The appearance of offspring in every household is always a joyful and at the same time troublesome event. Especially if you brought cattle breeding, in particular, goats to a professional level. The health of her offspring and further milk production depend on how the pregnancy goes for a goat.

Signs of a goat's pregnancy

A competent determination of the duration of pregnancy will help you to change the female’s diet in advance and improve the general conditions of her maintenance.

In the early stages

Early pregnancy is virtually undetectable. The surest method is an ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity of a goat. Starting from the 20th day of pregnancy, embryos can be recognized on the monitor screen. Another method of diagnosis is a hormonal blood test in a clinical laboratory. In the process of embryo formation in the goat uterus, her body begins to produce the hormone progesterone.

Did you know? Scientists who studied the behavior of goats in different regions noticed that in each country these animals bleed with different intonation and accent .

Its increased rates indicate the onset of a real pregnancy. However, this analysis is advisable only after 50 days, since earlier progesterone levels may be inaccurate.

Mid term

Starting from the middle of the term (approximately 2.5–3 months of succosis), the definition of pregnancy becomes much simpler. The main sign of future replenishment is an increase in the abdomen, as well as its uneven contours. An experienced farmer can independently feel with his fingers the bulges in the abdominal cavity that the kid creates. It should be noted that the diagnosis of pregnancy by palpation must be entrusted to the veterinarian so as not to harm the fetus.

In late terms

In recent months, it has been difficult to detect it. Changes in the goat's body occur not only inside, but also outside. The perineal skin swells and smoothes, all folds disappear. The pelvic bones become wider and you can notice two soft fossae on the sacrum.

How to determine the pregnancy of a goat at home using folk methods

Experienced goat farmers have long identified for themselves several folk methods that will help to find out whether their pets have become pregnant. We will talk about them in more detail.

Find out what goat hunting is.

For milk

This method of determining the consistency is very easy. You will need a glass with transparent walls and a few drops of fresh goat milk. Using a pipette, add one drop to the water and see how the milk behaves. If it does not spread and sinks to the bottom along a spiral path, then these signs indicate the onset of pregnancy. If a drop simply dissolves in water, then you will not observe replenishment in the offspring in the near future. As the proponents of this diagnosis assure, it is not entirely true with respect to the birthright.

Video: test for consistency

On the stomach

A gradual increase in the abdominal cavity after a couple of months after coating should also give you the idea of ​​possible consistency. As a rule, the stomach of a goat grows evenly down and to both sides. Armed with a phonendoscope, you can recognize the heartbeats of the kids and also feel their kicks inside the womb. Determining pregnancy by an enlarged abdomen is a reliable method, however, first of all, the option of obesity of the animal should be excluded.

In the absence of hunting

After a successful mating with a male, the absence of hunting is considered a reliable sign of pregnancy in a goat. To be sure of this, approximately three weeks after mating, the female is sent for a second “date”. If a new life has already begun within her, then the female will simply ignore all attempts of the male to cover for her.

Rectal method

To check the pregnancy of a goat in this way, you need to lubricate the index finger with petroleum jelly and gently insert it into the goat's vagina. You should feel a slight vibration - the blood flow in a pregnant goat is significantly increased and you can literally “touch” it.

You will also be interested to learn how to breed goats as a business.

How long does a goat pregnancy last?

Pregnancy in goats lasts approximately 150 days. However, experienced farmers noticed that if one kid is expected, then this period is usually a little longer. Two or more babies are born a few days earlier.

How to calculate the term of delivery

For the convenience of calculating the term of upcoming birth, experienced farmers use a pregnancy calendar. This is a special table, which is compiled taking into account the averaged terms of succession - 150 days. You should know exactly the week of mating with the male and, based on these data, you can determine the estimated lambing date.

How is the birth

In the process of lambing, it is important not to disturb the woman in childbirth. Basically, animals cope with childbirth on their own, and you can simply take the post of an outside observer. Even the birthright feels the birth is approaching and their behavior can indicate the moment the babies are born. First of all, the udder swells - it becomes hot to the touch.

Read more about goat lamb.

The vagina also changes - it swells and changes color: it becomes bright pink or red. The behavior of the woman in labor becomes restless - she can anxiously walk around the stall in search of a convenient place, lie on her side and immediately get up. Often, she “calls” the owner for help and needs increased attention.

Video: goat lamb

Training

Not only animals are preparing for the appearance of offspring. Each farmer must take care of creating comfortable conditions in the place where the lambing will take place. First of all, we are talking about cleaning the room, its disinfection and sanitization, as well as the complete replacement of the litter. It is better to fill it with a thick layer on the floor - often a pregnant goat constructs a kind of nest for its future offspring. A couple of days before lambing, the diet of a pregnant goat changes: it becomes less nutritious, mixed feed is replaced with bran and vegetables, and root crops are pre-boiled.

Lambing process

In a young and healthy goat, lambing takes place in 4 stages:

1. First comes a bubble with amniotic fluid.
2. Together with the bladder, a kid gradually comes out - most often its legs with its head appear first, then the rest of the body.
3. If succosis is multiple, then the rest of the kids come out.
4. The final stage is the separation of the afterbirth.

Important! During lambing, the female may suffer from thirst. Stock up in advance with a bucket of clean cool water and often suggest that the goat drink.

Possible complications

If this is your first time participating in obstetric care, then be prepared to face complications that can even occur in a healthy and experienced goat:

1. The delay of the afterbirth. If lambing passed without complications, then separation is considered normal for 1–5 hours. If this process is delayed, then under the supervision of a veterinarian, oxytocin is injected, which causes additional muscle contractions. It is strictly forbidden to independently extend the last - such manipulations can seriously injure the animal.
2. Mastitis. The inflammatory process in the udder of the goat occurs due to delayed milking. Immediately after lambing, it is important to observe the animal: having noticed the seals in the udder, its redness or changes in shape, begin decanting, pre-massage without strong pressing.
   

3. Prolapse of the uterus. This variant of postpartum complications happens in the case of a difficult birth: an incorrect fetus or in the case of three or more kids. First aid to the animal should be provided by a qualified veterinarian, so it is advisable to take care of his call immediately after the onset of labor. If a doctor is not nearby, then you can try to help the animal yourself. First you need to pour warm water on the prolapsed uterus, then use cool water. Alternate temperature: its difference will cause muscle contractions and the uterus will return to its place. If this does not help, then manual reposition of the uterus is used. But this matter can only be entrusted to experienced veterinarians.
4. Infections in the birth canal. Violations of sanitary standards during obstetric care inevitably lead to the multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms in the birth canal of the goat. A sharp increase in body temperature to +41 ° C, fever, vaginal discharge with a pungent odor are the main symptoms of an infection in the body. The decision on treatment should be taken as quickly as possible, since a long lack of medical care can lead to the death of the female.

Did you know? Goats are sensitive animals that are very attached to their master. The lack of affection and attention from him can even cause an animal's disease, as well as lead to a significant reduction in milk yield.

Postpartum

After lambing, both the goat and her cubs equally need increased care. The uterus of the giving birth to the woman must be washed with clean water, special attention should be paid to the udder. Immediately after childbirth, instead of milk, colostrum is released - a high-fat product that is rich in vitamins and minerals. However, you shouldn’t immediately let the kids in to him, his first jets are issued in a separate bowl. This is done so that along with the first portion of colostrum, pathogens that may be in the milk ducts of the female do not get into the body of newborn kids.

Used litter is thrown away. It is important to provide a young goat with good nutrition the first time after lambing. On the first day, cook bran, bathed in warm water. In such a mixture you need to add a teaspoon of salt and bone meal. Servings of food should be small, but pour them into the feeder should be more often. In the summer, it can be a juicy grass, in the cold season - finely chopped root crops, cake and bran. Fresh vegetables are an excellent vitamin supplement at any time of the year.

Important! The final step in postpartum goat care is the separation of the placenta. It is important that the goat eats it.

For the prevention of mastitis, special attention should be paid to the proper milking of the goat in the first days after birth. The first milking should take place in about two hours - not earlier. In the next 3-4 days, milking is carried out before feeding the babies (up to 5 times a day). Gradually, the number of milkings is reduced to three, most often this happens by the second month of life of the kids. Keeping the milk schedule is especially important for dairy breeds. For an experienced breeder, caring for newborn kids will not be difficult. Immediately after lambing, babies are wiped from mucus and other contaminants with a clean and dense cloth. The nose and mouth also need to be cleaned.

After that, the kids are checked for reflexes: standing, searching for the udder of the mother, as well as his sucking. The primary task of each farmer is to feed the goats with colostrum in the shortest possible time after they are born. It was noted that the longer the lap between the lamb and the first application to the udder, the weaker the immune system of the cubs and the higher their mortality in adulthood. If the kid is weak and cannot independently find the udder, it must be carefully placed under the nipple. Another option is to independently drink it with colostrum using a nipple and a bottle or a special feeding device.

Find out how many goats live at home.

False pregnancy

Like other pets, goats are characterized by the appearance of a false pregnancy. This is a hormonal disorder in the work of the reproductive organs, which is characterized by the manifestation of all signs of pregnancy, but without the development of fetuses in the uterus. Spontaneous production of progesterone and prolactin in the body of goats leads to an increase in their abdominal part, an increase in weight, and the udder as if poured in anticipation of milk.

Perhaps even a change in character: the female becomes more affectionate and calmer, and daily walks pass without active movements and habitual jumps. It is easiest to determine a false pregnancy for those farmers who do not have males in the herd: then goats simply have no one to conceive. The easiest way to find out if you expect replenishment is to wait a certain time. If after 145-160 days the goat didn’t bait, then her pregnancy was imaginary.

If you first noticed signs of a false pregnancy in your pet, then the visit of a veterinarian to your farm will help to accurately determine the state of her health. Now you know what changes in the behavior and appearance of the goat may indicate an imminent replenishment. Your attention and care for the female will significantly increase the chances of a successful outcome of obstetric care and the birth of strong offspring.

Video: false goat pregnancy