Goat Breeding Supplies
If you have dairy goats, then breeding them is one of those tasks on your annual project list because if you raise dairy goats, you will need to breed them to keep the milking coming. If you have never bred your goats before, this list of goat breeding supplies will help you to get prepared.
These goat breeding and goat kidding supply tips will help you to successfully breed your does to keep the milk flowing all year long.
Breeding goats can be scary, especially if this is your first time out. If you are anything like I was, you may have many questions, and you may be confused about your role. The good news is your goats know what to do. The bad news is they may not want to do things on your timeline. That’s why it’s important to understand all that you can about how your animals breed so you can set up a breeding routine for your herd that you can follow year after year.
More Goat Breeding Help:
When should you breed your goats?
The timing for breeding your goats is important because you want your kids born in a good weather period. Typically, goats breed during the cooler months of fall and early winter. This is known as the “rut” period when most goats are naturally fertile. By timing the breeding, you can ensure the kidding happens when it’s best for your area.
If you breed in the fall and early winter, you can expect kids to be born in later winter to early spring. Where we live, spring is better for the weather but winter is better for selling kids in the summer. Know your goal so you can better plan out your breeding times.
How long is a goat pregnant?
A goat’s gestation period, or the duration of pregnancy, typically spans around 150 days, roughly five months. However, it’s important to note that this period may vary slightly between individual goats and breeds. We have a free calculator that you can use to see when kidding times will be. Just enter a breeding date, and the kid time will automatically show up. This calculator is a great tool to bookmark for later use.
READ: Goat Gestation Calculator
Goat Breeding Supplies
Having supplies on hand for breeding will help you to feel more prepared. The good news is your goats know just what to do, even if they have never done it before. Your role in all of this is to ensure your goats are physically prepared to handle the rigors of breeding as well as the pregnancy during the winter. Keep the nutrition of all your goats at the forefront of your care and you will raise a healthy and hardy herd.
Pasture Breeding
Pasture breeding is allowing your goats to breed as nature intended. When you allow your goats to breed in a wide open area such as a pasture, your does will have more say in when they want to be bred. This breeding method is not the best way to breed if you have a small window open for kidding. Even though pasture breeding is harder to control, I do feel this type of breeding is the least stressful for everyone in the herd.
Supplies to Have for Pasture Breeding
- Breeding Buck Harness: This harness, fitted with a crayon, helps identify which does have been bred. When the buck mounts a doe, he will leave a mark on the back letting you know the attempt has been made. This can be helpful to identify which goats have been mounted.
- Marking Crayon Blocks: These are used with the harness to mark the does.
- Secure Fencing: To prevent unwanted pregnancies, you’ll need secure fencing to separate non-breeding goats from the breeding pair. We prefer to use an electric fence as this does the best to deter even our most determined goats.
- Vitamin and Mineral Supplements: Giving free choice supplements can help ensure your goats receive the necessary nutrients both before and during the breeding season.
- First Aid Kit: For any minor injuries or health issues that may happen during breeding.
- Breeding Record Book: To keep track of breeding dates, potential birthing dates, and other important notes regarding the breeding process. You can see all of our Goat Care Digital Products here.
- Shelter: A protected area or barn is important to give does and bucks a break from the elements during the breeding season.
- Food: A source of water and plenty of good quality hay.
Breeding Supplies:
Premier Nylon Marking Harness for Sheep Breeding
MATINGMARK Sheep & Goat Mating Crayon Block Marker for Ram Breeding/Marking Harness by Rurtec, 3 Pack (MILD Temperature) RED, Blue, Green, Made in New ZealandPurina | Goat Mineral Supplement for All Types and Lifestages | 25 Pound (25 lb) BagKANE Sheep/Goat Mineral Feeder
Pen Breeding
Pen breeding is another method of breeding goats where the doe and buck are intentionally placed together in a confined space, usually for a short period of time. This method offers more control over the breeding process, allowing for precise tracking of breeding times, and ensuring a more predictable kidding period.
With pen breeding, there’s less risk of unexpected or unwanted pregnancies, provided the goats are properly supervised and separated after breeding. It is important to note that this style of breeding requires constant supervision.
Supplies to Have for Pen Breeding
- Separate Pen: You’ll need a pen that is separate from the herd and is large enough in size for both of your breeding goats to be inside comfortably. This size will vary depending on the breed of goat you raise.
- Breeding Buck Harness and Marking Crayon Blocks: Just like in pasture breeding, these tools can help identify which does have been bred. Even if you are supervising, breeding is fast and once glance away is all you need to miss it happening.
- Vitamin and Mineral Supplements: Giving free choice supplements can help ensure your goats receive the necessary nutrients both before and during the breeding season.
- First Aid Kit: This is still a necessity in case of any minor injuries or health issues.
- Breeding Record Book: Pen breeding requires meticulous record keeping for best results.
- Food: A source of water and plenty of good quality hay.
First Aid Supplies
Dr. Naylor FA Dressing Blu-Kote Aerosol (4.5 oz.) -Fast Drying Antiseptic Wound Dre 3 PackTransun Moo 6 Pack 2Durvet Blood Stop Powder 16 OzDurvet 101295 High Level Vitamin B Complex Yellow.250Ml
Hand Breeding
Hand breeding in goats is an approach where the doe and buck are controlled during the mating process. The handler, usually the farmer or breeder, brings the doe to the buck for mating, keeping a hold of the doe to ensure the breeding takes. The handler supervises the act to confirm successful copulation and then separates the two immediately afterward.
SLCG Pro Tip: Please do not do this method of breeding unless you are experienced in handling your goats. This type of hands-on breeding can cause injury, so only do this if you have the ability to.
This method offers the highest control over the breeding process, allowing for accurate breeding records, and helps prevent any possible injuries or aggressive interactions. It is labor-intensive on the owner’s part but it ensures that the breeding is done at the optimal time.
Supplies to Have for Hand Breeding
- Handling Gloves: Since this process requires physical contact with the animals, sturdy and comfortable handling gloves are necessary for safety and comfort.
- Leads and Collars: These are used to direct and control the goats during the breeding process.
- Breeding Record Book: An essential tool for accurate record keeping, tracking each doe’s breeding progress and cycle.
- First Aid Kit: This is for immediate treatment of any minor injuries that could occur during the process.
- Vitamin and Mineral Supplements: Giving free choice supplements can help ensure your goats receive the necessary nutrients both before and during the breeding season.
- Food and Water: A source of clean water and good-quality hay should be made readily available.
Record Supplies:
Five Star Personal Spiral Notebook, 1 Subject, College Ruled Paper, 7Sooez Clipboard with Storage, Plastic Storage Clipboard with Low Profile Clip, Heavy Duty Nursing Clipboards Foldable, Coaches Clipboard Case for Work Kids, Teacher Must Haves, Office School SuppliesDairy Goat Reproduction: Breeding, Birthing, and Milking + Goat Milk RecipesThe Backyard Homestead Guide to Raising Farm Animals: Choose the Best Breeds for Small-Space Farming, Produce Your Own Grass-Fed Meat, Gather Fresh Eggs, … Rabbits, Goats, Sheep, Pigs, Cattle, & Bees
The breeding style that you choose will all depend on your setup, stamina, and goat-handling experience. I suggest letting things happen naturally your first time out. It’s true you will have less control over kidding times but seeing how your buck behaves as well as your does and how the entire process takes place is an experience that can really grow your knowledge and confidence.
Use this list of goat breeding supplies to get yourself, your barn and your herd prepared for breeding season.
Goat Kidding Resources:
