What's Your Opinion on Average pre-birth bagging up

CountryHaven · #1 04/25/08, 11:56 AM

I have four FF this year and if they are pregnant. It's a little hard to tell, none look especially pregnant, but could be due as late as the end of May. The one thing that has me thinking probably not is none of them are showing any signs of bagging up. Now, I know some can wait and bag up right at the end, but I've just never had that happen, even with FF's. What would you all consider 'normal' for a FF to begin some udder development? For me usually it seems there is SOMETHING even just a little palmsized puffiness at least 4-5 weeks before kidding. Now that would be right around this time period IF they aren't due until the end of May, but boy, did my buck cut it close if he waited that long to get them. haha. I just had my last doe kid day before yesterday though, (not a FF and obviously bred, lol) so I guess it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to think he got these four in the last month he had them as well. He didn't miss anyone else that was in with him, but they were youngish, so if they didn't take I won't hold it against any of them, or him, but I don't want to discount the possibility either. I do have to admit to being a little on edge about it though.

KimM · #2 04/25/08, 02:01 PM

That is something that I have checked with my FF's and I find that there has always been some mammary (glandular) development about a month or so after being bred but they whould start to bag-up about 6-8 weeks before kidding. I got in the habit of udder checking with my miniature horses and it's funny that they weren't too different in that respect.
I have never had one with NO udder development bag-up right before kidding.

Added: From what I've seen, the most bagging up happens about a week before kidding. (But you probably knew that!

)

chris30523 · #3 04/25/08, 03:18 PM

I am with Kim I have never had one not show some changes ,at the latest 4 weeks before FF Boer and she had a tiny single and almost no milk but she is the exception.

Didgery · #4 04/25/08, 03:52 PM

Our yearling FF has developed a very promising udder this week - and she's due on Wednesday! She had a cereal-bowl sized udder develop last month and that has evolved into something much bigger - picture half a volley ball. She doesn't look pregnant in any other manner so I had begun to wonder.

cjb · #5 04/25/08, 05:07 PM

Last year, I had a doe bag up, give milk and NOT have a baby at all.

Hard to predict overall.

ann fr · #6 04/25/08, 05:56 PM

I have a doe that was a ff that did not bag up til she kidded. She gave me triplets first time,and had a beautiful udder,but it came in after she kidded.I dried her off after she was breed and now she is due in about a week and again has no visuable udder . I'll try to post a picture if you'd like.
Ann.

CountryHaven · #7 04/25/08, 06:01 PM

Thanks Ann... I do realize it's more 'normal' to have some development, I guess I was hoping for more examples like yours where it can happen later. I'd love some pics.

Thanks everyone for the responses. I haven't had this happen either, and it is weird that all 4 are like this, they do all come from the same place and are closely related (not inbred, just same sire, dams are sisters, etc) so maybe it's heriditary. LOL who knows.

I guess i'll just have to wait and see, it is only a month more.

**mygoat** · #8 04/25/08, 07:48 PM

I always see notable development - but not filling - of the udder 6 weeks pre-kidding. This is my first year with FF dairy does and it is still holding true for me. About 1-2 weeks before kidding my udders generally form, and they fill with milk within 48 hrs of kidding, getting really tight and full the day of kidding.

ann fr · #9 04/25/08, 07:59 PM

Okay,I'll try to post the pictures.I just took these tonight.This is the doe I spoke of "scobby"

http:/www.msnusers.com/annsphotos

Sorry I don't know how to post photos another way.
Ann.

CountryHaven · #10 04/25/08, 08:22 PM

First of all, I should have mentioned earlier, lol, these are not 'dairy' goats, they are 3/4 boer ff's. I didn't figure it would make much difference though, and all my previous experience is in dairy does. I had several boer does go this year - noticably smaller udders, lol, but still typically developing, but NOT ff's.