how early can you tell?

[MamaDee]

HI, all.

I have an alpine/nubian cross doe who was with a buck the whole month of March. I never saw any overt signs of heat so I assumed we missed her season. But....if she did get bred, when could I expect to see something? I know to watch for the vulva getting longer, but when does that start?

Dee

[PygmyLover]

at aprox 2 - 3 months (depends on how good you are at telling)

[MamaDee]

Hmmm...so I doubt Lightning (nubie alpine cross) is pregnant. She would be between 2 and 3 months along right now and I don't see anything. Her vulva still looks short and tight compared to Lilly.

Now that leads me to another question.....Lilly had a miscarriage 3 weeks ago. We think she did anyway....we saw blood on her tail for a couple of days when she was 6 weeks along. But now three weeks later her vulva is still elongated. Is this normal after losing a kid? She clearly looks different than Lightning. There hasn't been enough time for her to go into heat again, so I can't tell from that. How long after a miscarriage might she cycle again (she's a pure nubian).

I'm just hoping beyond hope that someone could be pregnant! I think it's too late to rebreed anyone this year. .

Dee