Understanding the basics of goat pregnancy, what preparations must be made and when it’s time to breed a doe can increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.
Breeding Basics
Goats, like many other animals that are kept as livestock, are considered seasonally polyestrous, meaning that the females or “does” go into heat periodically during the months of autumn, though this can vary depending on location. In more temperate climates, a goat can go into heat year-round.
In most breeds, a typical goat pregnancy results in one baby goat or “kid.” In some cases, twins can result from a pregnancy, though multiple kids are more common in some breeds and less so in others.
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.
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 bred, although this can vary slightly depending on bloodline and breed.
During the autumn months, the period of daylight becomes shorter and shorter and it’s this that signals the start of the goat’s breeding season. Throughout the fall, it’s not uncommon to see a doe go into heat on several occasions – three is average. In locations that are close to the equator, there is less of a seasonal variation and in these locales, many goats breed year-round.
With a gestation period of approximately 150 days or five months, a goat who is successfully bred in the fall can be expected to give birth the following spring.
Preparing for Pregnancy
“In late summer or at the very start of every fall, I’ll make an appointment to have the veterinarian come out to examine my does if there’s a chance I’ll be breeding them that year,” explained longtime goat breeder and enthusiast Virginia Hadley, who added, “If changes in diet are necessary, it takes time for those changes to have an effect on the doe. We also want to administer any necessary vaccinations before there’s even a chance of mating.”
When preparing to breed a pet goat, it’s vital that the doe is in good health. An overweight or chronically ill goat is not going to be an ideal candidate. So a visit from the veterinarian is an absolute must, as this will ensure the best possible outcome for a doe – be it pregnancy or postponing motherhood until the following year. The veterinarian can also advise on any diet alterations or supplementation that may be necessary for each individual doe.
Various potentially harmful diseases can affect a pregnant doe and her kid in a profoundly negative manner, so an experienced veterinarian must be consulted before the start of breeding season.
In addition to regular annual vaccinations, which include Tetanus Toxoid and Clostridium Perfringens type C and D Toxoid, there are special vaccinations that are recommended prior to breeding. In areas where a particular disease is prevalent, it’s common practice to vaccinate does of breeding age. Chlamydia and Campylobacter Antigen, along with Leptospirosis Bacterin are among the more common pre-pregnancy vaccinations administered to goats.
Recognizing the Signs of Heat and Pregnancy
When a doe comes into heat, this indicates that she is ready to be bred. Behavioral changes that are commonly associated with a goat in heat include vocalizations such as “calling,” mounting other goats, increased interest in male goats or “bucks,” and “flagging” which involves wagging the tail. Decreased appetite is also not unusual in does as they’re coming into heat.
Recording all known breeding incidents is key to determining whether a doe is pregnant, so keeping a log can be beneficial.
There are several ways to determine whether a breeding attempt has been successful. Ultrasound can effectively detect a fetus at approximately 45 days of gestation.
There are also two forms of testing that can be utilized to determine if a goat is pregnant. One test examines hormone levels present in the doe’s milk or blood. Another method tests for specific protein levels in the blood.
Notably, you cannot reliably determine if a goat is pregnant by simply looking at her, even late in the pregnancy.
Before breeding your goat, be sure to consult your veterinarian to ensure that pregnancy will not pose any serious risks to your doe’s health.
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