How/when can we tell if does are bred?

LFRJ · #1 12/30/12, 02:41 PM

besides a blood test. Sadly (or not so sadly) it has become apparent - due to the number of times our Kiko doe has gotten her head stuck in the fence in a single day), that she is not bred. She's in heat again so that's strike one. We have 4 other does, each one got their turn with our buck over that past two months. He's 6 months. I believe one of the kinder does cycled again two weeks ago and we did not re-introduce to the buck - so that's strike two. Of the remaining three, it would be nice to know - and eventually we more than certainly will. Any other signals we can be looking for in the mean time? Our earliest doe, and the one most likely to be bred, would be due in April, so too early to bounce - not that I would know what I'm doing anyway.

I don't have the money for a blood draw ($100) and do not have the means nor knowledge to do myself. Kinders are rather barrell shaped anyway, and rather always look like "they're showing" to me. (I've had visitors ask when our goats were due numerous times before we even had a buck. Fortunately our does weren't terribly offended). So once more my query - any other clues we can be looking for?

Tx

harvestmoonfarm · #2 12/30/12, 02:52 PM

I just put the buck in with my does for several weeks when it was time to breed. The buck will stimulate the does and cause them to cycle. My girls all ended up bred within the first 3-4 days because they were all suddenly "in love" with the buck

lordoftheweeds · #3 12/30/12, 02:58 PM

Don't sell yourself short on drawing blood. I just did it for the first time a couple weeks ago. I watched a few videos and it was pretty easy. The Biopryn lab sent me the tubes and needles and for the 2 does it cost under $20 for the tubes and tests.

harvestmoonfarm · #4 12/30/12, 03:27 PM

I ordered my kit from Biotracking and plan to draw next weekend. My last doe was bred on December 4th, so that should be plenty of time. I know from observation the other two girls are bred, but also plan to have their blood sent on for CL testing from WADDL.

ETA: The videos are great. I figure if all else fails, I'll get my daughter (she's an RN) to come out and do the draw - lol

LFRJ · #5 12/30/12, 03:29 PM

When you say 'I know from observation the other two girls are bred" - what are you observing? These are the type of clues I"m looking for.

harvestmoonfarm · #6 12/30/12, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LFRJ

When you say 'I know from observation the other two girls are bred" - what are you observing? These are the type of clues I"m looking for.

They were bred the first week in October. Neither have cycled again, and both are already getting pretty big. The two does that were with them (which were killed by dogs in November) were each carrying 1 kid (my husband checked postmortem), and even prior to their deaths I knew they were bred because they never came back into heat. Hope this helps

Goat Servant · #7 12/30/12, 04:16 PM

Generally we leave does in with buck for several days. Even if Ive witnessed several sucessful breedings, ie doe standing & a good last
thrust with his head thrown back & he almost literally falls off.
About 18 days later if doe is flagging or calling we bring her back to buck.
Im no good at the bouncy thing either. Some does carry deep & you cant tell by just looking at them.
Does the guy at the bottom of the hill have an ultrasound device?

**mygoat** · #8 12/30/12, 04:19 PM

Well, your first sign is that they aren't cycling. You must be observant for this to work, though.

An ultrasound can be done as well - I believe it's a few days earlier than the blood test to be accurate, but don't know an exact timeframe.

You can do a blood test 30 days post buck removal, that you already know. Drawing blood is easy, watching videos and you should be able to do it. Asking around if anybody can teach you may also work.

About 6 weeks prekidding, does will start to develop an udder. If you palpate their udder, it will fill your palm instead of being almost non-existant. Feel your does now to get an idea of when they start to develop on each individual, as they're all a bit different. All normal goats will have some sort of udder development pre-kidding, but how the milk comes in and how much it develops can vary drastically.

And finally, the best way to tell if they are bred is when the doe is laying on her side screaming with hooves coming out of her.

harvestmoonfarm · #9 12/30/12, 04:47 PM

My big Nubian doe carries deep, but is almost 3 months bred, so she's *finally* starting to show a bit. My LM doe, however, looks like a little barrel already, and was bred at the same time. Each goat is individual, so it's really just a matter of knowing your goats and how each develops. This is my first year with the LM, but I'll be surprised if she kids with anything less than twins.

LFRJ · #10 12/30/12, 05:12 PM

Thanks for the info - am open to more 'clues's and indications if more of you have them. (Mygoat, you're hilarious - and yes, I figure by May, we should know for sure!). The reason I ask is - we put our Kiko back in with the buck. (He's 8 months now, born in May and i can't count. For those of you following the saga, no - we haven't eaten him yet).

We're not gung-ho on breeding. If it happens great - doesn't- great. It's just that this is our problem doe who gets her head stuck in the fence routinely. I sincerely believe the shape of her rack causes her to have problems where the others don't. Goes in easy, erect horns prevent from reversing back out. We free her and then within 30 seconds, she'll stick her head back in to see lover boy on the other side. (If only she were smart enough to put the other end into the fence, she'd accomplish her mission). We're feeling that breeding her will prevent her from killing herself by spending a day hung up on the fence in cold wet weather - which has happened repeatedly also.

Now. The Kinder crew, upon watching the tryst in action, are acting mighty heated themselves, which surprises me because I'd have figured 2 of the three were bred.
So - when do they start adding on the girth that will help indicate? I've seen plenty of pictures of does ready to deliver - bigger than a house, but that's in the last week of carrying.

harvestmoonfarm · #11 12/30/12, 05:16 PM

Again, it depends on the doe. My Nubian just started showing (at almost 3 months) because she carries deep, while my LM has spread outward the entire time.