4-H Pygmy Goat Project 1. Evaluate the buck using the breeding program
worksheet. Make sure that in the areas where your doe rates
fair to poor, the buck rates highly. Keep in mind that no
animal is perfect, but you want to breed to the best buck
that you can find for your doe. 2. Out crossing vs. line breeding vs. inbreeding... Out crossing is breeding two pygmys that have no
common ancestors. Advantages: least chance of appearance of
recessive genetic faults, tendency to produce more vigorous
kids. Disadvantages: Kids produced may not be of consistent
quality. Line Breeding is breeding two pygmys that have
common, but not close, ancestors. Advantages: Increases the
chance of pulling out good traits in a line, kids produced
are more consistent. Disadvantages: Increases the chances of
the appearance of recessive genetic faults, kids may not be
as vigorous and may be smaller. Inbreeding is breeding two pygmys that are closely
related. Advantages: Greatest chance of pulling out good
traits in a line. Kids produced should be genetically very
similar. Disadvantages: Greatest chance of pulling out
recessive genetic faults, kids may be weak and small. Look at your doe's pedigree (the more generations
included, the better). If she is the result of inbreeding,
you will want to consider an out crossing. If there has been
out crossing, you may want to consider a line breeding to
an excellent ancestor. Breeding to a common inferior
ancestor will only set inferior traits! 3. Check on the health and care of the buck, his
production records (ratio of does/bucks, frequency of the
genetic faults appearing in offspring, such as extra teats),
and genetic problems in his ancestry. Also, check where the
doe will be housed. 4. Make sure that you have a written contract for the
buck service that stipulates boarding of the doe,
rebreeding, guarantee of fertility, etc. 5. Make sure you get a breeding memo with each breeding
at the time of service for registering the kids when they
are born. Permission to use materials on this web site for
educational purposes is granted.
Guidelines for Choosing a Buck
Pioneer Ridge Pygmy Goat Club
If you have further questions about our club or pygmy
goats, please e-mail Heidi Dahlin at hmdahlin@mac.com