Breeding time for Flicka

A few days ago, my husband noticed our Nigerian Dwarf doe, Flicka was in heat and called Mary at a local farm to see if she had a Nigerian Dwarf buck. She indeed had one and we arranged for me to pick him up. Sarah and I drove to the farm to pick up Zeus. He is beautifully colored and similar to Flicka in that he is crème and white. The other wonderful coincidence is that they both have blue eyes. I used the GPS to guide me to the farm. For some reason, it took me the very long country road way. It took longer to get there than it should have, but it was beautiful farm country. I did some drive by photography on the way. At one point, I pulled over and reset the GPS because I thought it was taking me to the wrong location. It was really strange that it took that route. I finally got to the farm and Sarah and I were greeted by the dogs. One in particular lets you know you’re not welcomed unless invited. Not overly aggressive, just protective, like a good farm dog should be. I’d forgotten Mary’s phone number, but luckily the dogs alerted her that we were there. She let us in the fenced yard where we were then greeted warmly by the dogs. She told me someone had just called and asked if she could bring one of her does by for a quickie with Zeus before we took him home. I said I didn’t mind waiting. We walked to the back pasture and Mary led Zeus out of his pen and back up to the front. We waited for the other lady to show up. After what seemed to be a long wait, the lady showed up with her two daughters and a beautiful chocolate and white doe. The doe and Zeus were introduced, but even to me, it was apparent that the doe was not in heat. After 10-15 minutes, we discussed other options. I offered to let them bring their doe to Zeus at my farm when she was in heat. They were unsure, so I left my offer on the table, we loaded Zeus into the back of my SUV and I gave Mary my address and number. I told her if they changed their minds, they could call her and she could contact me. After paying the $40 stud fee, I left with Zeus. We kept the windows down all the way home and we took the shortest route back. As you may well know, bucks stink. Luckily he did not poo/pee in the SUV and he did wonderful on the way back to our farm. We got home and put a collar and leash on him and let him out. I led him to the pen to meet everyone through the fence, while my husband closed off the pen and opened the pasture gate. I led Zeus into the pasture and my husband lead Flicka out of the pen and into the pasture with Zeus. It was very evident that Flicka was in heat and she allowed Zeus to do his thing. It did not help that he was too heavy for his size and seemed to have a difficult time, but Flicka was patient. I can’t say I observed the act, but stayed near for awhile to make sure they would be okay. I left them alone in the pasture and headed to the house leaving the other goats to look on and wonder what this new boy was doing in there. Later, I came outside and opened the pen back up to the pasture. No aggression from Zeus, just warnings that he’d staked his claim on Flicka. We are keeping Zeus for a month to help ensure a successful breeding. In the meantime, if Martha, who is now around 5-6 months old, comes into heat, Zeus will breed with her as well (if he isn’t too heavy). Martha is a Pygmy goat and very small. I don’t know if she can support the weight of Zeus, who is 9 years old and almost as big as our Nubian, Dilly. Mary said this would be Zeus’s last breeding season. I’m not sure what that means as far as his future, but if he could neutered at his age, I’d love to have him. He would have made a beautiful whether. I definitely don’t want a buck of my own unless I can fence off another area further from the house and provide him shelter. The goat shed we currently have is too close to the house, especially with a musky buck. We hope to have some baby goats by March. They, no doubt, will be beautiful. My husband had gone grocery shopping with Emily and had dinner ready by the time I’d finished with the goats. We ate soft tacos. I checked on the goats a few times and realized I’d have to find a way to shelter Zeus and Flicka separate from the rest of the goats, because Zeus would stand by the entrance and the other goats did not want to come in. Luckily it was not supposed to be too cold this night, so if they were left to sleep out in the pen, they’d be fine.