My goat is PREGNANT

[Acre of Blessings]

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Yes, this is our first rodeo on this. Do you all have any pointers for us. What should we look for? What do they do when they have contractions? I have read up on a lot of things but it always seems to go differently each time.

I noticed that she is not up and around as much now as before. We put her in a pen (16X24) with a little house in it so the billy would not be roughing her up. Is this a good idea? She is such a sweet girl, she's still trying to get used to us.

We are planning on bottle feeding the kid/kids, if all goes well. I have heard that the kids will be friendlier. Plus I was going to try the goat milk thing. No, she is not on medicated feed. I will take any and all advice in stride, so if you have any for me, go ahead and post it here.

 

[Chatychick]

If she is getting close it is best not to let her be around the buck as they put off a smell like they are in heat. He can cause her to deliver early or in some cases lose the babies. She will be fine alone as long as they can see each other.
Are you feeding alfalfa pellets or hay? This will increase her milk supply. I do this with all my goats and especially the 1's I plan on milking. It can put a strain on their calcium supply and cause hypocalcimia. Not a good thing, believe me.
Yes the babies are so much more friendly when bottle raised but with friendly goats the babies can be friendly also. Some of mine are dam raise and some are bottle raised. I hate milking tiny teats...lol...I am milking 1 right now, all I can say is be really patient with her if she hasnt been milked before and really praise her and love on her when doing this. They learn from repitition. It wont take long but patience helps100%...Good luck and yes you will know when she goes into labor, she will have contractions and all that applies ...When mine kid I worm the momma right after and give them a place to bond if the babies are dam raised and if not the babies are pulled right after birth and momma is milked for the colostrum. You have a 12 hr window to get them to take it and give them all of it you milk from the dam.The more they get the better.
Feed it in small amounts and dont microwave it, just warm it up in warm water to about 102 temp. That is their normal body temp.
Too cold will make them sick and to hot wont work either. I feed mine only milk for the first 2 wks and then start offering grian, medicated grain for cocci prevention. and some hay also, and water too.
Also a good goat forum can help also like www.goattalk.com or others.
Good luck and watch for her udder to get larger and tight is usually a sign babies are near.

 

[Acre of Blessings]

I am feeding her hay. Do I need alfalfa pellets? How much grain during this time?

Yes, she can see the buck and he can see her. He is in the pasture area with another female (who was preg tested also but came up neg. This femal belongs to my neighbor.

We gave CD/T shots yesterday, we won't have to give another after she kids, will we?

I would like to have a Nubian female, you know, one bigger than a pygmy

 

[helmstead]

I feed my preggers does plenty of hay and alfalfa pellets, gradually increasing the alfalfa and the goat feed (usually doubling it) through the last month (or as their udder fills).

Nope, you won't need to re-do the C/D & T. You might consider BoSe now, though.

VERY exciting! How did you preg-check them? Serum? US?

 

[Chatychick]

When milking I give mine all they can eat. Yes the pellets are easier for them to eat or hay which is usually alfalfa. Its high in calcium and helps them so much better than just regular hay. I feed my milkers at least 3 lbs a day of pellets and about 1 lb grain each milking. Pygmys need at least the same in pellets and you can take down the amout of grain. I feed my Nigi girls that mailk 2 or 3 lbs pellets and 1/2 lbs grain. The more alfalfa the better I keep it out 24/7 so they eat as they want it and I have to refill each day. Its free choice but I do add alfalfa pelets to the feed as it slows them down so I can finish milking and they dont leave any.
No you dont have to redo shots they are yearly unless they need a booster. The kids will eed shots at about 3 to 4 wks of age. I also worm my does after kidding as this is when you will see a increase due to the stress of labor and delivery. With a hormone rise it can bring on lots of worms. Also if you are going to bottle feed the babies cocci prevention is a must.

 

[Acre of Blessings]

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My neighbor has an ultrasound/preg testing machine that she uses on her alpacas. It sends out a beeping tone and when it finds the placenta and and babies and makes contact it sends out a steady tone. I think it is awesome. I'll have to ask what the actual name of it is and how much it cost her.

It's not that big at all, just a little box with a cord attached and the little (my mind went blank) the thing like they use on a preg. woman for the ultrasound. Darn it. Can't think of the name.

 

[Acre of Blessings]

Just wondering, how much do you all feed (grain) your goats on a daily basis?

 

[pinkfeather]

I don't feed mine much grain (if any) if they're not pregnant. But, here's the deal for my pregnant goat: I've read a 1 to 3 ratio on grain to alfalfa. I would do about half and half. It all depends on your goat. I would probably start off with a 1/4 cup grain, 1/4 cup alfalfa. It doesn't seem like much, but you really want to have them eat more hay and pasture. I must say bottle feeding is a VERY good idea. You really can't have friendly goats if you don't bottle feed. Trust me, i've been through that. Misty was also a horrible mom, so it was alot of trouble for us to try to keep her still for the kids. She was good in the begining, but would only feed her 1 buck (Super Buck) later on. And yes, Cocci treament in they're milk and worming them is a very good idea too. I wouldn't let the buck at her and her kids, but they (the mom and the buck) both need someone to hang out with (goats are herd animals...).

Good luck!

 

[helmstead]

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Beg to differ

. All of my kids are dam raised, and all are pocket pets. You can't do ANYTHING in the nursery pen without babies underfoot...and don't sit down! They're in your lap, climbing your back and eating your hair.

As far as feed amounts, generally my does get 2 cups a day in two meals (Nigis and Pygmies). In the last month of gestation, they move to the nursery pen with free choice alfalfa pellets and, as I said before, up to 4 cups of grain.

 

[Acre of Blessings]

Thanks for the information, pinkfeather. I need to get some alfalfa pellets this weekend. She is getting grain and pellets. She isn't free ranging due to the fact that our buck is in the pasture with another female.