Maintaining the buck in a healthy, well-fed condition 60 days prior to the breeding season is important for his performance during the breeding season. To ensure that he has body reserves to draw on during times of heavy breeding, he should be in very good condition (condition score of 6-7) without being fat prior to placement with the doe herd. Do a breeding soundness examination. It should include checking his feet and legs for soundness, injuries and overgrown hooves; looking over his testicles for normal size and feel; checking his semen for volume, satisfactory sperm numbers with adequate motility; and presence of abnormalities and overall health.  The formation of sperm takes about 45 days. Therefore, checking the buck at least 60 days prior to the breeding season provides adequate time to correct any problems with health or nutrition, or to purchase a new sire.

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