Posted by Nat on April 05, 2001 at 18:14:42:
In Reply to: Now a barn question.... posted by Mary on April 05, 2001 at 06:30:14:
You can keep the little guy in the same barn as the does, just be sure to have VERY VERY strong gates, and high enough walls to prevent any unscheduled midnight marathons :-) A wether of the same age would be good to keep with him when the does are "off limits" or at shows, for company. They will tend to be rough with each other, but introduction at a young age should help them get along better. (less fighting, in most cases).
One of the drawbacks to having him in the barn with your does is that your barn in general will be rather "musky" (in nice terms) during rut.
Having a buck around is great - 1. you get your does cycling earlier in the summer (or more easily noticed heats) 2. no more doe in the back seat of the van at 10pm at night, after work in search of a buck 3. If you choose, you can offer him out to stud, helping pay for his keep.
Just be sure to have strong, secure fencing, and a nice strong home that is tall enough to keep him in. He may be cute and well behaved now, but with some beautiful ladies with wagging tails next door they become suprisingly athletic :-)
Good Luck Building!
-Nat's Little Bit Farm