Posted by Vicki McGaugh on December 22, 2000 at 20:27:09:
In Reply to: Re: Breeding Question(s)! posted by Sherry on December 22, 2000 at 18:18:28:
Without using lights to lengthen the day, which I believe is what happened at Bernice's? You will not get many dairy does coming into heat during the spring. Our last heats are usually January on virgin does, though we can rebreed some of our does who just kidded in December, in Feburary, and the bucks are rareing to go. Then we have no heats at all until July. Is their anyway you can lease a buck? Bringing the buck to the doe is the best way to insure she is bred, and since she is not stressed from the move she will ovulate more eggs, and you will have a better conception rate, I have proven this with my 4H group. This is the number one reason I don't agree with folks who tell new folks not to get a buck. You could purchase a good quality buck that is born in December, very cheaply if you raise him yourself from birth, use him that following year, and then sell him right after his first birthday, or butcher him, or trade him, and get another buckling. This way you don't have the stinky older buck around, and other than your very young does, this buckling can live in with the adult does year round. If this breeder won't let you lease their buck than find another breeder who will either let you lease or keep your doe over at their farm with the buck for several weeks to insure conception this month! Vicki