How to Prepare for Bucks Breeding Season
If you are looking for a checklist that will help with preparing for buck breeding season, you are in the right place. Breeding can be hard on your buck and finding ways to help prepare him physically will help.
Get a simple approach to care, feed, and more so your buck can stand up to the rigors of breeding your herd. This is an important step to take each year with your goat breeding goat kidding routine.
When I first got into raising goats on our hobby farm, I never really considered all the parts I would need to learn.
Sure, I knew the importance of feeding them, I knew the difference between hay and straw, don’t laugh…I did not know this starting out! I even had a good grasp on housing, pasture care, and goat fencing.
One part, however, that wasn’t yet in my wheelhouse was preparing my buck for the rigors of breeding our herd of does.
If you are new to raising goats, then rut might be a new word and experience that you have yet to witness. So, before we dive into this guide, let’s first go over the basics of rut.
What is Rut?
Rut is when a male goat goes into heat. It is known as the period when he is able to mate and breed female goats in your herd. This means he will have a surge of hormones that will make him very willing and extremely determined to breed any goat that he smells in heat.
Here in Northwestern PA, rut usually begins in early August and continues until late November or early December, but don’t be fooled by these dates. A buck can breed a doe at any time throughout the year and knowing this will help to deter accidental breedings.
When your buck is in “Full Rut,” he has what I like to call a one-track mind. His goal is to breed any female goats that are in heat, and he will ignore everything else until everyone is bred. This includes eating and drinking.
The most important thing to remember is, if a buck is willing and a doe is able…it’s going to happen no matter what time of year it is. This mindset will save you a lot of time as you will be constantly aware of the security of your buck’s housing.
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Why do you need to breed your goats?
If you are raising dairy goats, a goat must be pregnant and give birth for milk to be produced. This means you will need to breed your female goats routinely to keep the milk flowing throughout the year.
Breeding Options for Goats
There are a few different ways you can breed your female goats.
#1. Driveway Breeding
This method of breeding is a good option for small herds. It is when you send your female goat to another farm to be bred by their male goat. This is a good option if you have a small number of goats to be bred.
The cost for driveway breeding is either a set price, a choice of offspring, or a timed cost.
#2. Rent a Buck
If you have a larger herd, you can rent a buck which means bringing him to your farm or homestead for a breeding period. Usually, the buck stays for a few weeks until the entire herd has been bred.
The cost for renting a buck for breeding is either a set price, a choice of offspring, or a timed cost.
The drawback to these first two options is the possibility of bringing worms, pests, or other diseases back to your farm. To help you can herbal worm your herd before, during, and after breeding to help them fight off anything that may be exposed to.
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#3. Artificial Insemination
Artificial insemination is quickly gaining popularity but it can be an expensive way to breed. YOu purchase frozen semen and manually insert it into the doe using an insemination gun. This method allows you to select the best characteristics that you want your herd to have.
The drawback to this option is that semen is short-lived, so you need to be highly aware of your doe’s cycle to time things for more successful breeding.
#4. In-House Breeding
In-house breeding is when you keep a buck year-round on your property and use him to breed your herd. You can do this by pen breeding, which involves supervising one buck and one doe in an enclosed area, or herd breeding, which involves leaving your buck with all of your does during the entire breeding season.
In-house breeding allows you to be more in control of your breeding routine and to supervise breeding to better ensure a successful connection. It also gives you more accurate due dates, which can be important for a small farm or homestead.
If you are not sure if your goats had a successful breeding, watch for a heat cycle the following month. If they go back into heat, you can put the pair together and try again.
What does Rut mean to a buck?
Rut is when a male goat gets a surge in hormones that gives him a desire to breed a goat that is in. When in rut, he will spray his face and front legs with urine (yes, I know) over and over again. It is a very pungent, almost offensive scent to us, but a sweet and luring scent to the does.
Remember this Warning: when your buck is in rut, do not handle him without gloves. Their rut smell is all over him and even though you may be immune to it, meaning the smell is not that noticeable, your friends and neighbors are not.
We call that smell “bucky” and it can sink into your skin and stay there long after you stop smelling it. I remember one time I went to the farm store after being in with my buck and the looks I got were quite comical.
My best advice is to always wear gloves and keep your barn clothes separate.
To a buck, Rut also means a time of parading and showing their stuff.
Bucks will pace back and forth in their pens, blubbering over and over and moaning or singing to the girls. This may seem comical but it is how the bucks let the does know they are ready to breed.
These calls and sounds help to trigger a heat cycle in your does as well. Something to keep in mind.
A word of caution here: Sometimes, the bucks become so involved in the rut that they do not eat or drink as they should. Their desire to breed is a powerful one, and they become so distracted that they forget to eat and drink.
I have seen quite a few bucks lose body condition during this period, some to an even dangerous level.
The best way to prevent this is to prepare my buck before rut sets in so he is better able to handle the enduring task of breeding.
Disclaimer: Please remember that I am not a vet and this is not a steadfast rule. This is just what I do in my situation with my animals. This is advice only and should be taken as such. Consult your veterinarian for specific guidelines.
How To Prepare for Buck Breeding Season
Preparing your buck for breeding season consists of nourishing your goats inside and out so they can better withstand the riggers of rut. It also ensures he will have the stamina to last the entire breeding season.
If you have a large herd, it is critical that you pay close attention to your buck and his body condition. Check him daily and watch his behavior and his gate or walk. Be on the lookout for anything “off” so you can catch issues before they get out of hand.
The best time to start preparing your buck is a few months prior to breeding season. Since our bucks enter rut in early August, I usually begin in late June or early July.
Breeding Tip #1. Monitor grain
I am not a fan of feeding grain to our male goats as it can cause issues with their urinary tract. I will, however, give our bucks grain prior to breeding to help boost their condition.
Read about Urinary Calculi here for symptoms and tips. We add ammonium chloride to our buck’s grain to help reduce the risk of issues with urination.
Whenver you feed grain to your goats, make sure it is good quality. Increasing the amount of grain prior to breeding season may help build up your goats to better withstand the demands breeding will have on them.
Remember, it is always important to make sure you do not overfeed your animals. The best way to increase feed without overfeeding is to introduce the increase slowly.
Caution: If you are not feeding grain to your buck, do not begin now. Giving grain to bucks and wethers should be done with caution and in small amounts.
Giving large amounts of grain to bucks, as in more than 1.5 percent of their body weight for a long period of time, makes them prone to urinary calculi. A condition that can be deadly if not caught and treated.
Breeding Tip #2. Monitor body condition
Body condition can be a good indicator to your animals health. Get into the habit of watching your bucks closely, especially during buck breeding season.
If they will allow it, put your hands on them so you can feel if they are over or underweight. This will allow you to take any steps to help before things get out of hand.
The fur on a goat can disguise more than you might think. Pet, touch, and feel your goats regularly so they become accustomed to it. This one tip alone will go a long way to a healthy herd.
Warning: Remember, a buck can be unintentionally rough while in rut, so proceed with this tip using caution. Only you know your animals and should be able to tell what you can and should not do with them.
Be cautious and careful whenever you are near a buck who is in rut.
Breeding Tip #3. Offer free-choice minerals 24/7
No matter where you live, minerals are an important ingredient for raising a healthy herd. They can also be life-saving if you live in a mineral-deficient area as we do.
Free-choice minerals mean your goats make the choice to eat the minerals or not. It is said that a goat will eat minerals if its body is craving them. By leaving a small portion out at all times they can nibble as they feel the need to do so.
If your buck is deficient, you may notice him eating his minerals quickly rather than just an occasional nibble. If this is the case, you will need to do some research to see what else may be wrong if anything. It may not be a big issue but knowing is better than not knowing.
Do a health check to be sure he is good to go. If you cannot find anything wrong and more symptoms show up, you will want to contact a vet immediately. Goats are great at disguising things, sometimes only showing there is a problem when it is too late.
How to Health Check a Goat
- Check their body condition and note if it is different now than it was a few months ago.
- Check the condition of their fur. Is their coat shiny?
- Check to see if their eyes are clear and bright and free of discharge.
- Check their nose to see if it is clear as well.
- Watch their walk to check for any issues.
- If you are able, you can take their temp. This is done rectally and should be between 102 – 104 degrees F, which is normal for a goat.
As with any animal, prevention is the most valuable way to keep your goats healthy. KNOW your goats so you can quickly recognize when something is off.
Breeding Tip #4. Increase Hay
Where we live, Timothy Hay and Orchard Grass is the most common hay mixture for livestock. Where we live this is a good choice, but for goats, Alfalfa is by far the best way to go.
Since alfalfa is very hard to come by in my area, I feed all of my goats fermented alfalfa hay called Chaffhaye. It can be pretty costly, but I feel the investment is worth it. Check with your local feed mill to see if they carry Chaffhaye at their store.
During Rut, I will up the amount of Chaffhaye I give to my bucks. This will help them to put on weight in a healthy way. Chaffhaye, in my opinion, helps to put on a little extra weight (if needed) and provides them with extra nutrients, and our goats just love it.
It goes without saying overfeeding a goat anything is not a good rule of thumb. A fat buck is not a healthy buck.
Breeding Tip #5. If needed, give Vitamin B
Disclaimer: In accordance with FDA guidelines, the information and products offered on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. I am not a medical professional. Before administering any medications to your animals please contact a veterinarian first.
If you notice your buck is run down, sluggish, or is not eating you may need to give a boost. A shot of Vitamin B can help quite a bit, giving them a boost and encouraging them to start eating.
If you are not familiar with giving injections to your goats, be sure to ask your vet before injecting. Remember that each situation is different, and before administering anything, I would always consult a vet.
You can also give Vitamin B orally, but I find it is not as effective when given this way.
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If you are worried about the cost of calling a veterinarian, don’t be. Talking to a vet on the phone is free and more often than not they will be more than willing to help you.
If you do not have a vet in your area who is familiar with goats, then contact your local extension office for a recommendation from a nearby farmer or a 4H group you can consult.
Breeding Tip #6. Give probiotics to help your buck
Again, if your buck needs a boost, probiotics can help. Probiotics come in a tube as a paste that you administer orally. It helps to encourage eating and also promotes a healthy rumen.
This is the Probiotic Paste I use, and it is safe to use with goats. It looks to be pretty expensive online, so you may want to look at Tractor Supply or your local feed mill for a better price.
Breeding Tip #7. Apple Cider Vinegar can be helpful
I routinely feed apple cider vinegar, also known as ACV , to many of our livestock and find it a good and natural way to support their health.
Before rut begins, I will add about a tablespoon of ACV with the mother, to a gallon of water and pour it into my buck’s water dish once a week. The goats love the taste and it really encourages them to drink up.
Water, in my opinion, is the best way to promote good goat health in does and especially bucks.
When purchasing apple cider vinegar you will want to be sure it is organic and it contains the “Mother”. Both should be clearly listed on the label.
Breeding Tip #8. Make Sure Your Buck’s Housing is Secure
If a buck is in rut and a doe is in heat, your buck will go to great lengths to get to her. Because of this, it is extremely important to house your buck in a secure and safe pen during buck breeding season. This tip is not directly related to their health, but it will prevent injuries to your buck.
Cattle panels with extra stakes and plenty of room to move around is how we house all of our bucks throughout the year.
Once the breeding season begins on our farm, we move the bucks in with the does, where they stay until everyone is bred. This usually takes just a month or two at most.
This type of breeding is called running the buck with the does and means keeping everyone together for 1-3 heat cycles.
Since a doe goes into heat every 21 days, 3 months together will cover 3 full cycles in our herd.
I have a few friends who let their bucks run with their herd year-round. To prevent accidental breedings, they use welding aprons to prevent unwanted and untimely breedings.
I have not used these aprons before, so do your research before investing in one. You can also use a buck apron, which is made specifically for bucks. To see how these aprons work, watch this video I found on YouTube.
Breeding Tip #9. Keep the Bucks Cool in the Heat
Rut is stressful enough without the added discomfort of hot summer weather. Do all that you can to keep your goats cool so they stay healthy for the job ahead.
Be sure you have a large shaded area and a cool place on the ground for them to get out of the sun. Offer them cool water throughout the day and watch for heavy panting or signs of illness.
You can read How to Keep your Animals Cool in the Heat for more tips you can use with not only your goats but other livestock animals as well.
How long is a goat pregnant?
A goat’s gestation (or pregnancy) is 148-152 days. If you want to know just when your does will have their babies you can use our Goat Gestation Calculator!
Make a note on your calendar of the week for the date you have so you can be ready for the kids when they arrive.
Remember it is so important to be proactive in your goat’s health. Supply them with the nutrient and health support they need, keep a watchful eye for any changes and provide a safe and loving environment. Just these few steps will encourage your goats to be friendly, healthy, and happy.
Good suggestions and reminders to keep our bucks in top shape. They are, after all, half our herd!
We bought Bacchus’ Johnson Shield this year, and have to say that it has been WONDERFUL! We prefer to run our buck with the does. That way, everyone gets access to good browse, and they all get to hang out together. Sometimes, our boy Knight is a bit frustrated, but he no longer paces the fence, moaning and crying out to the does.
Thanks so much! I had heard to avoid alfalfa with bucks because it would cause urinary calculi. Is this true in your history?
Also is the goat drinking that one gallon of water/ACV mixture once per week (on Monday it drinks it all) or are you adding a small of the ACV water amount to a dish of fresh water each day and it will use up the whole gallon in one week’s time?
Thank you so much!!
Hello, Nicole!
Yes, my buck downs the water with the ACV in it. When you only add that small amount it flavors the water up nicely and my boy loves it. I feed my bucks Chafhaye but I also feed them grain that is medicated specifically for controlling Urinary Calculi. This is the only medicated feed I give to my animals and I went back and forth for some time on whether I should feed it. I decided this is such a dangerous situation I decided to feed it to all of my boys daily and I have not had any issues.
Hope that helps!
Tracy