Freshening Does...

[ArtisticFarmer]

I want goats so bad! However, I am not sure about being able to freshen the does so the can continue to give milk. Will they give milk without freshening? If not, how often do you freshen them and what are the basics on breeding/birthing goats? I'll be getting 2 ND does, and I read they can have up to 6!!! How common is this? See, I don't have a problem with having up to 12 kids running around, but I don't have that much space. How much does it cost to raise kids to selling age?

 

[AshleyFishy]

They kid pretty much every year in order to have milk. It really depends on the doe herself, some dry themselves off after only a few months...while others keep going and going and going.

In rare cases they can start lactating without being pregnant. Twins and singles are the most common. I've seen quads and triples every now and then. Quints and sextuplets are more uncommon and I haven't seen any personally.

If your keeping your future goats for milk you can sell the kids after they have had their colostrum as bottle babies. Other than that cost will depend on age, gender, feed costs in your area...etc.

 

[ArtisticFarmer]

They kid pretty much every year in order to have milk. It really depends on the doe herself, some dry themselves off after only a few months...while others keep going and going and going.

In rare cases they can start lactating without being pregnant. Twins and singles are the most common. I've seen quads and triples every now and then. Quints and sextuplets are more uncommon and I haven't seen any personally.

If your keeping your future goats for milk you can sell the kids after they have had their colostrum as bottle babies. Other than that cost will depend on age, gender, feed costs in your area...etc.

Thank you! Are does usually able to give birth by themselves?

 

[AshleyFishy]

Normally yes.

Now after the birth some mothers need help accepting that is a baby and they need to feed it. Be prepared to bottle feed the kids. Some does just don't want their babies.

 

[randomtree]

I make sure I keep emergency kidding/lambing supplies on hand, just in case, but goats are especially self-sufficient. When I first started, I used the Storey's guide to raising Dairy Goats like a Bible. I highly recommend it.

 

[OneFineAcre]

Some have a genetic pre-disposition for multiples.

Statistically twins are the most common, followed by either a single, or triplets. That is you are just as likely to have 3 as you are to have 1 if that makes sense.

I have two who had 3 their first freshneing and 4 their second.

I've personally never had an issue with a mama not accepting her baby or not knowing what to do.

Nigerians are known for easy kidding, but there is always a chance an animal will need assistance or have problems.

I've also never had an issue with one drying herself off after a few months. We have some that will let their kids nurse when they are a year old if we don't seperate.

We breed every year, but you could keep a doe in milk longer but her output will decrease. There are cases where goats will stay in milk for several years if you keep milking them.

Storey's guide to dairy goats is a good book like Randomtree said. We still refer to it and we've had goats for over 4 years now.

 

[ArtisticFarmer]

I'll look into buying Storey's Guide to Raising Dairy Goats.

 

[OneFineAcre]

If you look at this weeks pic of the week, Firecracker is a little buckling that was one of 4 babies. His mom raised them all.