Bred does not gaining weight

[Obe-Willow]

I have two bred does that are due March 10th & 28th, they are not gaining weight, they are both dried off, they were wormed 3 weeks ago with safe guard.
They get free choice grass hay and get alfalfa hay once a day and get grain every once in awhile.
They are not like skin and bones or anything but they don't have a as much weight as I would like to see. What can I do to get some weight on them?

Thanks Marisa

[goatkid]

First of all, the babies do most of their growing in the last 8 weeks of pregnancy, so it's not uncommon for does to not look very pregnant at this stage. I have goats due in the same time period as yours and most are not showing as of yet. You also don't want your does to get fat during their pregnancy. This makes for more problems when they kid. They should be eating mainly alfalfa hay so this is a good time to be gradually increasing the amount of alfalfa they get. It is not a good idea to "occasionally" feed grain. Their rumen needs to adjust to feed changes, so the grain should be fed on a consistant basis, increasing the amount fed as they approach their due date. If these does are truly under weight, adding BOSS to their grain will add some calories to their diet.

[GoldenWood Farm]

Marisa when you say they are not gaining weight as you would like what do you mean? Are their ribs showing more than normal? I personally really dislike safe guard as a wormer as I don't feel it does a good job worming. On the grain thing goatkid is correct if you are going to feed grain it needs to be consistent on when you are feeding it.

My pregnant does right now are all on free choice alfalfa pellets with hay fed once a day (they always have a bit of hay in their feeder though). I have my earliest due Jan 30th (Winnie's mom) and my last is due April 14th with the bulk in February. All my girls look good with nice shiny healthy coats and bright eyes. Not to fat not to skinny.

How does these two girls coats look? Are they rough and coarse or soft and shiny? How does the inside of their eyelids look? Or their gums? My biggest worry always when I think a doe is getting skinnier than she should is worms so this is why I ask if you think your girls should have a bit of weight on them.

Justine

[Cara]

When you say they get grain once in a while, how often do you mean? I give my bred does (due the same time as your's) grain every morning. The Nubian second freshener who is on the thin side two pounds of grain and two pounds of alfalfa pellets. The Nigerian girls who are definitely NOT underweight 1/2 pound of mixed. and all the good grass hay they want.

[DocM]

I have two does due mid Feb, and I really don't think they've "gained" yet. They were in good condition going into pregnancy, and I really don't expect them to show for a few more weeks, late Dec, early January.

[Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians]

You wouldn't expect to see baby size on a doe due in March, all my older does are due in March, are in the process of being dried right now. They are on alfalfa pellets, minerals, water and grass hay. Heed the above info on the little grain now and then, goats thrive on consistancy. Worming 3 weeks ago means you wormed during implantation period and even SAFEguard isn't safe for that. When the does are 50 days bred, run a fecal, worm with something that will take care of the worms found on fecal.

Change your feeding program to alfalfa and grass hay...instead of grass hay and some alfalfa. They are dairy goats? Vicki

[Obe-Willow]

Thanks Everyone.
No I know they would not show yet but they are just a little under weight and there ribs are showing more then normal.
I will check there eyelids & gums in the morning.
How do you do a fecal, do you take it into the vet?
I will start feeding mainly alfalfa with grass hay on the side and feed grain daily.
Yes they are dairy goats.

Thanks Marisa

[Obe-Willow]

Ok, there eyelids and gums are normal and there coats are
soft but not very shiny. I will get some BOSS at the feed store tomorrow.

Thanks Marisa

[goatkid]

I take my fecals to the vet because I don't have a microscope. If you have a microscope and know what to look for, you can do it yourself.