Goat Breeding 101 Getting Started

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Raising dairy goats is what I like to call a fun adventure with perks like fresh, creamy milk. If you want to keep the milk flowing all year long, you’ll need to know a thing or two about goat breeding.

Now, if the thought of goat breeding and kidding (handling newborn goats) has you feeling a bit nervous, you’re not alone. But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with this easy to understand guide that will help you get started with confidence.

Why are Dairy Goats so Popular?

Dairy goats are super popular, and it’s easy to see why. Their milk is fresh, creamy, and loaded with nutrients. For a lot of people, it’s easier to digest than cow’s milk, which makes it a great choice if you have any sensitivities. And let’s not forget how versatile it is—you can drink it straight, use it to make delicious homemade cheese and yogurt, or even make your own soaps.

Plus, dairy goats are surprisingly productive, especially with the right milk-producing breed, so even a small herd can keep you stocked up on milk.

People also love them because they’re so easy to manage compared to bigger animals. Most dairy goats are friendly and curious, and they don’t need tons of space or a massive amount of feed. That makes them perfect for smaller farms, midlife homesteaders, or even backyard setups.

If you’re into sustainable living or just want to produce more of your own food, dairy goats are a good and practical choice.

Why do I need to breed my goats? 

If you have dairy goats because you love the milk, here’s the scoop—you’ll need to add breeding to your homesteading checklist. Yes, to keep the milk flowing, your goats need to have kids. It’s just part of the process.

Breeding goats might feel like a big step, but this guide will help to make it easier for you. Honestly, I feel like I’ve learned twice as much about goats as I’ve actually had time raising them, so I get it—there’s a lot to figure out.

So, If you’re new to this and have questions, you’ve landed in the right spot.

Dairy Goat Breeding 101: A Quick Overview

Before we really dig in, let’s go over some basic goat terms—it’ll make this whole process a lot easier to follow.

• Buck – This is a full-grown male goat.
• Buckling – A young, baby male goat.
• Doe – Full-grown female goat.
• Doeling – A baby female goat.
• Rut – This is when your buck is in the mood to breed—and trust me, you’ll know when it’s happening.
• Heat – This is when a doe is ready to mate. She’ll show signs too, so you won’t miss it.
• Kidding – Simply put, this is when your doe gives birth.

With these terms under your belt, you’ll feel a whole lot more confident as we go forward. Get our complete list of Goat Terms here.

Goats and Breeding Seasons

Did you know that most goat breeds are seasonal breeders? This means they naturally go into heat during specific times of the year, usually in the fall and winter. For most, this can happen anywhere between July or August and run through January or February.

Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. Some breeds, like Nigerian Dwarfs, Boers, Pygmies, and sometimes Nubians, can be bred year-round. If you are raising any of these breeds, keep that in mind when planning your herd’s breeding schedule.

Here’s a lesson I learned the hard way—just because your goat is known to be a seasonal breeder doesn’t mean you’re in the clear to house your bucks and does together during the off-season. Absolutely not!

If you leave a buck and doe together any time of the year, don’t be shocked if you end up with a surprise breeding on your hands. The best way to stay in control of when your goats have their kids is to keep the bucks and does in separate living spaces until you’re ready to breed them.

Trust me, it’ll save you a lot of unexpected surprises!

SLCG PRO TIP: If you must house bucks and does together you may want to invest in a buck apron. I have not used these aprons myself but I have heard good things about them.

A buck apron is basically a heavy-duty apron that is made out of suede or leather. It is tied at the front underbelly of the buck and acts as a “shield” of sorts, helping to prevent penetration between the buck and doe.

This is not foolproof, however, because as I said before, nothing really is, but it is a nice safety precaution to have set into place on your hobby farm. 

Housing Bucks

To really be sure you are the one in charge of breedings, you will want to keep your male goats separate from your female goats. You can see how we house our buck on our homestead to get an idea of what you need.

Basically all you need is a shelter for them to get out of the weather, an area where they can graze, and a spot for feeding and giving care.

Breeding can happen at any age

Here’s something you might not realize—bucks can start breeding as young as 7 weeks old. Personally, I’ve never had an issue with young kids breeding my older does since I raise large Nubians—they just aren’t tall enough to make it happen. However, I prefer to be safe than sorry.

To avoid any accidents, it’s a good idea to move the bucklings to their own space when they’re around 8-12 weeks old. A little prevention now will save you a lot of surprise pregnancies later.

You can easily set up a kid pen with your herd by sectioning off a smaller section of the barn using pig steel panels or steel wire goat fencing.  See how we set up ours here for ideas: HOW TO SET UP A KID PEN

Breed does at the right age

You should wait to breed a doeling until she is at least 8-10 months old or at a size that can handle the weight of your buck. This is just a good rule of thumb to follow and a good ethical animal-raising practice.

An uncomplicated pregnancy is always our goal so the best advice to follow is to wait to breed your goats until they are physically ready to handle it.

On our homestead, we like to wait until our does are a year old before we begin goat breeding. Since we raise Nubians the bucks are on the large size, and we want to make sure our gals can support his weight. 

Goat Breeding takes seconds

The actual act of goat breeding only takes just a few seconds which means if you blink you may miss it. The first year I tried my hand at breeding I was convinced that none of my 4 does were bred. Why? Because I never saw my buck “do the deed”.

That entire fall and winter, I believed he had failed.

One afternoon I was outside with my husband working on the barn. I noticed one of my does standing in the corner with her head pressed against the wall. I ran over to her knowing that this is a sign of a goat in labor.

Is she nesting, stretching, or suddenly acting sweet? These 13 Goat Kidding Signs will help you spot labor before the first push.

Sure enough, just a few short minutes later, she gave birth to a healthy set of twins. And you know what? Close behind all the other does delivered kids as well. That year, I learned that breeding is quick, and if you blink, you definitely will miss it!

You Don’t Need to Own a Buck

Good news—you don’t actually need to own a buck to breed your goats. Instead, you can rent one and arrange “dates,” either at your place or at the buck’s home turf. This is called driveway breeding, and it’s the perfect option if you’re just starting out or have a smaller setup that doesn’t need a resident buck.

Finding a buck to rent is easier than you might think. Check with your local feed mill, rural want ads, or even check out Facebook groups or Craigslist.

The cost of renting will vary depending on where you’re located, but to give you an idea, here in Northwestern Pennsylvania, rates typically start at $30-$75 for the first doe. If you have more ladies to breed, expect to pay an extra $10-$15 per doe.

Of course, as with anything, quality matters. If you’ve got your eye on a top-tier buck, be ready to shell out a bit more.

Heat Cycles of a Doe

A doe goes into heat every 21 days and the actual cycle lasts 1-3 days. I highly advise you know the cycle of each of your does. When you only have a window of 3 days to breed, knowing the 21-day mark will make things so much easier for everyone.

I like to use a calendar like this one. It is an easy and inexpensive way to keep track of heat cycles for a herd. At the end of the month, I will transfer notes to individual files for each goat. 

When is the best time to breed?

The best time to breed your goats will all depend on when you want them to kid. If you live in a cold area like ours, having kids in January may not be the best idea.

Baby goats are born wet, and if the temperatures are below zero, you will need to be there to assist with kidding to help dry off any kids before they freeze. 

At our place, we like to plan for kids to arrive when the weather is more forgiving—March through May is our sweet spot. To figure out your timing, pick the date you’d like your does to start kidding, then simply count backward to determine when breeding should take place.

Once you’ve nailed down that breeding date, mark it on your calendar so you know how much time you have to get everyone and everything ready.

If you want to know just when your goat will be due to kid, you can enter the breeding date here and get your target due date! GOAT GESTATION CALCULATOR

A buck imn rut is a determined buck

If you have bucks on your homestead, please make sure they are housed in a secure structure. If a buck is in heat and wants a doe, only a sturdy fence will keep him in.

Take the time to check your fence every few days to make sure nothing is getting loose. An unplanned pregnancy can quickly derail any breeding plan, so take the time before rut happens to make sure things are secure.

Bucks in Rut Are Smelly

There’s no way around it—bucks in rut are smelly, and the older they get, the worse the smell becomes. This offensive odor is their way of attracting does, sort of like wearing their version of cologne. To make it even stronger, bucks will urinate on themselves during rut, which they think is impressive—even if we don’t.

Managing the smell can be tricky, but a few steps can help. Keep their housing well-ventilated and provide plenty of fresh bedding to minimize the stench. If possible, set their pen further away from your home or where you milk to limit the impact. While it’s all part of owning a buck in rut, a little preparation goes a long way in making the season more bearable.

Ways to Breed Goats:

• Driveway Breeding Goats
• Cross Breeding Goats
• Pen Breeding Goats

Goat Breeding Prep Checklist

Getting ready to breed your goats? Here’s a streamlined checklist to help things go smoothly for you and your herd!

1. Set Your Timeline
   Decide when you want your kids to arrive and work backward to determine your breeding date. This will also help you determine when you need to start preparing, such as getting your does in optimal condition for breeding.
2. Health Check
   Ensure both your bucks and does are healthy and free of any conditions that could complicate breeding or kidding. Begin feeding vitamins and minerals that are appropriate for the breed and sex.
3. Prepare Housing
   Set up a safe, secure space for breeding. You can introduce the buck and doe for a few hours at a time or keep them together for a couple of months.
4. Check for Heat
   Only breed does when they are in heat to avoid stress or injury. Test this by walking your doe near the buck’s pen and watching their reactions.
5. Supervise New Pairings
   Always monitor young bucks or does during breeding. Over-breeding can exhaust or injure them, so provide breaks if needed.
6. Monitor and Record
   After a doe is bred, the buck will typically lose interest. If 21 days pass without her returning to heat, mark it on your calendar—she’s likely pregnant. Re-breed if needed.
7. Prepare for Kidding
   As the due date nears, stock up on supplies and be ready for any potential challenges during delivery.

Goat breeding is the most enjoyable, exhausting, rewarding, and amazing time on the homestead. With a little preparation on your part and safe and secure place for your goats to breed, you will be rewarded in a few short months with a barn full of adorable goat kids.

Goat Kidding Resources:

• Setting Up a Birthing Pen
• Setting Up a Goat Birthing Kit
• How to prepare for baby goats