BREEDING
BREEDING
Selecting of breeding stock
Male and female breeding parameters for good breeds:
- Do not choose cripples goats
- Other males should be castrated
- The male should not be from the same family
- The chosen males may be replaced after 1-3 years
- One adult male can save 60 females and one year old male can save 30 females
Table illustrating breeding parameters for a female goat
Table illustrating breeding parameters for male goats
Heat detection and Oestrus cycle
The average time (interval) between heats (oestrus cycle) in goats is 21 days although longer or shorter cycles are common. The length (duration) of heat (oestrus) will typically be 24-36 hours but this can too vary. The following are the heat signs:
- Female bleats continuously
- Mounts and is mounted by others
- Vulva is reddish swollen and produces clear mucous
- Frequent urination
- Restlessness
- Off feed
- Frequent twisting of the tail
- Isolation
- Stands when pushed.
Note: if there is bloody discharge is an indication of end of heat and the female cannot accept the male.
The female goat on heat readily accepting a male goat for mating breeding
