driveway breeding GOATS
This guide on driveway breeding goats will introduce you to a unique way to breeding your does without having to house a large buck on your homestead.
When raising dairy goats, you need to breed them routinely to keep them in milk. If you are worried about raising a buck or want to bring in a new line, renting is a unique option to consider.
Goat breeding doesn’t need to be stressful, and that is why this option is becoming more popular with homesteaders.
Homesteading is becoming increasingly popular today, and for good reason. Living a more self-sufficient life is a positive way to get back in control of your home. Homesteading allows you to grow and raise the food you eat allowing you to remove outside chemicals and enjoy a healthier diet.
Goat farming is an appealing form of homesteading because a small herd can fill your home with milk, cheese, soap, lotions, meat, and a consistent income. However, raising goats comes with one important aspect. To ensure you have milk flowing continuously, you will need to breed your goats.
Breeding can range from very involved to hiring others to oversee the job. Driveway breeding is an easier way to breed your herd without having to keep a buck that requires different care, feed, housing, and a care list that is unique to does.
Driveway Breeding Goats: Everything You Need to Know
Driveway breeding goats is a great way to grow your herd and keep the milk flowing without having to add a buck to your homestead. In this guide, you’ll learn all the ins and outs of driveway breeding goats.
What is Driveway Breeding?
Driveway breeding is a term that refers to a temporary breeding plan for a goat herd. It involves bringing in an outside buck to stay with the does for a day or sometimes longer, breeding one or all of a herd.
The breeding does not happen in a driveway but in a temporary set up that is usually an outside area that is securely fenced it.
Driveway breeding can be done on a regular basis or for a one-time event. If your homestead does not have the space or resources to keep a buck year-round, driveway breeding can be an excellent option.
Why Would You Rent a Buck?
There are many reasons why you might want to rent a buck for breeding your goats.
- It gives you access to new genetics that could improve the size or milk production of your herd.
- It can save time and money as you don’t have to worry about feeding, sheltering, and managing a buck year-round.
- It is a good option for midlife homesteaders as a large buck that is in heat can be hard to handle physically.
Why Is It Hard To Keep a Buck On Your Homestead?
Keeping a buck on your homestead can be difficult for many reasons with the biggest being the need for separate housing during the off season. This means a separate shelter, grazing area that is away from the does and young kids.
Bucks in heat tend to be more aggressive than does and often require more secure fencing to ensure they stay away from the does to prevent accidental breedings.
Large breed bucks also require more shelter space and special nutrition. This can make it difficult or even impossible for some homesteaders to keep a buck year-round.
Requirements for Keeping a Buck
If you do decide that keeping a buck on your homestead is right for you, there are few things to keep in mind.
- You will need to ensure that the buck has adequate fencing, shelter.
- You will want to feed them a buck diet that gives them the nutrition they need to thrive.
- You will need to provide regular health checks and vaccinations to keep him healthy.
I don’t want to deter you from keeping a buck, but I do want you to understand what is involved before you get started. I always had 1-2 bucks on our homestead and found it relatively easy to raise them without much incident.
If you want to raise a buck I have a few tips on how to keep a buck that you can read over.
Average Cost of Driveway Breeding
The cost of driveway breeding can vary depending on the type of buck you rent and where you find it.
Generally, the cost will average around $150-$250 for a breeding session. Sometimes, you can lower that cost by giving one of the offspring to the buck owner. Since most goats give birth to multiples, this will allow you to offset the cost and still have a kid to add to your own herd.
Be sure to discuss all your options prior to renting and even consider a contract to keep the terms clear for both parties.
How to Find a Good Buck for Driveway Breeding
The best way to find a good quality buck is to ask around at local farms, 4H clubs, or by visiting goat shows in your area. Our first buck was found at a local livestock fair, and he ended up being our best, most docile buck in our herd.
It’s also helpful to join online goat forums, as these are great places to connect with other homesteaders who may know of a buck that is available for rent.
Dairy Goat Reproduction: Breeding, Birthing, and Milking + Goat Milk Recipes
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Things to Consider Before Bringing in a Buck for Breeding
Before bringing in a buck for breeding, there are several things you should consider.
#1. You will need to determine the size of your space and whether or not you have enough room for a buck.
#2. You should also consider any potential health issues, such as worm infestations, that the buck may have when coming in from another location. Ask for health records of the buck so you know his history.
#3. When looking for a buck, it is important to research and find one with good genetics. Make sure you look at past breeding records of the buck along with their lineage.
#4. Ask about the buck’s overall temperament so you know just what you will be dealing with.
#5. Ask the sex ratio of kids. Does a buck throw more bucks or does?
#6. Don’t forget to also ask about any additional costs, such as transport fees or feed costs that may be associated with bringing in a new buck.
Your Checklist Before Bringing in a Buck for Breeding
When bringing in a buck for breeding, it is important to ensure you are prepared and taking precautions for the health and safety of everyone involved.
#1. Have a breeding area set up that will do the job well. Use secure fencing that has enough room for the doe to get acclimated to the buck without making it hard for the buck to do his job.
#2. Ask for a worm test of the buck prior to bringing him in. This will ensure you are not exposing your herd to anything new.
#3. Prepare your does for the stress of breeding. Feed them a healthy diet and make sure they are free of worms and parasites.
#4. Once the buck arrives, watch his behavior and make sure he is eating properly. Keep a close watch on the buck’s overall health and watch for signs something is off.
How to Driveway Breed
Preparing for breeding is usually the hardest part and once you bring the buck in, the rest of the work will be up to them.
I do have a few tips to help, however.
#1. Only put the buck in with your does that are currently in heat. If you are not sure who is in heat, you can get our list of 9 signs your doe is in heat to help.
#2. Watch the interaction at first to see if there are any issues between the animals. You should see your does scamper a way in the beginning mainly because this is all new to them. After a bit, if they are in heat, they should stand for the buck allowing him to mount her.
#3. Watch for signs that the breeding “took”. This is usually a string of mucus from the back end of the doe.
Making Money Renting Out Your Buck for Driveway Breeding
Renting out your buck for driveway breeding is a great homesteading tip and one that can bring in some extra money.
You can typically charge anywhere from $50-$150 for a breeding session on each farm. The price you charge will depend on the quality of your buck, the breed, and his lineage.
When renting out your buck, take precautions such as using a written contract and requiring payment upfront. Additionally, you should provide detailed instructions to the person renting the buck to ensure they take proper care of your animal.
By renting out your buck for driveway breeding, you can make extra money while helping other homesteads with their goat breeding needs. This is a great way to give back to your community and provide support for others’ dreams of owning goats.
Driveway goat breeding can be an excellent way to grow your goat herd without having to house a buck year-round. Reach out locally to see if there is a buck for rent in your area that you can use to breed the does in your herd.
If not, this may be an option you want to consider offering in your community. You can bring in a pretty decent income by providing stud service to local goat farmers in your area.
If you raise dairy goats but do not want to keep a buck on your property, driveway breeding goats is a great option to consider.
