Pregnant Doe - Should I Take Her?

[reneerising]

I am in the Southern Maryland area and looking for a Fainting Goat to purchase. I prefer doeling or buckling.

I responded to an ad and really liked this 2 year old small goat with the colors I wanted. In later talks with owner it was mentioned that doe had been exposed to a male goat in August.

I am only about 6 months into having 5 goats and i really enjoy them. I work full time and so my goats are in stable during the day with hay then let out for pasture when I get home and give some grain.

I am nervous about the pregnant doe because I am unfamiliar with the needs of pregnant mom and a new babe once born. I am not home during day to ensure babe gets milk every three hours if mom rejects.

I really liked how small she was and her coloring but not sure about how to ensure she and babe gets what they need. I do have a separate stall that she and babe could be alone in.

What are your thoughts or concerns and recommendations?

 

[Southern by choice]

If you are not milking then I would not recommend this. Most that by bred does are buying them for family milkers.
Sounds like you have pets.
Being new to goats there are several factors to consider, which some you have already stated.

~Will you be there for kidding? What if there are complications? Are you familiar with what to do? Do you have a vet to call in an emergency? Is she a first timer?
~Are you prepared for the number of kids? What happens if there are more than the dam can feed? etc

I am curious why you stall your goats all day.
Goats need to be out and about, it is not healthy for them to only get out a few hours a day.
This will lead to parasite issues and quite possibly respiratory over time.

 

[reneerising]

My goats are pets.

Do you have to milk a milk breed? At what age?

I do have a local nearby vet for livestock and i would phone in for assistance and ask what needs to be done ahead of time. I actually can change my schedule a bit if necessary to come home midday. And have an teen daughter who can assist.if we had to bottle feed. One of our goats was bottle baby but we got him just before weaning so he did not need to be fed as often.

I am new to this area and the stall was here. Gives great air so it is not fully closed. Those before me kept horses and livestock. I use the stall to keep them safe when i am not home. The current fencing is more for horses. I just went to purchase the redtop fencing for sheep and goat this past weekend and hoping to install this week. Will get i foot posts so no escapees in case i have to do additional fencing than 4 feet. I plan to fence girls in one area and boys in another area.

I dont mind doe having more than one kid. I plan to breed mine later. Letting them have fun for now.

Thanks.

 

[Southern by choice]

No, you don't have to milk.
However you need to be prepared to milk once a goat is in milk.

Before you breed goats please think long term.
Many are getting into the new wave of goats and we are seeing alot of puppy mill breeding. Just with goats.
Learn and read about testing.
Are your goats tested for CAE? Johnes? CL? TB/Brucellosis?

Learn about nutrition.
Learn about parasites both internal and external.
Disbudding, castration, vaccinations are all things to learn about.

What will you do with the kids? How will you separate males from females?

Are your goats fainters or are they actually Nigerian crosses that were sold as fainters?
Knowing what they are is very important as male/female nigerians cannot be housed together full time. Kids are also an issue as bucklings are fertile and can breed at 8 weeks and doeling can cycle by 9wks. I see it all the time where a 7-8 month old goat is heavily pregnant and was sold as a kid by "breeder" that let the buck run with the does. Now the new owner has a baby having babies and it doesn't usually go well. Very sad.

 

[LlamaGirl4]

If you aren’t home all day then you shouldn’t buy a pregnant doe. Kids and milking does are a lot to take care of and need your full attention. Could you ask the owner to wait to sell until the kid or doe is old enough to be sold by itself?

I’m getting 2 lamancha does on Thursday and one is pregnant but I am home all day everyday so we can take care of our over 100 animal farm

 

[OneFineAcre]

If you aren’t home all day then you shouldn’t buy a pregnant doe. Kids and milking does are a lot to take care of and need your full attention. Could you ask the owner to wait to sell until the kid or doe is old enough to be sold by itself?

I’m getting 2 lamancha does on Thursday and one is pregnant but I am home all day everyday so we can take care of our over 100 animal farm

So you are saying that people with jobs shouldn't breed their goats?

 

[LlamaGirl4]

So you are saying that people with jobs shouldn't breed their goats?

Noo of course not! I’m just saying that goats need lots of attention. Family members can help too if you have any close by.

Sorry that sounded a bit harsh

 

[MiniSilkys]

Hi, I know this it too late but I just found the thread. But for future possible purchases, you should never buy and transport a pregnant goat in the last month of pregnancy. The stress of transport and new environment can possibly cause abortion or death of one fetus in case of twins. I know this because when I bought my first doe she was pregnant and due in 30-45 days. She gave birth 35 days later to a doeling that died within 10 minutes and then 30 minutes later to a buckling that had died before fully developed. He was bloated, no fur, and eyes were sealed.