FAQ

Abortion

An abortion is a premature expulsion of a fetus before full gestation has elapsed.

If a doe aborts after 141 days gestation, the fetuses have a pretty good chance of survival.  Before that date, they generally die

Goat sexually mature: From 4 to 6 months



Average length of pregnancy

Average length of pregnancy is 150 days or about 5 months (145-156 normal range)   

Goats bearing triplets often kid slightly earlier, at about 149 days.  

Goats with single kids kid at approximately 151 days.  

Doe kids tend to be carried one day longer than buck kids.  

Birth weights of twins are approximately 0.91 of the weight of a single dairy goat kid.  

Birth weights of triplets are approximately 0.82 of the weight of a single dairy goat kid


Dry period

-Goats should be allowed to rest 2 months before birthing.  Since there is a 5 month gestation, the goat can milk 3 months after being bred, and then rests month 4 and 5.  The rest period allows the goat’s mammary system to repair.  (Haskell, Mastitis) 
  
- Many producers put an antibiotic treatment such as “Tomorrow” into the udder at dry off to prevent mastitis.  Others merely seal off the udder to prevent bacteria from entering the canal. (Example product: SureSeal.)   Both are very effective at preventing mastitis. (Haskell, Mastitis). 
  
- Very high producing does need a longer dry period.  If you do not allow your does to rest, they will produce only 65-75% as much milk in the next lactation.


Signs of heat

Doe walks restlessly along fence, looking for a way to get to the buck.
Vulva is swollen.
Tail wags vigorously.
Doe urinates more frequently.
Appetite decreases.
Milk yield decreases.
Doe stands firm when buck mounts.
Doe exudes a clear, colorless discharge at beginning of heat, progressively becoming more opaque and white in color as heat progresses. (Smith, 412)
Signs that heat is ending

You will see a cheesy white to yellow colored mucous in the vagina



Signs of pregnancy

-Absence of heat: After you have bred a doe, check her again after 18-24 days.  If she is showing signs of heat then she is not pregnant and needs to be bred again.  If she shows no signs of heat, then you can assume she may be bred. (Belanger, 92) 
  
-Increased elasticity of the skin around the vulva and pin bones is an indication of pregnancy. 
  
-An enlarging abdomen can be a sign of pregnancy. (Smith, 414-415, 432) 
  
-A slight enlargement and smoothing of the wrinkles that normally are around the vulva is a sign of pregnancy 
(Smith, 414-415, 432) 
  
-Development of an udder is not proof of pregnancy, even in young yearlings.

Goat Gestation Calculator

http://www.goatbiology.com/animations/gestcalculator.html


Reproduction in the Goat (videos)  

http://www.goatbiology.com/animations/reproduction.html



Time between heat periods

-Heat periods come every 21 days. (Smith) (Haskell, Caprine and Cervidae Reproduction) 
  
-Don't assume the doe is pregnant just because she was bred.  Check the doe 18-24 days after breeding.  If she is showing 
 signs of heat, the breeding didn’t take.  Do it again.  
  
-You have six chances, once every three weeks, to get a doe bred in the natural breeding season, September – December.



Duration of standing heat

24 hrs. for doelings, 2-3 days for mature does


Breeding Older Does

There are two management options to decrease risk to older does.

1) If you need milk production, just milk her through and don't breed her every year.

2) Of you need kids more than milk, you can extend the length of her kidding years by drying her up after kidding. Then let her rest until the next breeding