New Goat owner... Possibly pregnant doe

[XLT]

This doeling I traded for yesterday is about 5 months old and has not been separated from anything... including her twin brother, and a few others.

I was told she is a Nigerian Dwarf, and she appears to be so.
The previous owner stated "her brother has been humping her frequently." What is the likelihood of pregnancy at this age, and what gestation age should I guess as likely?

I have read as early as 2 months for fertility for both genders... possibly seven weeks for bucklings?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks

[mygoat]

5 month old bucklings and doelings can certainly breed. And nigies are not seasonal like some of the other breeds. It's quite possible she is pregnant, but how far along she is, nobody could tell you except for maybe an ultrasound done by a good tech. Goat ultrasounds can be tricky as many people aren't trained in sheep/goat - and a nigie fetus may be even more confusing for small ruminant inexperienced to give an approximate duedate.

I think you've got three possible action plans.

You could choose to send a blood test now, and 30 days after they were separated. A blood test now will tell you if she's more than 30d bred. If negative, a blood test 30 days after they were separated will tell you if she was bred more recently.

Alternately, you could just give Lutelyse to abort her in about 14 days (just in case she was bred the day you picked her up). Lutelyse is not 100% effective but it will work in the vast majority of cases. I'd still do a preg draw 30d after lute to be sure it worked. Usually what happens with lute if she's not bred, is she will likely go into heat.

Finally, you could leave her be and hope that you're present to help her kid out. If she's a big girl for her age, and if she's from hardy kidding lines, and if she has multiples, she may kid out fine especially if she's recently bred. Some does will do great despite kidding out early, though can be stunted from the ensuing demands of pregnancy and lactation. Some does and their kids will die in labor.

Personally, I'd terminate the pregnancy either way here. What you end up doing is what you feel comfortable with, of course.

Pregnancy tests are cheap - 6.50. Drawing blood is easy and you can draw, ship, and receive results without the cost of a vet.

[Wonderland]

I second everything mygoat said.

Responsible Nigerian breeders wait until the doe is 40lbs to breed. I'd be surprised if a 5 month old is near that, unless she's mixed with a standard.

In addition to kidding problems, you also have to worry about potential issues from that extremely close inbreeding.

[wintrrwolf]

Agree with all of the above.
I had a young doeling get bred at 4 months of age, I luted her she went into flaming heat, and got knocked up again which I didn't catch (long story) she thankfully kidded fine but it wasn't a sibling that got her.

[Clovers_Clan]

If the breeder had goats of any variable size(i.e. standard/miniature crosses) I would definitely abort the pregnancy. Her age is risky enough. If there is any chance a male she was exposed to is any larger(adult genetics) than her that's not good.

[XLT]

anyone care to venture an opinion from this pic? Don't know how reliable this method is...

[Clovers_Clan]

Originally Posted by mygoat

5 month old bucklings and doelings can certainly breed. And nigies are not seasonal like some of the other breeds. It's quite possible she is pregnant, but how far along she is, nobody could tell you except for maybe an ultrasound done by a good tech. Goat ultrasounds can be tricky as many people aren't trained in sheep/goat - and a nigie fetus may be even more confusing for small ruminant inexperienced to give an approximate duedate.

I think you've got three possible action plans.

You could choose to send a blood test now, and 30 days after they were separated. A blood test now will tell you if she's more than 30d bred. If negative, a blood test 30 days after they were separated will tell you if she was bred more recently.

Alternately, you could just give Lutelyse to abort her in about 14 days (just in case she was bred the day you picked her up). Lutelyse is not 100% effective but it will work in the vast majority of cases. I'd still do a preg draw 30d after lute to be sure it worked. Usually what happens with lute if she's not bred, is she will likely go into heat.

Finally, you could leave her be and hope that you're present to help her kid out. If she's a big girl for her age, and if she's from hardy kidding lines, and if she has multiples, she may kid out fine especially if she's recently bred. Some does will do great despite kidding out early, though can be stunted from the ensuing demands of pregnancy and lactation. Some does and their kids will die in labor.

Personally, I'd terminate the pregnancy either way here. What you end up doing is what you feel comfortable with, of course.

Pregnancy tests are cheap - 6.50. Drawing blood is easy and you can draw, ship, and receive results without the cost of a vet.

Above is the only way you can be sure she is bred or not. If you want to abort and you wait until she "looks" pregnant she will be so far along the risk will be greater and more expensive. Also, if you are planning to breed her this fall you will miss the opportunity to breed at all. She would need extra time to recover from a late term abortion and possibly stunting from putting her energy into growing babies, rather than herself.

Do you have a goat mentor or a reliable vet to help you? Discuss the options above. What will determine what is most cost effective will be what tasks you(or your mentor) can do yourself. If you are completely dependent on a vet the last option will probably be cheapest, fewer farm calls or office charges. The blood draw you can probably handle yourself, even without experience, with a good youtube video.

If, on the other hand, you choose to wait it out, the pregnancy test will still be useful. It may tell you if she bred much younger or more recently. Good information when evaluating her risk. You will still have to be extremely watchful for an extended period of time without an accurate due date.