Mating Systems
Traditionally goats are mated once yearly in the fall, during their natural mating season, with subsequent spring kidding. Naturally, this ensures the greatest likelihood to establish pregnancy and optimal ovulation rates. A breeding season that extends from August to January allows for flexibility in breeding dates, favorable climatic conditions during kidding and optimal forage quality for lactating does. In addition, ethnic markets can be considered in deciding when when to to breed females. How long males are kept in with females impacts how long kidding will last, but a 40 to 45 day breeding season will guarantee that each doe has had at least two opportunities to come into heat. The male-to-female ratio in this breeding system is approximately 1:30, but in synchronized breeding, this ratio should be 1 male:20 females.
Under extensive conditions, continuous mating is sometimes practiced, and bucks are maintained with the doe herd throughout the year. In such a system, only limited supervision can be provided during kidding, but care is required to routinely remove offspring from the herd to avoid dam/son and sire/daughter matings. Although buck exposure is continuous, kidding under continuous mating will eventually follow seasonal breeding patterns.
With advances in synchronization techniques, artificial insemination, or AI, is being used more commonly by goat producers. Artificial insemination makes it possible to obtain or transfer genetic material domestically and internationally. Many goat producers, both meat and dairy, utilize AI to produce animals that are more desired by markets and consumers as well as animals that will do well at local, state and national livestock shows.
