Breeding Pygmy Goats
Goat lovers know that there is nothing more adorable than brand-new pygmy goat kids that are healthy and full of life. Yet getting those cute and cuddly kids takes a little more thought and knowledge then most goat lovers realize.Do not breed your pygmy goats unless they have great personalities and excellent conformation. Remember that the whole point of breeding is to improve the overall quality of the breed, not to simply produce more goats.
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Instructions
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How to Breed Your Doe
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Pick a time of year in which you want your goat to deliver her babies. Unlike some other breeds of goats, pygmies cycle year-'round. That means you can choose to have summer or winter kids. Bear in mind that the pygmy goat's gestation period is 145 to 153 days.
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Make sure your doe is old enough to breed--at least 1 year old. Breeding does before they have reached their first birthday can stunt their growth and lead to birthing trouble and severe birth defects.
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Make sure your doe is in good shape. Does that are to skinny or too fat often won't get pregnant.
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Give your does access to salt while they are bred.
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As your doe's due date approaches, feed her approximately 1/2 lb. of grain a day. You might have to increase this amount once the doe has her kids.
How to Breed Your Buck
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Keep your buck away from the does when you aren't trying to breed them. Bucks that are left in with the does year-'round can become aggressive and difficult to handle.
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Make sure your buck is in excellent shape before you use him for breeding purposes. It isn't uncommon for bucks to become so stressed while breeding that they stop eating and lose weight. Some breeders have reported their bucks losing as much as 50 lbs.
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Keep a wary eye on your buck after he has been turned loose with your doe. Even the gentlest buck can become aggressive when he is trying to breed a group of does.
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