OfflineIf your goat is pregnant, it's far more likely she's expecting "kids" plural rather than a "kid" singular. While singleton caprine pregnancies occur, the doe most often has twins or triplets -- or more. Rarely, goats may give birth to five kids.
Most female goats are seasonal breeders, going into estrus in the fall and giving birth in late winter or early spring. Goat gestation lasts between 145 to 155 days, or a little less than five months. Ideally, goat breeders seek a high fertility level in does -- 90 percent or more -- and a birth rate of two goats per pregnancy. It's more common in multiple births greater than two for a kid not to survive until weaning. The more kids a doe has in a pregnancy, the smaller the average birth weight of each newborn, with little kids more likely to die.
Although the numbers of kids a goat produces may not matter in pet goats, on a farm fertility is a priority. Extension agents recommend culling does who have "single births more than once."
The large, predominantly white Boer goat -- most often raised for meat -- is often crossed with other breeds to increase size. The Boer doe has an average kidding rate of 200 percent, or two kids per pregnancy. The Boer breeding rate is "indeterminate," according to the Ohio State University Extension, but does may give birth three times in two years.
The smallest goats often give birth to the most kids. The Nigerian dwarf doe often gives birth to three or four kids per pregnancy, and five babies aren't unusual in the breed. On average, each kid weighs about 2 pounds at delivery. These goats are particularly prolific. Unlike larger goats, Nigerian dwarves breed year-round, and become sexually mature at a very early age. Make sure the baby bucks and does are separated by the age of 7 weeks if you don't want unwelcome pregnancies. Does can be safely bred from the age of 7 months on.
Goats used for dairy production must kid regularly to continue producing milk. The average dairy doe's peak milk production period occurs between four to six weeks after giving birth. Dairy goat farmers look for breeds producing an average of two kids per pregnancy. Twins cause the doe to produce more milk, and the kid survivability rate is high. Most dairy does reach sexual maturity and are initially bred at 7 months of age.
The major dairy goat breeds include:
Goats are smart creatures, and Nubian goats are exceptionally bright caprines. Also known as Anglo Nubians, these docile, friendly animals make good pets, pack and dairy goats. Although they don't produce as much milk as other dairy breeds, what they do produce is higher in butterfat and more flavorful. Caring for Nubians isn't that different from caring for other goats, but their size and fecundity require some special considerations.
Your Nubian doesn't require elaborate shelter, but she does need protection from the elements. If you don't have a barn, a three-sided run-in shed should suffice. The opening must face away from prevailing winds. Provide plenty of bedding, especially for pregnant does close to kidding. Clean the goat's enclosure and pen regularly.
Along with pasture, Nubian goats do well with good alfalfa hay and dairy goat grain concentrates. If your local feed store doesn't stock dairy goat feed per se, choose a high protein goat chow. While it's important to properly feed any goat, it's especially true of a milk-producing doe. Check your fields or any browsing areas for plants that may taint the taste of the milk. Either remove such plants, or keep the goat away from them. Of course, Nubians always require access to fresh, clean water and a salt lick.
Like any goat, Nubians require strong fencing to keep them where you want them. They possess that Houdini-like ability to escape common to their species. Because they are especially tall caprines, you'll need to install higher fencing than with other breeds. The average Nubian doe stands 32 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs at least 130 pounds, with bucks or wethers reaching 36 inches and weighing about 175 pounds, making them one of the largest goat breeds. Whether you choose chain-link, woven wire or electric fencing -- or a combination of electric and another type -- make sure the fence is a minimum of 4 feet high.
Besides their milk's high fat content, Nubian does have some other advantages as dairy animals. These fertile goats continue producing kids long after aging does of other breeds have difficulty conceiving, and they often produce multiple kids with pregnancy -- sometimes as many as four or five. The Nubian also has a longer breeding season than other types of does. Because goat kids are traditionally fed with milk replacer rather than nursing -- partly to keep the doe available for milking and partly to prevent caprine arthritis encephalitis, spread through lactation -- a Nubian might produce dairy milk for 300 days annually.
Your veterinarian will put together a basic vaccination schedule for your Nubians, based on disease risks in your area. Make sure to vaccinate pregnant does for Clostridium perfringens about one month before their due dates. Vaccinate their kids about the age of 6 weeks, with a booster three or four weeks later. Your veterinarian also will recommend a deworming program suitable for your region. Expect to worm your Nubians every one or two months, depending on your climate. Goats living in warm, humid parts of the country usually require more frequent dewormings than those in northern climes. Trim your goat's hooves about every month, depending on growth rates and natural wear.
