Young doe- was she in heat?

[CochAddict]

I have 3 ND goats, 1 buck 2 does. I have been keeping them together (unfortunately) as we had to move unexpectedly and life happened hard the last month before I could get another pen set up (Dad died unexpectedly out of state, family got covid, grandma fell and needed care). I feel very irresponsible for keeping them all together for even a short time because even though I was preoccupied of course I knew this was possible! My does are 7 months old and I just noticed that her rear had some hardened discharge, about a clear but slightly greenish color. The end of her tail appears to have some on it too. I have been gone the last couple weeks and now am wondering whether she was in heat. The person who took care of my animals said she didn't notice anything but I also don't think she was checking their rears or would notice if so! Her twin sis does not seem to have any discharge. I worry that if she was in heat she is too young to kid. If anyone can help determine whether or not that sounds like post-heat discharge I would be so grateful!

 

[HKG]

I have 3 ND goats, 1 buck 2 does. I have been keeping them together (unfortunately) as we had to move unexpectedly and life happened hard the last month before I could get another pen set up (Dad died unexpectedly out of state, family got covid, grandma fell and needed care). I feel very irresponsible for keeping them all together for even a short time because even though I was preoccupied of course I knew this was possible! My does are 7 months old and I just noticed that her rear had some hardened discharge, about a clear but slightly greenish color. The end of her tail appears to have some on it too. I have been gone the last couple weeks and now am wondering whether she was in heat. The person who took care of my animals said she didn't notice anything but I also don't think she was checking their rears or would notice if so! Her twin sis does not seem to have any discharge. I worry that if she was in heat she is too young to kid. If anyone can help determine whether or not that sounds like post-heat discharge I would be so grateful!

@cassie do you have any idea?

 

[CochAddict]

Also, I thought about it earlier, the buck was still chasing her around, smelling backside etc last night and she was running from him wanted nothing to do with him (before I noticed her backside discharge) Would he still be doing this if she were bred?

 

[RosemaryDuck]

Does can breed pretty early, but they really shouldn't be bred until at least a year old. They can become pregnant around 4-5 months. It's a pretty high possibility she is pregnant since you mentioned the buck is chasing.

If you can, I would get a farm vet out (or take her) and see if they can detect anything yet. It may still be early, but it will give you a good idea and you won't be surprised if she kids.

Hope this helps!

 

[cassie]

If the doelings are well nourished and well grown there should not be any problem of them being bred at seven months. A lot of commercial dairymen breed their doelings to kid at a year. If well fed they will continue to grow even though pregnant and milking. I once had a kid get bred at about three months of age. Ooops!! I don't know who was more surprised, me or her. I did not milk her that year. Everything turned out fine and both mother and daughter matured into fine big does.

 

[CochAddict]

Does can breed pretty early, but they really shouldn't be bred until at least a year old. They can become pregnant around 4-5 months. It's a pretty high possibility she is pregnant since you mentioned the buck is chasing.

If you can, I would get a farm vet out (or take her) and see if they can detect anything yet. It may still be early, but it will give you a good idea and you won't be surprised if she kids.

Hope this helps!

Thank you! I did get in contact with my vet and he feels the girls will do fine if they are in fact pregnant, we have a tentative x-ray planned at four months just to check everything out if so! Appreciate your response.

 

[CochAddict]

If the doelings are well nourished and well grown there should not be any problem of them being bred at seven months. A lot of commercial dairymen breed their doelings to kid at a year. If well fed they will continue to grow even though pregnant and milking. I once had a kid get bred at about three months of age. Ooops!! I don't know who was more surprised, me or her. I did not milk her that year. Everything turned out fine and both mother and daughter matured into fine big does.

Thanks so much for your reply and for adding your experience, I really appreciate it! After talking with my vet I plan to watch the girls and see if they are indeed pregnant and plan to let them carry if so! Any way to identify goat pregnancy early on?

 

[629864]

Fingers crossed everything turns out fine for your does. We have one 9 month old doe and a miniature buck (we were told he was a kid and we didnt know better). He has been trying to mount her (and our 11 month old female lamb) for a few months, but she's too large for him (and the lamb just looks at him like he's crazy). I doubt she is pregnant or will become so from him, but if so, we'll cross that bridge when it happens. It would be fine and she's old enough.

 

[CochAddict]

Does she look pregnant? Wondering if she might be a bit further than I thought?

 

[cassie]

You won't see many signs of pregnancy until the doe is about three months along, Usually the vulva looks a bit puffy. Stand behind the doe and study the area where the rear udder joins the body. Changes in the udder because of pregnancy will first be seen here.