Author Topic: Running Billy with Herd  (Read 3016 times)

ScotsGirl

  • Joined Dec 2009
  • Wiltshire
Running Billy with Herd
« on: March 01, 2014, 09:55:48 am »
Do many of you with small herds allow your billy to run with the girls all year round? Do goats come in season all year round or are they seasonal like sheep?


I let all mine out today with their kids but forgot about billy. He has been penned next to them and doesn't seem to mind the odd kids escaping and playing in his pen.


Should have given the neighbours ear plugs!!

jinglejoys

  • Joined Jul 2009
Re: Running Billy with Herd
« Reply #1 on: March 01, 2014, 11:58:25 am »
During the mating season I run one male with the girls,possibly putting another with a separate group otherwise the boys go out at night and the girls group during the day. After the mating season they run with the girls for a couple of months

sokel

  • Joined Jun 2012
  • S W northumberland
Re: Running Billy with Herd
« Reply #2 on: March 01, 2014, 12:26:14 pm »
We have ran William out with the girls and their kids when they are young but he is very gentle with them and does not pester the girls. Once the kids are a bit older they never go out with him
Some of our 2013 kids that where born early march where in season in August  :-\
 I do know someone that had to lots of kids in a 13 month period off the same Boer Doe when she ran the billy with them all year round
Graham

Anke

  • Joined Dec 2009
  • St Boswells, Scottish Borders
Re: Running Billy with Herd
« Reply #3 on: March 01, 2014, 02:23:06 pm »
If you only have one billy, get a wether as companion, and have girls out during the day and boys in the evening, if your paddock is secure and has a shelter they can wander into, I would leave them out all night.

My billy (and his wether friend) has a look-out window into the paddock, so he can watch the girls during the day, then goes out for a wee while just before it gets dark.

One of my milkers (not pregnant but running through) was strutting her stuff in front of his window this morning, even though no tail wagging or other signs of them being in season. Better not to take a chance...

 

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