Dairy Goat Breeding

Dairy Goat Breeding Questions Answered by ADGA

Dairy goats are usually seasonal breeders. Most breeding occurs in late summer through early winter. The goat has an 18-21 day estrus cycle or “season.” The doe’s “season” lasts from a few hours to two or three days. The gestation period is five months. Twins are common, but single or triplet births are not rare. A doe milks approximately ten months following kidding, then is held dry for two months before her next freshening.

Bucks have a strong musk-like odor during breeding season, but are not offensive with proper management. The doe has no odor at any time. Many small herds do not keep a buck if stud services are available from other local herds. Only bucks from high quality parents should be kept for breeding purposes. Artificial insemination is another option.

Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats

Yearling kids may be bred in the first year at 10-12 months of age, depending on if they have grown well and are of good size and condition. Body weight relative to breed is more important than age and can influence lifetime performance. In dairy breeds in the United States, many bucklings are fertile by 5 months of age, but successful breeding has occurred as early as three months of age. The doe kid may be able to reproduce at three months of age, but should not be allowed to do so, as her growth may be permanently stunted. To prevent this, buck kids should be separated from doe kids at an early age. If breeding doe kids is postponed much beyond 10-12 months of age, they will be less productive. Older kids are not as easily settled at first breeding and may have lower lifetime productivity.

Most goats are seasonal breeders, and their season is initiated by decreasing daylight. Thus, their season is from late August through January usually. However, goats can also be “fooled” into thinking that the short-day season has arrived by manipulating artificial light-hours per day and thereby initiating estrous cycles out-of-season. Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats can start their breeding season as early as mid July.

Increased Nutritional Needs Before, During and After Breeding Season in Goats.

A successful kidding season starts with good management practices to prepare goats for the breeding season.

If you are going to breed your does, it's time to make decisions regarding nutritional adjustments for flushing the herd. Flushing is the practice of increasing the plane of nutrition prior to the breeding season in order to encourage does to get pregnant, carry and deliver healthy kids. This is generally done by increasing the energy in the doe ration and should start two to three weeks prior to introducing the buck to the does.

With increased dietary energy, the doe will begin to increase body condition. This will then signal the doe's body that she will be capable of supporting the pregnancy and possibly have more than one kid. In turn, this will increase her ovulation rate, which should result in a higher kidding percentage, or more kids born per doe.

Energy can be increased in the ration by adding grain at a rate of one-half to one pound per doe per day or by moving the entire herd to a lush pasture. Many producers feed corn as the grain source, while others prefer a mixed grain formulation. The total amount of grain fed should be adjusted based on the body condition of the does. (Information credit goes to PennState Extension.)

AppleJo Farms is dedicated to breeding, nurturing and placing Registered Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats with Farms where they will flourish!

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