Goat Breeding
Do you know the signs of a doe in heat -- or when she should be in heat?
Do you know what human mistake can result in a doe not getting pregnant?
Do you know which mineral deficiencies can cause fertility problems or miscarriages?
If you aren't sure about the answers to some of these questions, then this course is for you. I created this course because I get a lot of emails from goat owners in the spring who are wondering why their doe hasn't given birth yet -- or why she isn't pregnant. Understanding the breeding process is vital to your springtime kidding success. In this course, you'll learn ...
- signs of a doe in heat
- normal buck behavior
- nutritional deficiencies that can cause infertility
- what a successful goat breeding looks like -- and what a failure looks like
- why you should never hold a doe for breeding
- why a doe's size is more important than age for a first breeding -- and how big she should be
- which goat breeds are seasonal breeders -- and when is that season
- what to feed does and bucks during breeding season (hint: it depends!)
- why bucks might need ammonium chloride (or not)
- pen breeding vs hand breeding
- artificial insemination
- how to know if your doe is pregnant
- ... and more!
Your Instructor
In 2002, Deborah and her family moved to 32 acres on a creek in the middle of nowhere to grow their own food organically. With the help of goats, sheep, pigs, and poultry, they produce 100% of their meat, eggs, and dairy products, as well as a large percentage of their vegetables, fruit, and herbs. They sold chickens and turkeys for more than 10 years, and are currently a licensed egg producer in Illinois and sell eggs to a grocery store and through a CSA.
Deborah is the author of six books, including Homegrown and Handmade, Ecothrifty, and Raising Goats Naturally, as well as her latest book, Goats Giving Birth. She also teaches sustainable agriculture courses online for the University of Massachusetts - Amherst. She has been teaching Raising Dairy Goats Sustainably since 2013 and Pastured Poultry since 2015.
In 2022, Deborah got certified as a FAMACHA instructor so that she and her students could feel confident that she was providing the most up-to-date information on parasite research and management.