In the breeding season, does come into estrus in 21-day cycles normally, with heat (estrus) lasting about one to two days. The gestation period for goats varies from 147 to 150 days. Foundation stock can use some dairy breed does to interject some milking ability in the herd and insure an adequate supply of milk to wean heavier kids faster. The dairy breed should provide good fertility. Dairy traits are inversely related to masculine traits like heavy muscling. A heavily muscled meat doe may not produce sufficient milk to wean heavier kids in a shorter time, and may not be as fertile, the two traits that transfer into productivity and profitability. Selecting proper does for breeding will ensure the productivity of the herd.

A breeding doe should be able to produce good size kids, twin or maybe triplet kidding, with proper udder conformation and ability to produce abundant milk to wean heavier kids for market.You can improve your breeding does by culling up to 20% of older does and those that are hard to breed and lack mothering ability and replacing them with better doelings from your own herd. If you try to buy good breeder does, remember, most breeders do not sell their top quality animals unless they are going out of business.

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