I give mine a little extra pelleted feed, same hay (sometimes switch to alfalfa shortly before and after birth depending on doe's condition), lots of clean water, and free choice minerals. Also I sometimes give them a dose of vitamin E and selenium if needed. If they haven't had a copper bolus in a while, they may get one too.
Pregnant Goat Care
We are bringing home a goat within the next week and a half and she will be 33 days pregnant. She will be our very first pregnant goat. I’m looking for a little extra guidance as I continue researching and preparing for her pregnancy. We have 2 others does here who will not be having babies this coming spring. I know that our pregnant goat will need extra nutrition. What’s the best way I can go about making sure she is getting all that she needs to have a healthy pregnancy since she’ll need more than the other 2? Is it okay to feed them all the same hay still? Or should I give her alfalfa hay in the morning and evening on the milk stand away from the other 2? I’m open to all recommendations on must haves or must do for pregnant goats.
1 - 18 of 18 Posts
Hey, welcome to The Goat Spot! Glad you're here! Congrats on the new addition to your herd!
As long as she doesn't get bullied, she can eat with the other girls. I would definitely feed her alfalfa hay or grass hay with alfalfa pellets - they need the calcium from alfalfa hay when pregnant, lactating and/or growing.
Make sure she has access to clean fresh water and a good free choice, loose mineral - those are every important for goats. I really like this brand: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/purina-wind-rain-storm-all-season-75-complete
When she is a month out from kidding, give her CD/T and a dose of selenium gel. If she has not received any CD/T before, she'll need some about two months from kidding and another dose when she is a month out from kidding. Same with the selenium gel, if she is not getting any minerals and/or is showing signs of being selenium deficient (weak pasterns/ankles, bend in tail) she will need the gel sooner - same goes for giving copper boluses, copper deficiency signs include rough/dull/faded coat and loosing hair on the end of tail.
She most likely won't need grain until her last month of pregnancy, but it really depends on her condition and how many kids she has. You don't want to feed lots of grain early on because there is a risk of making the kids big and harder for her to deliver. You also don't want her to be skinny. Find the happy medium - look up scoring a goats' body condition. It would be a good idea to ask what her current owner is feeding her.
I would ask her owner if she has had a fecal done recently to tell if she has a worm load. If not, it would be a good idea to do that and check her FAMACHA score as well.
There are lots of things you should have on hand for when she delivers, some things necessary while other things for "just in case" - it's always a good idea to be over prepared than under. I would recommend doing lots of research on goat birthing and kidding kit supplies. Watching kidding videos can be very helpful too. Not trying or hoping to scare you, most goat births go very well requiring no extra help from us while others can be a nightmare if one is not properly prepared.
I would love to see a picture of the new doe you'll be getting!
Hope this helps!
As long as she doesn't get bullied, she can eat with the other girls. I would definitely feed her alfalfa hay or grass hay with alfalfa pellets - they need the calcium from alfalfa hay when pregnant, lactating and/or growing.
Make sure she has access to clean fresh water and a good free choice, loose mineral - those are every important for goats. I really like this brand: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/purina-wind-rain-storm-all-season-75-complete
When she is a month out from kidding, give her CD/T and a dose of selenium gel. If she has not received any CD/T before, she'll need some about two months from kidding and another dose when she is a month out from kidding. Same with the selenium gel, if she is not getting any minerals and/or is showing signs of being selenium deficient (weak pasterns/ankles, bend in tail) she will need the gel sooner - same goes for giving copper boluses, copper deficiency signs include rough/dull/faded coat and loosing hair on the end of tail.
She most likely won't need grain until her last month of pregnancy, but it really depends on her condition and how many kids she has. You don't want to feed lots of grain early on because there is a risk of making the kids big and harder for her to deliver. You also don't want her to be skinny. Find the happy medium - look up scoring a goats' body condition. It would be a good idea to ask what her current owner is feeding her.
I would ask her owner if she has had a fecal done recently to tell if she has a worm load. If not, it would be a good idea to do that and check her FAMACHA score as well.
There are lots of things you should have on hand for when she delivers, some things necessary while other things for "just in case" - it's always a good idea to be over prepared than under. I would recommend doing lots of research on goat birthing and kidding kit supplies. Watching kidding videos can be very helpful too. Not trying or hoping to scare you, most goat births go very well requiring no extra help from us while others can be a nightmare if one is not properly prepared.
I would love to see a picture of the new doe you'll be getting!
Hope this helps!
Keep in mind that the other 2 goats are really going to bully her. Keep a close watch because a good hit to the side can end a pregnancy.
Yes I would agree with Ksalvagno on the bullying she is going to get. I would suggest separation them for a while and let them get use to one another before running them together. I have had a bad experience with bullying this past kidding season. So pay special attention to that. good luck.
I definitely will! Thank you! The other girls are younger, would that make a difference in how much or the way that they would bully?Keep in mind that the other 2 goats are really going to bully her. Keep a close watch because a good hit to the side can end a pregnancy.
Thank you! I will try that!Yes I would agree with Ksalvagno on the bullying she is going to get. I would suggest separation them for a while and let them get use to one another before running them together. I have had a bad experience with bullying this past kidding season. So pay special attention to that. good luck.
Thank you!I give mine a little extra pelleted feed, same hay (sometimes switch to alfalfa shortly before and after birth depending on doe's condition), lots of clean water, and free choice minerals. Also I sometimes give them a dose of vitamin E and selenium if needed. If they haven't had a copper bolus in a while, they may get one too.
Thank you so much!!! I will definitely make sure I ask the owner those questions and have the alfalfa ready. As far as minerals go, we use the manna pro brand right now but a few days ago I saw on a goat group page that it wasn’t a good choice for them. Should I go ahead and switch to the Purina goat minerals? I definitely want them to have the correct minerals.Hey, welcome to The Goat Spot! Glad you're here! Congrats on the new addition to your herd!
As long as she doesn't get bullied, she can eat with the other girls. I would definitely feed her alfalfa hay or grass hay with alfalfa pellets - they need the calcium from alfalfa hay when pregnant, lactating and/or growing.
Make sure she has access to clean fresh water and a good free choice, loose mineral - those are every important for goats. I really like this brand: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/purina-wind-rain-storm-all-season-75-complete
When she is a month out from kidding, give her CD/T and a dose of selenium gel. If she has not received any CD/T before, she'll need some about two months from kidding and another dose when she is a month out from kidding. Same with the selenium gel, if she is not getting any minerals and/or is showing signs of being selenium deficient (weak pasterns/ankles, bend in tail) she will need the gel sooner - same goes for giving copper boluses, copper deficiency signs include rough/dull/faded coat and loosing hair on the end of tail.
She most likely won't need grain until her last month of pregnancy, but it really depends on her condition and how many kids she has. You don't want to feed lots of grain early on because there is a risk of making the kids big and harder for her to deliver. You also don't want her to be skinny. Find the happy medium - look up scoring a goats' body condition. It would be a good idea to ask what her current owner is feeding her.
I would ask her owner if she has had a fecal done recently to tell if she has a worm load. If not, it would be a good idea to do that and check her FAMACHA score as well.
There are lots of things you should have on hand for when she delivers, some things necessary while other things for "just in case" - it's always a good idea to be over prepared than under. I would recommend doing lots of research on goat birthing and kidding kit supplies. Watching kidding videos can be very helpful too. Not trying or hoping to scare you, most goat births go very well requiring no extra help from us while others can be a nightmare if one is not properly prepared.
I would love to see a picture of the new doe you'll be getting!
Hope this helps!
The blonde colored one is the one we will be bringing homeHey, welcome to The Goat Spot! Glad you're here! Congrats on the new addition to your herd!
As long as she doesn't get bullied, she can eat with the other girls. I would definitely feed her alfalfa hay or grass hay with alfalfa pellets - they need the calcium from alfalfa hay when pregnant, lactating and/or growing.
Make sure she has access to clean fresh water and a good free choice, loose mineral - those are every important for goats. I really like this brand: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/purina-wind-rain-storm-all-season-75-complete
When she is a month out from kidding, give her CD/T and a dose of selenium gel. If she has not received any CD/T before, she'll need some about two months from kidding and another dose when she is a month out from kidding. Same with the selenium gel, if she is not getting any minerals and/or is showing signs of being selenium deficient (weak pasterns/ankles, bend in tail) she will need the gel sooner - same goes for giving copper boluses, copper deficiency signs include rough/dull/faded coat and loosing hair on the end of tail.
She most likely won't need grain until her last month of pregnancy, but it really depends on her condition and how many kids she has. You don't want to feed lots of grain early on because there is a risk of making the kids big and harder for her to deliver. You also don't want her to be skinny. Find the happy medium - look up scoring a goats' body condition. It would be a good idea to ask what her current owner is feeding her.
I would ask her owner if she has had a fecal done recently to tell if she has a worm load. If not, it would be a good idea to do that and check her FAMACHA score as well.
There are lots of things you should have on hand for when she delivers, some things necessary while other things for "just in case" - it's always a good idea to be over prepared than under. I would recommend doing lots of research on goat birthing and kidding kit supplies. Watching kidding videos can be very helpful too. Not trying or hoping to scare you, most goat births go very well requiring no extra help from us while others can be a nightmare if one is not properly prepared.
I would love to see a picture of the new doe you'll be getting!
Hope this helps!
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Thank you! Is there a specific brand you prefer for the vitamin E and selenium?I give mine a little extra pelleted feed, same hay (sometimes switch to alfalfa shortly before and after birth depending on doe's condition), lots of clean water, and free choice minerals. Also I sometimes give them a dose of vitamin E and selenium if needed. If they haven't had a copper bolus in a while, they may get one too.
Not really. The 2 have already established a herd order and goats aren't nice to newcomers. So it will be two against one. It all depends on individual goats with how they will act.I definitely will! Thank you! The other girls are younger, would that make a difference in how much or the way that they would bully?
How old and what breed are your current goats?I definitely will! Thank you! The other girls are younger, would that make a difference in how much or the way that they would bully?
You're so welcome! Yes, Manna Pro is not the best mineral, I would switch to a better one. The one I linked in my first post is excellent! I know it's for cattle, but it has the proper amounts of minerals goats need without having to supplement too much. All I have to supplement my herd is with the selenium and vitamin e gel (I get mine from TSC - they only have one brand I believe). I would also ask her owners if the pregnant goat has received BoSe recently. BoSe is a yearly (or twice a year) selenium injection you get from a vet. If she has gotten BoSe within the past year, she mostly wouldn't need any selenium gel until it's been a year since she received the BoSe. Since the minerals come in a 50lb bag, I like to store mine in a 50lb pet food bin from Walmart to keep it fresh - one bag will last several years with your small herd. I have never had to copper bolus since switching from Manna Pro to the minerals I linked above. My goats' coats look sooo much better now! Keep in mind this is only what works for my herd and location. 😉😊Thank you so much!!! I will definitely make sure I ask the owner those questions and have the alfalfa ready. As far as minerals go, we use the manna pro brand right now but a few days ago I saw on a goat group page that it wasn’t a good choice for them. Should I go ahead and switch to the Purina goat minerals? I definitely want them to have the correct minerals.
Aww, she's a pretty girl! 🥰 What breed?The blonde colored one is the one we will be bringing home
Another thing I just remembered is hoof trimming. Make sure it doesn't stress her out when trimming her hooves. Also try not to trim them when she is in her last month of pregnancy if she is heavy with kids. Ask her pervious owner when the last time her hooves were trimmed to see when you'll need to trim them next.
I will make sure to ask about those things as well and look into the other minerals before we bring her home. I do want to switch their minerals. I’m making a list of questions to ask the owner before Monday when we go to the farm again. I think the owner will be able to give that information. She seemed very organized and was able to give a lot of information when we discussed the goat originally. She is miniature nubian and our other 2 are as well. The other 2 are eight months old.How old and what breed are your current goats?
You're so welcome! Yes, Manna Pro is not the best mineral, I would switch to a better one. The one I linked in my first post is excellent! I know it's for cattle, but it has the proper amounts of minerals goats need without having to supplement too much. All I have to supplement my herd is with the selenium and vitamin e gel (I get mine from TSC - they only have one brand I believe). I would also ask her owners if the pregnant goat has received BoSe recently. BoSe is a yearly (or twice a year) selenium injection you get from a vet. If she has gotten BoSe within the past year, she mostly wouldn't need any selenium gel until it's been a year since she received the BoSe. Since the minerals come in a 50lb bag, I like to store mine in a 50lb pet food bin from Walmart to keep it fresh - one bag will last several years with your small herd. I have never had to copper bolus since switching from Manna Pro to the minerals I linked above. My goats' coats look sooo much better now! Keep in mind this is only what works for my herd and location. 😉😊
Aww, she's a pretty girl! 🥰 What breed?
Another thing I just remembered is hoof trimming. Make sure it doesn't stress her out when trimming her hooves. Also try not to trim them when she is in her last month of pregnancy if she is heavy with kids. Ask her pervious owner when the last time her hooves were trimmed to see when you'll need to trim them next.
Sounds like a plan!
Aww, I love mini Nubians! 🥰 Your other two are a bit on the younger side so there might not be too much bulling, as mention though, keep on eye on them.
Good luck with your new girl!
Aww, I love mini Nubians! 🥰 Your other two are a bit on the younger side so there might not be too much bulling, as mention though, keep on eye on them.
Good luck with your new girl!
Feed normally up to the last 2 months.
Then start feeding alfalfa hay 2 x a day.
Continue feeding that way.
The last month, I give a small amount of molasses grain once a day.
At this time, one month prior I give CD&T vaccine booster.
I worm with plain Ivomec, orally.
If they look like they have a mineral deficiency, give supplements.
Trim hooves if needed.
Then start feeding alfalfa hay 2 x a day.
Continue feeding that way.
The last month, I give a small amount of molasses grain once a day.
At this time, one month prior I give CD&T vaccine booster.
I worm with plain Ivomec, orally.
If they look like they have a mineral deficiency, give supplements.
Trim hooves if needed.
Thank you so much! I appreciate your help!Sounds like a plan!
Aww, I love mini Nubians! 🥰 Your other two are a bit on the younger side so there might not be too much bulling, as mention though, keep on eye on them.
Good luck with your new girl!
Thank you!Feed normally up to the last 2 months.
Then start feeding alfalfa hay 2 x a day.
Continue feeding that way.
The last month, I give a small amount of molasses grain once a day.
At this time, one month prior I give CD&T vaccine booster.
I worm with plain Ivomec, orally.
If they look like they have a mineral deficiency, give supplements.
Trim hooves if needed.
1 - 18 of 18 Posts
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