I have 1 doe that appears to not be having a heat. She has no discharge ever evident. She does not flirt. I put her with our buck every day and she always runs from him. I’m wondering if I can give her a shot of something or what you recommend? I think she has always been “fat” but I found out that all goats are fat in the show world (At least I think so lol) I got her in February 2020 and cut her grain to 1/2 lb a day but she’s still fat to me. The breeder said it’s actually just a healthy rumen. So I don’t know. She gets free choice mineral. Manna pro and wind and rain. Also herbamins (from land of havilah) with kelp. Famacha 2. All she can hay and pasture. Alfalfa in the evening. Thanks!
One of my does is really big like that (in fact shes a black Boer too) anyway how long have you been trying to breed her? Is it possible she could already be pregnant? Maybe you could cut down her food a little more too (I've heard that some overweight does have problems getting pregnant)
If you are referring to her girth, her stomach girth has nothing to do with her fatness. Body condition is what you should be looking for for that. Hip definition, how pointed their spine is, the fat on their sternum, those are the things that would determine whether she is overweight or not.
I’ve only been leaving her with the buck for about 3 weeks during the day. With the rest of the herd I have just put the girl in with the buck when they are in heat. I guess she could be very recently breed but I highly doubt it because I watch her avoid him non stop it seems like.
Very good point. I am only a year into having goats so I’m still learning. Every time someone new sees her they assume she’s already pregnant because she’s so big in the belly lol
Maybe they did the deed (lol) when you weren't watching. I'm not sure. You could talk to your vet about it and see if they have any input.
I'm only in my second year so I totally understand that there is lots to learn! Here's a really good resource for learning body scoring if you are interested. I can also point you to a very helpful video if you would like to learn more. http://www.luresext.edu/sites/default/files/BCS_factsheet.pdf
I found this to be very helpful to see what you should be looking for. This video is with dairy does, so it might be a little different, but I think it might help all the same. Here you go :
The video is unavailable. She may of been bred and pregnant, but hard to say so early on. Breeding can be missed, as it is so quick. Or her cycle was missed, if you are removing her all night. Some does heat cycles can be short. I had does in the past get bred once and then didn't allow the buck near her after that. If she is a first timer do you know? If she is she, may be afraid of the buck and not know his intentions. However, it is hard, when you are not seeing any heat signs to know for sure. If she isn't in fact coming into heat, a vet can help try to regulate her into coming into heat.
I got it to play but had to go to YouTube. It is her first time. I think I may just call the vet and see what they recommend.
If it her first time, you may have to hold her or tie her up for the buck to breed her, but it makes it super hard when you don't know when she in season, if she isn't showing signs. Some first time does are scared of the bucks when they are what, whating and chasing at them. Having a vet involved may help.
Do you think the buck will be extra excited and show she’s in heat where we could hold her? If that makes sense...?
Her being tied will excite the buck whether she is in season or not. So it is hard to judge that way unfortunately. If she is showing heat signs then things should go well. You only have to teach her once, how to breed, if she is indeed in season. They get the idea thereafter.
Update. Vet gave lute. She said it should bring her into heat within 3 days. If not, come back and get another to give at day 10. So we gave it to her last night. Hoping it works!
