Southern by choice
Herd Master
Basically you just need to talk with them and see what they offer. A good breeder will point out exactly why they are selling a mature doe.
They will point out the "flaws" etc.
Years ago we sold a doe that gave ALOT of milk- she was an unregistered doe... her attachments were not great and she did not have length of lactation. In truth that could have been our fault as we started milking her far too late. But we were up front about all of it and we considered her more of a "soap" goat. Meaning she would give considerable milk but wasn't up to milking 10 months... better as a goat for someone with a soap making business rather than a family milker. They get all the milk they can use but aren't tied down to constant milking for 10 months.
We have a doe that will never leave our farm. She has an ugly udder. BUT she will outmilk any doe, has the sweetest milk and will stay in milk for pretty much as long as we want to milk her. Like I said- ugly udder but milks like crazy. What we did is put really good bucks over her to improve udders. We retain those does, and build the line. She is a NOA doe so as we continue building up her offspring will eventually be American Lamanchas. We bred her for miniature lamanchas as well, we have one of her does (mini) and she milks 8# a day, easy keeper, super high fat sweet creamy milk. Funny how they don't have all the titles and bells and whistles... they will never leave our farm. The mini's udder is great, that is from buck improvement.
Some does with perfect udders may not milk great. Goats with less than perfect side attachments can still milk ... and often will milk stellar!
If you use a stud and the breeder is picky that is a good thing! Keep in mind if they aren't and they breed to anyone paying a fee then your doe is exposed to who only knows what.
Working with someone that can look at your does and help you understand what buck would be best is always good.
Usually those that can do that aren't studding out though.
Stay away from any doe that has kidding complications.
Keep in mind that Nigerians can have large litters. We have a doe that kidded quads, quints, quads... she is due in Feb- hoping for trips this time. We let people know that her lines are high multiples... and we are selective where her kids go. We want to know that anyone that has one of her does is around for kidding. She doesn't have complications just alot of kids and someone needs to be there. We would prefer just twins/tirplets.
They will point out the "flaws" etc.
Years ago we sold a doe that gave ALOT of milk- she was an unregistered doe... her attachments were not great and she did not have length of lactation. In truth that could have been our fault as we started milking her far too late. But we were up front about all of it and we considered her more of a "soap" goat. Meaning she would give considerable milk but wasn't up to milking 10 months... better as a goat for someone with a soap making business rather than a family milker. They get all the milk they can use but aren't tied down to constant milking for 10 months.
We have a doe that will never leave our farm. She has an ugly udder. BUT she will outmilk any doe, has the sweetest milk and will stay in milk for pretty much as long as we want to milk her. Like I said- ugly udder but milks like crazy. What we did is put really good bucks over her to improve udders. We retain those does, and build the line. She is a NOA doe so as we continue building up her offspring will eventually be American Lamanchas. We bred her for miniature lamanchas as well, we have one of her does (mini) and she milks 8# a day, easy keeper, super high fat sweet creamy milk. Funny how they don't have all the titles and bells and whistles... they will never leave our farm. The mini's udder is great, that is from buck improvement.
Some does with perfect udders may not milk great. Goats with less than perfect side attachments can still milk ... and often will milk stellar!
If you use a stud and the breeder is picky that is a good thing! Keep in mind if they aren't and they breed to anyone paying a fee then your doe is exposed to who only knows what.
Working with someone that can look at your does and help you understand what buck would be best is always good.
Usually those that can do that aren't studding out though.
Stay away from any doe that has kidding complications.
Keep in mind that Nigerians can have large litters. We have a doe that kidded quads, quints, quads... she is due in Feb- hoping for trips this time. We let people know that her lines are high multiples... and we are selective where her kids go. We want to know that anyone that has one of her does is around for kidding. She doesn't have complications just alot of kids and someone needs to be there. We would prefer just twins/tirplets.
