Buck Aprons
At Joyful Meadow, we have been using buck aprons for many years successfully. We hope that the information below helps you!
We now use a new buck apron model that we designed which provides comfortable full-coverage for the buck. These aprons allow the buck to live happily with the does while reassuring you that he is well covered. We love them for our herd, but no longer have them available to purchase due to lack of time.
Description
Buck aprons are an apron worn around the waist by the buck made with water resistant material that prevents the buck from mating a doe. They were started by Kenyan goatherders to prevent pregnancies during the dry season, which would risk the life of the does. They are also called an olor.
In order to effectively block mating, proper sizing is very important. It must not be tightened too much or it will be uncomfortable for the buck, but and not too loose, or the buck will be able to slip out or extend over the top. Without a full-coverage design, bucks may be able to twist the apron and breed from the side or over the waist band. This is why our new model uses an elastic band and has fabric going up to a collar. The buck cannot extend over the waist band since the fabric continues to the neck, and the elastic waist allows for more comfort for the buck. They also have a weight in them to keep them in the right position even if the buck moves it while laying down.
Buck aprons allow the bucklings to nurse on their dams for longer, which is better for their health, and allows our bucks to live in a herd with the does. The bucks do not get the typical "buck smell" when they live with the does. The bucks do not bother the does. They only try to breed them when they are in heat (which the does don't mind), and the apron blocks them. It also allows future wethers to be wethered later, reducing the risk of urinary calculi (see: Feeding). Buck aprons are also sometimes used to prevent urine scald.
We have been using buck aprons for years, with bucks from 5 weeks old to over 8 years old. The herd is happy together and loves to sleep cuddled together after a busy day in the pasture. We really like this method because the buck apron allows us to still control due dates, yet keep everyone together.
Buck aprons are an apron worn around the waist by the buck made with water resistant material that prevents the buck from mating a doe. They were started by Kenyan goatherders to prevent pregnancies during the dry season, which would risk the life of the does. They are also called an olor.
In order to effectively block mating, proper sizing is very important. It must not be tightened too much or it will be uncomfortable for the buck, but and not too loose, or the buck will be able to slip out or extend over the top. Without a full-coverage design, bucks may be able to twist the apron and breed from the side or over the waist band. This is why our new model uses an elastic band and has fabric going up to a collar. The buck cannot extend over the waist band since the fabric continues to the neck, and the elastic waist allows for more comfort for the buck. They also have a weight in them to keep them in the right position even if the buck moves it while laying down.
Buck aprons allow the bucklings to nurse on their dams for longer, which is better for their health, and allows our bucks to live in a herd with the does. The bucks do not get the typical "buck smell" when they live with the does. The bucks do not bother the does. They only try to breed them when they are in heat (which the does don't mind), and the apron blocks them. It also allows future wethers to be wethered later, reducing the risk of urinary calculi (see: Feeding). Buck aprons are also sometimes used to prevent urine scald.
We have been using buck aprons for years, with bucks from 5 weeks old to over 8 years old. The herd is happy together and loves to sleep cuddled together after a busy day in the pasture. We really like this method because the buck apron allows us to still control due dates, yet keep everyone together.
Concerns with using aprons?
When researching the use of aprons, many people (who hadn't tried it) said that the bucks will harass the does, but that hasn't been the case in my experience, nor that of many others who have tried using aprons. Some people who tried this with older bucks that had previously been kept separate from does said that their bucks were very excited about the does at first but calmed down after a while. We added a 5-year-old buck to our herd, who had never lived with does, and he settled in well with the herd. I have sold adult bucks who lived with the does here, and they all settled in very quickly. The bucks are also gentle with the kids.
Another often mentioned comment is the fear that the buck smell will affect the taste of the milk. This has not been the case for us. The milk tastes very sweet. The udder is a closed "compartment" and smells cannot taint the milk inside. The only way for milk taste to be affected by bucks is if they rub on the doe and the udder and hands are not completely cleaned before milking. The buck scent could be transferred to the milk by your hands. However, many who use aprons notice that their bucks do not develop that "buck scent". My theory is that since they live with the does, they do not need to "project" their scent. Being with the does definitely seems to calm them down (assuming you allow them time to settle in if not raised this way since kids).