Frisky Goats

When our goats were in season last month they were taken to spend an evening of romance with their gentleman friend Igor. There are no pregnancy test sticks for goats available from the chemist so how can we tell if there has been success? Well the first thing to do is to watch the ladies closely after 19 days to see if theres any sign of them coming back into season. Their normal cycle is 21 days at this time of year, so I marked on the calendar four days from day 19 to 22. I always see my goats once or twice a day anyway and spend some time saying hello, having a chat, and just observing them sometimes for a few minutes, sometimes I sit with them for a while on warm days and chew the cud, they then often rub cheeks with me and sniff my ear.

There were no telltale signs ... no loud bleating (to unashamedly entice any potential billy from miles around), their tails weren't wagging with excitement, and they just generally didn't look frisky! I can't quite put into words how a goat looks frisky, but when you spend time observing your animals, after a while you can read them like a book.  I suppose their movements are a bit more speedy, they seem to glance very often around the countryside and they are a little lighter on their toes ... skipping about as compared to their usual heavier plod. When they do show signs of this 'friskyness' a pat on the base of the back where the tail emerges can result in frantic tail wagging, another sign when put with the other observations gives you the clues that you need. In our case none of these signs have reappeared since their blind date, which bodes well but isn't at 100% guarantee. If we are wrong then we have missed the boat for this year, as they won't be back in season again until next autumn and that would mean no milk and no meat ie an expensive mistake.

Well Igors guardian texted on his behalf on day 19 to enquire as to whether or not Esme or Willow would be interested in another visit. Alas, unfortunately for Igor, I had to reply and explain that both ladies seemed very content and not quite up for adventure.

The other thing we can do to decipher whether or not they are in kid is to wait and see if any kids are born in 5 months time. It's not until quite near the due date that they get big, and if you look closely you may see some kicking around their abdomen area.

Tune back end of April to see if we are blessed with any new arrivals ... best case scenario four healthy kids.

Comments

[Not A Proper Farmer]

I wonder if pregnant goats bulge to the right as well? Keep an eye out for any signs of lop-sidedness.

http://ccgi.notaproperfarmer.co.uk/2008/01/06/how-to-tell-if-a-ewe-is-in-lamb/

[Podchef]

I know how ye feel. . .the waiting can kill you. We just got an un-bred two year old ewe. Though it's late in the season for breeding we've put her in tup to see if we can have some June lambs--just before the grass all goes south!

As we traded her next two fleeces as part of her barter, if she doesn't throw lamb--or "a" lamb--we'll be carrying her for almost a year before we know what she's capable of. . .oh well, I'm getting used to it--our Highland heifer is almost two, but too small to really breed yet either.

Now if only the hens will get laying before we get new chicks and they realize they're up against it in 6 months. At least there's piglets to look forward to in a few weeks. Pork futures are looking good. I have more orders than pork I can raise.

April isn't so very far off, good luck!

[Rebecca (smallholding in Ireland)]

Yes pregnant does do bulge to the right, though I think its because the rumen takes up the space on their left. My goats being long haired its hard to see whats bulging where under all that fleece!

Podchef, we have 2 breeding goats and one doeling. The doeling will be a year old in March and we have chosen not to breed her for another year. Some folk breed them at this age and if fed well they'll be fine, others say its too young and stunts the growth.

[Lizz]

I appreciate your 'organic' approach to knowing if the breeding was a sucess. Just getting to know the goat ladies and feeling them out. It seems so pleasant and kind. Gentle animal husbandry is best low-tech in my humble opinion.

[Lizz]

I appreciate your 'organic' approach to knowing if the breeding was a sucess. Just getting to know the goat ladies and feeling them out. It seems so pleasant and kind. Gentle animal husbandry is best low-tech in my humble opinion.

[kathyann]

oooh I do hope so,can't wait till April comes round!Kathyann