Using Our Buck Aprons
The following are questions that we thought you may have on our buck aprons, so this page will be a FAQ before they are actually asked!
You can purchase our buck aprons here. For information on buck aprons in general, visit this page.
What size should I purchase for my buck?
Each apron size has an estimate of age the apron will fit. However, NDs can grow at very different rates depending on their lines and it makes it different to be sure which size will fit your growing buck. If you are purchasing for a baby buckling, then sizing should be easy as you will progressively use each size. For the in-between sizes, if you are not sure which you need, you can contact me with the waist circumference (taken about 2" after the armpits) and chest to ground measurements, and I will try to assist you. If you choose to purchase more then one size to be sure that you have the right one, you can use the other when you have other bucks, such as when you have bucklings born on your farm!
Each apron size has an estimate of age the apron will fit. However, NDs can grow at very different rates depending on their lines and it makes it different to be sure which size will fit your growing buck. If you are purchasing for a baby buckling, then sizing should be easy as you will progressively use each size. For the in-between sizes, if you are not sure which you need, you can contact me with the waist circumference (taken about 2" after the armpits) and chest to ground measurements, and I will try to assist you. If you choose to purchase more then one size to be sure that you have the right one, you can use the other when you have other bucks, such as when you have bucklings born on your farm!
How can I adjust the fit of the elastic waistband as my buck grows over time?
If you are purchasing an apron for a growing buck (meaning all the sizes before Adult, or including Adult if you make a note saying that the buck is not fully grown yet or you simply want to have the option of extending it if needed), the elastic band will have one part sewn in a way that allows you to easily cut a seam to extend the band up to a few inches. Each seam cut will give around 1” extra and there are typically 3 seams. Depending on the size of your buck when purchasing, there may be variations in the number of seams.
The order of seams is important! When you get your apron, with the collar being the top, near the left side of the waist band you will see something like photo 1. Flip it over and you will see knotted seams (photo 2, yours may have extra seams depending on the size). When you want to extend the apron, cut and remove these seam. This will give you an extra inch. You will now have a little flap (photo 3) which will also reveal the other seams (photo 4). If you want to extend more, cut the seam at the bottom, the one that would be closest to the buck if he was wearing the apron (the seam with the white arrow shown in the pictures. The same seam is shown with this arrow in the three pictures to show where it is depending on how you are holding the waist band).
If my explanation is a little confusing, feel free to email me before cutting any seams.
If you are purchasing an apron for a growing buck (meaning all the sizes before Adult, or including Adult if you make a note saying that the buck is not fully grown yet or you simply want to have the option of extending it if needed), the elastic band will have one part sewn in a way that allows you to easily cut a seam to extend the band up to a few inches. Each seam cut will give around 1” extra and there are typically 3 seams. Depending on the size of your buck when purchasing, there may be variations in the number of seams.
The order of seams is important! When you get your apron, with the collar being the top, near the left side of the waist band you will see something like photo 1. Flip it over and you will see knotted seams (photo 2, yours may have extra seams depending on the size). When you want to extend the apron, cut and remove these seam. This will give you an extra inch. You will now have a little flap (photo 3) which will also reveal the other seams (photo 4). If you want to extend more, cut the seam at the bottom, the one that would be closest to the buck if he was wearing the apron (the seam with the white arrow shown in the pictures. The same seam is shown with this arrow in the three pictures to show where it is depending on how you are holding the waist band).
If my explanation is a little confusing, feel free to email me before cutting any seams.
**** Very important note on the elastic band! ***
Although the elastic band is sewn in a way that allows it to be extended, you may need to change sizes before the belt is fully extended! Please do not think that just because you can extend the waist that the rest of the apron is still the proper size. The way the aprons are made means that I need to use a long piece of elastic, which I then sew in a way that allows progressive expansion. For example, on the small size, I end up with a waist circumference of about 31" without stretching when the elastic band is fully extended. However, my 2 year old bucks have a waist circumference of about 30". The small waistband would fit them, but the small apron would not be wide enough or long enough for these older bucks. These bucks need to wear the adult size. Each buck grows at his own rate, and my estimated ages for each apron gives an idea of when you need to change sizes, but look at your buck and judge if the apron needs to be wider or longer to know when to move up a size.
What if the apron is a little long from the collar to the waist band?
When purchasing an apron for a younger buck, the length from collar to waist band may be a little long at first. This is due to having extra fabric to allow the buckling to continue wearing this size while he grows, before needing a new size. This extra length is typically not really noticeable while the buck is wearing it, but if the waistband ends up further back than the "waist" when the fabric is held tighter along the buck's chest (like the drawn white band), then please tie a cord (such as bailing twine) from the elastic belt (making a loop so that you don't squish the elastic) to the collar to prevent the fabric from extending past the waist/armpits. The reason is that if the elastic belt is able to move back closer to the hips, the buckling may be able to slip his butt out. Tying a cord so that the fabric stays the right length prevents this and can be removed once the buckling has grown into his apron. This is typically only needed for the baby size, or if you went up a size a little too soon. In most cases, this is not needed at all.
When purchasing an apron for a younger buck, the length from collar to waist band may be a little long at first. This is due to having extra fabric to allow the buckling to continue wearing this size while he grows, before needing a new size. This extra length is typically not really noticeable while the buck is wearing it, but if the waistband ends up further back than the "waist" when the fabric is held tighter along the buck's chest (like the drawn white band), then please tie a cord (such as bailing twine) from the elastic belt (making a loop so that you don't squish the elastic) to the collar to prevent the fabric from extending past the waist/armpits. The reason is that if the elastic belt is able to move back closer to the hips, the buckling may be able to slip his butt out. Tying a cord so that the fabric stays the right length prevents this and can be removed once the buckling has grown into his apron. This is typically only needed for the baby size, or if you went up a size a little too soon. In most cases, this is not needed at all.
Can I use the apron's collar to lead my goat?
The collar used on the aprons is high quality, however pulling on the collar will pull on the apron and risks damaging the apron. I do not recommend using the apron's collar as a regular collar. If it is just some light "guiding" of the goat and the goat is not resisting, it will likely be fine, but in most cases it is better to use a separate collar if you want to lead your goat, and remove once done.
The collar used on the aprons is high quality, however pulling on the collar will pull on the apron and risks damaging the apron. I do not recommend using the apron's collar as a regular collar. If it is just some light "guiding" of the goat and the goat is not resisting, it will likely be fine, but in most cases it is better to use a separate collar if you want to lead your goat, and remove once done.
How long does it take to receive the apron after purchase?
The buck aprons are typically made once ordered. As such, it may take 2 weeks to ship them, and then shipping generally takes 5-10 business days, sometimes less if you live in Canada. I sometimes may have aprons already made, in which case they may be shipped sooner. I will occasionally offer the option to purchase a Rush Order which will allow you to have your apron shipped within 4 business days.
Aprons are made on a limited basis, due to time constraints, so I highly recommend ordering in advance to be sure that they are available.
The buck aprons are typically made once ordered. As such, it may take 2 weeks to ship them, and then shipping generally takes 5-10 business days, sometimes less if you live in Canada. I sometimes may have aprons already made, in which case they may be shipped sooner. I will occasionally offer the option to purchase a Rush Order which will allow you to have your apron shipped within 4 business days.
Aprons are made on a limited basis, due to time constraints, so I highly recommend ordering in advance to be sure that they are available.
Can I wash the apron?
Yes, you can hand wash the aprons and dry in the sun. Once washed, they need enough time to dry, especially for the sand to dry in the weighted pouch. The fabric is water-resistant organic cotton laminate and the laminate allows for water vapour to pass, meaning that even if water gets into the apron through the seams, the apron will be able to dry, but may take longer and need to be turned while drying. The frequency of washing is up to you and depends on your bucks. Some never wash their aprons, others do so regularly.
Yes, you can hand wash the aprons and dry in the sun. Once washed, they need enough time to dry, especially for the sand to dry in the weighted pouch. The fabric is water-resistant organic cotton laminate and the laminate allows for water vapour to pass, meaning that even if water gets into the apron through the seams, the apron will be able to dry, but may take longer and need to be turned while drying. The frequency of washing is up to you and depends on your bucks. Some never wash their aprons, others do so regularly.
Do I need to have a spare apron?
It may be helpful to have a spare apron in each size you need in case the apron gets wet (for example if the goats are browsing in the rain or snow), or for the buck to wear while you wash and dry the apron. Having a spare is of course not mandatory, but having a dry apron for the buck to wear after a day walking in wet grass will help him be more comfortable. Not everyone has goats who go out in pastures, so this may not apply to you. As for washing, one idea is that if you have more than one buck of the same size, if you have one spare, then you can wash one apron at a time so that they will always have one even when the other is drying.
It may be helpful to have a spare apron in each size you need in case the apron gets wet (for example if the goats are browsing in the rain or snow), or for the buck to wear while you wash and dry the apron. Having a spare is of course not mandatory, but having a dry apron for the buck to wear after a day walking in wet grass will help him be more comfortable. Not everyone has goats who go out in pastures, so this may not apply to you. As for washing, one idea is that if you have more than one buck of the same size, if you have one spare, then you can wash one apron at a time so that they will always have one even when the other is drying.