[LouiseG]

In previous years my two BT goats have been really easy to tell when they are in season. They shout there heads of for a day and it was really easy to tell.
This year we have also got an entire billy goat kid (now 9 months old) he lives with the two girls and I am hoping he is mature enough to serve them this winter. However I have not heard or been able to tell when either of the girls are in season this time, they have not been heard to be shouting at all. Now I have two theories (1) they have not come into season at all yet or (2) they don't need to call for the billy as he lives with them and they have sneakily been in season and been doing it behind the bike shed !! without my knowledge.
Which is more likely? or does anyone have another suggestion.
Thank you 

[Penninehillbilly]

I think its (2)
Not normally something I would do, but I left my 2 yearlings with a male last year, never heard a sound out of them or saw tailwagging, but they kidded March and early April.
Working the dates out he must have been 7 months old. - also managed his mum and his Auntie while we were snowed in    - Luckily everybody kidded OK

[Anke]

Most likely option 2.

Although now you will be on tenterhooks as to when they exactly kid...

That's why I wouldn't run a billy with females all the time, but also  as I milk most of mine I would be worried about his BO tainting my milk. With a kid there is the added possibility of him needing some help/step to reach etc, so I prefer to hear the girls shouting and then supervise the mating.

[Penninehillbilly]

I agree Anke, last year we had a few problems, and at the time it seemed the easiest option to leave them running together, but come spring I seemed to spend hours working out when they may kid, ie what dates they were together (with breaks in the middle) and when he went, but they still caught me out, I did just happen to go in the barn as the smaller girl was kidding, and ended up just pulling a little to help her, leaving together is not something I'd do again.
Louis - are they seperated now or would it be possible to seperate them? at least that would narrow the kidding dates down, and then if they did come in season again they would shout for him?

[LouiseG]

Thank you all, yes they are still together but I could shut him in a stable down on the yard for a month or two but he would be on his own unless I could secure the yard fencing enough to keep in on it in which case he could have the company of one of the ponies. Would he be ok on his own? he's always lived with company initially some bottle fed lambs and later the nannies and their kids.
But I think I will separate him to find out if they are pregnant or not.
Thanks again, all advice is much appreciated