It’s dating season on the farm!!

Or, as the official folks call it, RUT season.

I think dates sound so much nicer… even if it does mean the girls a bit hussy.

This year, I’m going to try to breed all six of my does to the boys.

I’m staggering things a LIIIITTTLE bit, but not a lot.

This morning, Mini seemed to be ready, and in heat on an 18 day schedule. (Nigerians go into heat every 18-21 days.)

So I let her in with Milton, and they bred once. I am pretty confident that I caught her early in her heat, so I will try again tomorrow, and see if she will stand more than once for him. Lucy will be next. Lucy will be bred to Calvin.

Ginger will also be bred to Calvin.

NOVEMBER

Next month, Ina and Lavender will be bred to Milton. Harriet will be bred to Calvin. I really hope that she will keep her babies this time. Last breeding, she aborted, and I don’t know why… If her pregnancy fails again… well. We’ll deal with that if that happens.

So each of the bucks will have three dates this year. I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of kids Milton produces, because I’ll be keeping doelings from Lavender and Ina. I know that THEIR milking lines are good. We’ll see what Milton adds to their genetics when it comes to milking!

1. Ann @ makethebestofthings
   
   says

   January 20, 2014 at 10:12 pm

   Lordy, Rachel, this brings back memories from the 70s when my siblings raised goats. Goat dates, indeed! Let me put this out there, ram goats are nasty smelling fellows.

2. Rachel Whetzel
   
   says

   February 4, 2014 at 8:18 pm

   Yes, Bucks are definitely smelly fellows. lol I don’t really *get* why the girls love their stink so much.