts soon...
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Mine haven't shown any signs yet but we were away for ten days (back just over a week ago). Our goat-sitters didn't mention it though and they know the signs. Mine never do come in early though. It's usually the end of October.
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Hmm....
I was starting to think I could take the bucks out again soon. I'm fairly sure they've all been covered but I'll leave them together till end of November in case.
I have got five resident bucks and five rams so a lot of pheromones whiffing around. I expect that makes a difference.
I'm having to put the groups out in turns to keep the kids and not breeding this year does safe having had the youngest buck kid jump fields.
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Live in north devon my dam had three days of bellowing 2 1/2 weeks ago.
New to goat keeping, what age do kids come into season?
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It'll probably be this autumn depending how old they are. Mine was June born and I expect her to start any day now.
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Was just thinking that this morning. None of my 6 have come into season yet!
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Must be one of the exceptions
Main buck started early
90% of mine came in season early.
Looks like i will have some very early kids by the look of things.
Only two or three left
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My goats of mixed breeds come in season nearly all year round lasting for a couple of hours july and august and up to two days in dec jan and feb its not the boys you have to watch the girls jump gates run across the fields jump in with the boys if given the chance (some have) It can be crazy at times but all year round milk.
The girls and the boys are free to roam with use of big barns milked twice a day nothing different from any one else May be its this part of the UK
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I have spent many a weekend at Goatherd tas i thought goats running around screaming at the boys was all year round and normal like cows But there again the goats there are a hand full to the likes of me they open gates and if you tie it with string they can undo knots and open the gate every thing is bolted or screwed down taps are covered they can turn then on they never keep all their feet on the ground To a student its fun but i could not have goats 24/7 the stress the mayhem
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Earliest mine have been in season is last week of August and the latest first week of March. Mine only in season autumn /winter. But have heard of other peoples goats in season other times of year.
This year it has been glorious weather so I thought unlikely for them to come in early this year so I sponged them so looks like they have held so far due to kid last week of Feb. None of my kids have been in season yet but the 2 that I'm running thru came in to season the week after the ones who were sponged came in to season.
I have one goatling who did not hold but more to do with the male kid.(more interested in food than her) He's had one last chance if she comes back in season she will have to go to another male and then that'll be April kidding for her.
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Hmm, well I reckon he must have some the deed early on. The non marking doe kids in the next field are now all in season and driving him nuts. So moved them further away yesterday. The wethers have even joined in the fun. In the meantime the does that should be getting on with it are acting like a group of nuns. So I suspect Mr Buck has already been there.