The following is something that was discussed on a Facebook platform that I feel is important to address. This is something that is potentially in every pedigree in the Miniature Dairy Goat breeds.
Recently there has been many well known Mini Nubian breeders throughout the US who have made public on Social Media platforms that they have had born on their farms Kids with Supernumerary Teats.
Apparently this is very common in Meat Goats and Dairy Goat breeds, this includes the Mini Dairy Goat breeds too.
While this is not a life threatening problem like CL, CAE or Johnees or G6s, it isn’t something we want in our herds.
While it may not be presented in our breeding stock, it could very possibly be in our goats genetic make up that could pop up out of nowhere even from our best goats.
It’s nobody’s fault this happens, it doesn’t mean your goats are tainted, it just means the genetics lined up a certain way this one time in this one kid, because this is out of our control.
Genetic defects happen in perfectly normal human families with no history of Cerebral Palsy, Cleft Palate, MS, and many other diseases. Why would it be any different in animals?
Does this mean you euthanize the dam and sire of that kid? Absolutely not! You just don’t repeat that breeding and wether the buck kid and find a pet home for both wether and Doeling no registration papers.
Of course if this continues to occur with different pairings, then you need to discontinue breeding that particular goat. It’s the responsible thing to do.
It may never happen again, it’s just the way the genetics came together, that time, it happens.
Be a responsible breeder, thoroughly check teats on both Bucklings and Doelings at birth, and each week. Have buyers check teats on pickup or on delivery , take pictures prior to shipping for buyers.
As a responsible breeder give full disclosure if you have ever had a kid born on your farm with a supernumerary teat, fishtail teats or double set of teats. You owe your customers full disclosure.
It’s more common than you know, the potential of it presenting itself could happen to any breeder and probably does. They just don’t talk about it. I prefer to inform people the possibility of it happening.
6/1- Well this month was supposed to be ADGA Show month for me. I got all of the Does clipped and bathed, gathered up all the items needed for show and ended up not showing.
Why didn’t I show? Because it’s just too much for me alone to do. My daughter is working and going to College, she’s studying every free moment and is unable to help me. After my initial disappointment, all that work getting ready, I realized that it was for the best. My yearling first fresheners just weren’t ready for the big breeders show yet…..
Sarah will be busy in college for three more years, meanwhile, I’ll be working with my Does and have them ready for a few shows next year. And meanwhile I will recruit some helpers.
I’m super excited about my junior Nubian Doeling DKGH EA SHE WILL ROCK YOU! AKA ELLIE.
Ellie is Gorgeous! Her topline is amazing! I know I should have her in the show ring now! I really want to show her, I’m just really limited to which shows as her breeder is also an Adga judge as is his daughter and I can’t show under him or her for six months due to prejudice. Which I totally understand.
I keep thinking about going to the Barn in the USA show in WA. It’s just so expensive, fuel, food, hotel, not to mention the price of stalls, classes etc. And then there is always the chance of them catching some airborne virus. I think I just talked myself out of going lol. Maybe next year.
Mini Love Farm 