The Poultry Keeper

Hobiton · Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 7

This weekend I have borrowed a Billy to cover six of my goats, I can keep him for up to a month. Do I just let him run with my does and hope he covers them all, or do I seperate each doe and let the Billy have a 'one to one' in a confined space such as a stable? Maybe keep the doe and the Billy together for 24 hours?

This is the first time I have had to organise a covering. All of the goats have had kids when they were with their previous owners.

I would really appreciate some advice on this

Many thanks
Hobiton

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 7424 Location: isle of lewis

i keep a working billy ,i tend to put them in when i see signs of a season but as some can have seasons for 4 hours ,i think you'd be better just letting them run in with each other
with a month you might only get one covering they come into season once ever 3 weeks
a good tip is to ask the billys owner to let him wear a billy rag for a few days ,then put it in the nanny's shed hopefully bring them in season old fashioned i know but some of the old ways do work Wink

,and there fore getting 2 coverings if needs be ,i think i'd put him in don't forget though introduced billys can be rough ,even for just mating ,it tends to settle down after they have been with them for a day or so after the first excitement of i have girls wears off a bit Shocked

,i've got 2 to put in my self and then another coming on holiday
what types of goats and billy
good luck and it'd be lovely to see some pics of the billy and the nannies Cool