Mature males are normally active throughout the year although their semen quality declines from September to December. Buck ratio at mating can be between 1.0 and 1.5 per cent. Normally, does are joined for five weeks, to cover two oestrous cycles of 17 to 21 days each. Breeders usually select a period between February and April. The interval between conception and parturition averages 150 days.
Place does in a sheltered paddock before kidding.
Feral does commonly average 130 per cent kidding. The does suckle their young in early morning and evening. When paddock feed is limited, the does 'plant' their kids in sheltered positions and go to browse. Kid survival is very high in the goat, with losses from au causes between birth and weaning being less than 10 per cent - in the absence of predators. The high survival rate ensures that many replacement doe progeny are available for selection into the upgrading enterprise.