HOW   BUCKS   BREED

Goats  as  a species are seasonal breeders.    Does can come into heat as daylight shortens but are much more likely  to cycle into estrus   when cold weather arrives.

Myotonics tend to be aseasonal breeders but extremes of daylight and darkness as well as other circumstances  can impact their year-around breeding abilities.

Bucks come  into rut  long before  does come into heat to establish their dominance and therefore opportunity to breed.    Bucks  start their annual rut in late July in central Texas,  and while does may exhibit false heats,   true  estrus  occurs when the first "cold front" arrives.

Breeding habits of bucks are significantly different from that of other ruminant species.  Cattle breeders, for example,  incorrectly assume that bucks breed like bulls.    Cows come into heat   year around.    Does cycle in 21-day intervals that correlate with  shortened hours of daylight and colder weather.

A female goat's heat can last up to 36 hours, and a buck will repeatedly breed her  so long as she exhibits signs of heat.    Other does also in heat may get missed on this 21-day cycle.   This is   *not*   how bulls breed cows.

This is confusing to cattle folks who are transitioning to raising goats.   Goats are   NOT  "little cattle."    Goats are DEER in how they   interact  and mate.  Goats are a small prey-prone species for whom reproduction is vital to survival, hence the intense concentration by the bucks to make sure the does they are breeding become pregnant.  Multiple births add to the chance of survival, as stronger kids will live and the weaker will  die.  Survival of the Fittest keeps a small species strong.    Cattle, being a large species, don't have these challenges.

A mature buck in good health can breed a maximum 40-to-50 does, but much depends upon his nutritional health, the size and composition of the pasture in which he is breeding,  the age and health of the does  put with him for breeding,  the length of time they are together, feed & shelter & weather conditions, and   other variables.   He is going to miss some of the does when they come into heat concurrent with the heat of the doe he is currently servicing.

It is also possible to have the buck with the does for too long.  To counter buck fatigue and missed breedings,   many commercial producers run multiple bucks with their does.  Remember you are  raising a small ruminant species subject to predation with  limitations that don't apply to much larger cattle.   Cattle and goats  are very different in how they approach reproduction.

Since Onion Creek Ranch's first breeding season in the fall of  1990,  I've not been concerned if as many as 10% of the does don't settle.    I understand how bucks breed, and I am interested in quality over quantity.  Quality  always brings  better money, even at terminal auctions.    Cattle people, on the other hand, seem to believe that every single female should be bred.    Goats don't breed like cattle do.   Learn to THINK LIKE A GOAT ™.

Suzanne W. Gasparotto, ONION CREEK RANCH, Texas    10.1.21

The author, Suzanne Gasparotto, hereby grants to local goat publications and club newsletters, permission to reprint articles published on the Onion Creek Ranch website under these conditions: THE ARTICLE MUST BE REPRODUCED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND THE AUTHOR'S NAME, ADDRESS, AND CONTACT INFORMATION MUST BE INCLUDED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE REPRINT. We would appreciate notification from any clubs or publications when the articles are used. (A copy of the newsletter or publication would also be a welcome addition to our growing library of goat related information!)

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