Anyone care to say what your average doe age is? I've been a little torn between bettering my genetics and replacing does I'm 90% sure are better than my culls, yet never see any antlers from offspring on a doe who is less than 3 years old.
Average age of your does
- Thread starter ANTLER VALLEY
- Start date
I have a large pool of young does but always seem to have a couple of 5 to 10 year old does...
My oldest doe is seven. The next oldest is 4. These two will never leave the farm, but will always keep most of the young ones.
before starting over with all two yr old's the does were 9,7,6,6,5,5,4,4,4,3 yrs 5.3 yr ave. in the keeper herd their 3yr sons scored 253 241 237 235 225 221 217 typ. 215 204typ 195 off the 3 bred as a fawn, solid money makers ,I keep my does from actual production not wishing on genetics...yes I have eaten some does from expensive semen when the did not produce
Joined May 2009
2,369 Posts | 0+
Chillicothe, Missouri
I keep my does from actual production not wishing on genetics...yes I have eaten some does from expensive semen when the did not produce[/QUOTE]
Curtis is spot on.... Expense and Production...................Do Not always go hand in hand!
Curtis is spot on.... Expense and Production...................Do Not always go hand in hand!
I always like talking about the ages of does. the average age of the does I have fawning this year is 4.75 years. I have 16-2 year old does, 10-3 year olds, 10-4 year olds, 5-5 year olds, 1-6 year old, 2-7 year olds, 1-8 year old, 2-10 year olds, 5-11 year olds, and 1-13 year old doe(Angela). I did just this spring purchase Delilah, at 16 years old. OPEN. She hasn't been with a buck for 3 years now. Risky sure, but she is worth it.
Depending on how you count my 11 month old ones I kept I am averaging 2.97 yrs old.
Oldest is a 2003 Model and she isn't going anywhere I hope!!!
1-2003 model
1-2004 model
1-2005 model
2-2006 models
5-2008 models
11-2009 models
3- 2010 models
12-2011 models (exposed last year)
Oldest is a 2003 Model and she isn't going anywhere I hope!!!
1-2003 model
1-2004 model
1-2005 model
2-2006 models
5-2008 models
11-2009 models
3- 2010 models
12-2011 models (exposed last year)
So, with the exception of a few that are proven that might be older, most does referenced in this thread haven't had a chance to prove themselves. My herd would fall into the the under 3 (average) on age. I would assume that unless you're in the process of growing a herd, you either have to butcher/sell/shoot your oldest does in hopes that your unproven younger girls are the next big thing...just seems like that could be risky, too?
my premise is to keep the good producers and only add ones to the keeper herd that prov themselves , this keeps the numbers down , and although there are some does producing some 160-170 shooters that pay for their keep they are not what you want to long term, I will when I have a doe giving me a 130" 3yr old cull any of her daughters with her, it's just the economics of rationally cutting your losses, now have I make a mistake or two in the past, Yes but I had to wait 3 more years to see a buck get to 190 and I have a line I use when culling does it already is a little flexible in some areas and black and white in others eg. I will try to give an AI daughter a second chance with a different cross but that depends on her dam as well, if her mother is near the cull line her fate is more certain than on who's dam is near the top of the farm
Joined Apr 2009
1,428 Posts | 0+
Northeast Wisconsin
Most of our does are 2-3 years old except for our Jack the Ripper does. They are 7-8. We keep them because no matter what we put with them they produce awesome bucks. They add mass and points. The fawns from Ballistic this year will have Jack in their pedigree 3 times. At some point we will probably sell some, but so far so good.
Joined May 2009
2,369 Posts | 0+
Chillicothe, Missouri
Phillip, Good question on my farm I have sold all of my original does as I was trying to improve my genetics. With that said I hope I have as good of success with my current girls as I had with my original gals because their sons all produced a nice check each year. But I have committed my farm to current group based on what we saw out of bucks that we used. I have 8 Maxin Eagle does all 2010 models(from my 7 2009 "Big Name Does") and all currently having thier first fawns this year. It will take a few years to prove them but they are my core group of does based on the production we have seen from Maxin Eagle male offspring from my "Lesser Does" I have 1 2009 model but she has proven her self with 180" + yearlings and 270"+ 2 year old And 1 2008 model who has her first yearling son on the ground this year.1 2007 that has 240" to 270" sons @ 3 and we bought her cheap and is a doe who has paid for her self and won't be going anywhere.I also have 7 other 2009 models out of "Big Name Genetics" and only 1 has had a SON...............So proving thier production is based soley on the proven traits from thier genetics and thier siblings!
To truely prove a doe herd on a farm can be a LONG process and takes a commitment in time and money and they ability to stay focused on your goals.
To truely prove a doe herd on a farm can be a LONG process and takes a commitment in time and money and they ability to stay focused on your goals.
Joined Aug 2009
629 Posts | 0+
Winnsboro, LA
Well said Wayne. Many folks lack the patience it takes to put the big puzzle together. However a few persistent ,no matter the time it takes and who can focus long term enduring the financial strain will be rewarded. Its not a get rich quick, but some have! Good for them. Im not so fortunate, unlike Wayne whose filthy Rich!......What...... Im just saying........He bought not one but two breeders last fall....... 
It took me ten years to put my first group of ten keeper does together...the next group could take me.....
Joined May 2009
2,369 Posts | 0+
Chillicothe, Missouri