Instructions
Select healthy, normal-size does for breeding. Breed doe kids when they reach 70 to 75 percent of mature body weight. For example, a kid with a mature weight of 100 pounds is bred at 70 to 75 pounds. Doe kids usually reach the desired breeding weight at 7 to 12 months of age.
Worm and vaccinate the doe, and trim its hooves before breeding. Feed the doe so it is in good condition.
Select a buck with desirable conformation and sound production records. One mature buck will breed 30 to 40 does per year, while a young buck should breed half that number.
Consider using artificial insemination (AI) to breed the does. AI allows the use of semen from superior bucks and increases genetic improvement. However, the use of AI requires more labor, specialized training and extra equipment.
Select does of specific breeds for year-round kid production. Pygmy goats breed year round. Boer, Myotonic and Nubian goats are known for a long breeding season.
Flush the does prior to breeding. Flushing is defined as increasing the amount or quality of feed prior to breeding to increase the number of kids. Flush does two weeks before breeding and continue the program for three weeks after breeding.
Determine when the does are in heat or estrus. Does bleat, wag their tails and urinate more frequently when in heat. Often, the vulva swells slightly. Estrus lasts 12 to 48 hours. Does come into estrus every 18 to 21 days.
Introduce the does to the buck. Keep the buck with the does for about 45 days or for two heat cycles. Remove the buck after the breeding season.
Keep careful records. Record the length of estrus, the time between heat periods and the number of kids produced.
How to Breed Female Goats
While various breeds of goats differ in body size and color, female goats, known as does, have similar reproductive cycles. The gestation length for does is 146 to 155 days, or about five months. Most does give birth, or kid, once a year, often to two kids. Many goats are seasonal breeders, coming into heat, or estrus, during the fall and winter when the days are shorter.