Female goats or “does” will come into heat several times each year, typically during the fall months, so the decision on whether to breed a doe is one that every owner must face. Understanding the basics, and the potential benefits and downfalls can help in that decision-making process.
The Basics
The average gestation period is approximately five months, or 150 days. Most goats’ pregnancies result in one or two baby goats or “kids.”
A doe will reach an appropriate breeding age at about one year. By this age, the body has matured and grown to a size that makes it possible to safely maintain a pregnancy. But juvenile goats – as young as seven or eight weeks of age – can become pregnant, so separating males and females must be done before the juvenile female or “doeling” reaches two months of age.
Rather than focusing on age, some goatkeepers instead look at a goat’s weight to determine if she’s a candidate for breeding. On average, a doe must reach 75 pounds before she can be safely bred, although this can vary slightly depending on bloodline and breed.
To Breed or Not to Breed?
Whether or not to breed a goat is a very personal decision. Goats who are kept as pets are typically bred less often, but the rewards in raising a healthy, friendly kid into a balanced adult can be tremendous.
Goats who are kept as livestock and for milk production are bred more often as a way to boost productivity, particularly if the goats being bred are from robust, healthy bloodlines.
“If you keep your goats as pets, I urge you to think of it this way: Don’t breed her if you’re not okay with losing her. Pregnancy can be dangerous and potentially deadly - I don’t think many goat owners fully realize how risky it actually is. Pregnancy is stressful on the body and it can shorten your girl’s life expectancy,” explained Virginia Hadley, goat breeder and enthusiast.
When preparing to breed a goat, it’s vital that the doe is in good health and a visit from the veterinarian will ensure the best possible outcome for a doe – be it pregnancy or postponing motherhood. The veterinarian can also advise on any diet alterations or supplementation that may be necessary for each individual doe.
In addition, special vaccinations are necessary before a goat is bred to help increase the chances of a healthy doe and kid during the pregnancy. These recommended vaccinations include Chlamydia and Campylobacter Antigen, and Leptospirosis Bacterin.
“It’s not just a matter of breeding your doe and letting nature take its course. A doe will need special vaccinations and other special care throughout the five-month gestation period. There’s going to be lots of veterinary bills, added food and supplement costs and that’s if everything goes as planned. A difficult pregnancy can cost you thousands of dollars and the mental and emotional toll can be much higher. It's relatively uncommon, but it can happen,” Hadley added.
Breeding can take its toll on a doe’s body and goats who are bred frequently tend to have a shorter lifespan of ten to 12 years. Not breeding a doe or retiring her from kidding by age seven or eight can dramatically extend her lifespan, which can extend into the mid-teens or early 20’s.
Consulting a veterinarian and researching the basics of breeding can help goat caretakers make an educated decision on what’s best for both goat and owner.
