Late weaning, early tupping

[Goatherderess]

The goats are in good condition but still with their kids (March born so not having much milk now). Is there any "drying up" reason why I can't have just a week between weaning and putting the billy in? I usually have a 3 week break but have left them a bit longer together this year. However the billy is going apoplectic in his desire to be with them and they are all coming into season so I was thinking of weaning this week and putting him in next.

 

[Woolless]

Haven't had much to do with goats for a long time but my guess would be that less would hold to first service after such a short weaning-tupping interval. If that is the case, you'll have a drawn out kidding season and first kids in February. Get them weaned asap, I would have thought.

 

[andybk]

Have done this a few times , trying to get shearling ewes back into main flock cycle , and a bit late weaning . as above ^^ you get some returns , and lower prolifacy , pregnacy tends to drag out over a few cycles as well , but most hold ok (avoid stressing them for a month after tupping) and good feed upto kidding to get condition back

 

[scatterbrainedlass]

I think the main reason for weaning (sheep) a month or two before tupping is to give the ewes a break and recover any loss of condition. It's also possible that the ewes may not be coming into season if the lambs are still on them? You could end up with them taking longer to accept the tup which would drag out kidding next year.

 

[neilo]

I know nothing of goats, but I sponge most of my March lambing pedigree ewes about a week or so after weaning, to tup/AI in July. As above, conception rates slightly lower but lamb numbers similar if in good condition. I leave the leanest few though, and a handful that never get in-lamb early.