[Mikethegoat]

Just planning a small herd. What prices do people pay for stud fees. I want to work out if it's better to own a billy to potentially rent out, or use another. Thanks.

[Anke]

That all depends on where your nearest billy (of your chosen breed) is located and if your health status allows you to go visit someone else for stud. (Most breeders who offer stud services will now require you to have a whole-herd negative CAE test from within the last 12 months prior to mating). Very few breeders will nowadays offer boarding - the risk of picking up Johne's and/or CAE, CLA etc is just too high.


Also females often don't hold to service if a long journey is involved, either because they have gone "over" before they even get there or are not quite in season yet.


Unless you are severley restricted wrt space and location (i.e. if you have close neighbours that may object) I think keeping your own male is preferable - though he will need his own accommodation and a wether companion. Also selling on adult males - unless the pedigree is out of this world - is nigh on impossible... and while the meat of wethers is fantastic, I have so far baulked at eating meat from entire males. Handling entire adult males also requires a bit of strength.


Lots to think about before you decide either way.

[Penninehillbilly]

What sort of goats, meat or dairy?
If meat, or maybe dairy dams and using a boer type male, buy male, once confident they have held, either sell him on, or wait till spring when his smell goes, and weigh him in.
That way, if bought from a responsible tested herd, you can be sure you aren't picking up problems from previous females he's been with.