How to Prepare Your Goats for a Successful Breeding Season

Breeding season is around the corner, and if you’re a livestock farmer or homesteader, it’s time to get your goats ready. I’ve been breeding my goats for the past five years, and I feel confident sharing with you ways to prepare your goats for breeding season.

Maybe you are thinking about getting a buck to breed with your does and don’t know where to start. The short answer is it’s a great idea, and if you can have a separate pen, it’s not much more work than you are probably used to.

Waiting for those adorable goat kids is the highlight of my winter blues! It does give you something to look forward to when you are waiting for spring.

Whether you have your bucks and does to breed, or you will be taking your does to a buck, these tips will help you have a successful kidding season.

How Long is a Goat Pregnant?

A goat’s pregnancy lasts approximately 150 days, or about five months.

If you have a miniature goat breed like Nigerian Dwarfs, like we do, it takes 145 days. I always use this Goat Gestation Calculator when I know my breeding date.

In my experience, they are usually right on the date or one to two days off. That’s as long as you catch the date the does were bred.

Do yourself a huge favor and write down the day you put your doe with the buck. It’s helpful if you can see the act taking place, BUT at least knowing a time frame is crucial for an expected kidding date.

I have to use my livestock planner to keep things straight.

If you have goats for the first time and aren’t sure when they are in heat, there are a few signs to look for. Most of the time, I’ll see my does acting like a buck and bothering the other goats. They are also a lot whinier at this time.

How to Prepare Your Goats for Breeding Season

Getting your goats ready for breeding involves several key steps. Each one is crucial to ensure the health of both your does (female goats) and bucks (male goats). Let’s break down what you need to do.

1. Clean Pens and Shelters

Remove old bedding, feces, and any debris that may have accumulated. The easiest tool for me to use in the goat pen is a Durapitch.

We breed our goats in the fall, which is when we prepare our barn for winter. That preparation also helps us prepare for breeding and kidding season. Our chicken coop is in the corner of our barn, so that gets included in our fall/winter prep cleanout.

Once the pens are cleaned, consider laying down fresh straw or wood shavings. In the warm months, I keep shavings in the pens, and in the winter, I use straw. Writing down the breeding dates helps prepare your pens for the kidding season. From now until then, you’ll clean those pens a few more times.

2.Trim Hooves

I like to trim the goats’ hooves before breeding. It’s not fun to bring them up on the goat stand when they are pregnant. It’s pretty easy when you have the right shears. I use these from Tractor Supply.

I usually only trim the buck’s nails once or twice a year, while I do the girls more often every couple of months.

3. Incorporating Rotational Grazing

Rotational grazing is a great way to keep your pasture healthy and your goats well-fed. It involves moving your goats to different sections of pasture regularly, allowing each area time to recover and regrow. This practice helps maintain the nutritional quality of the forage and reduces the risk of parasites.

Plus, goats are so picky and always want the grass on the other side of the fence. We don’t have huge pen space; right now, I only have four does in with my two sheep. I like to rotate them between two pens during the warmer months, which end up being April-October.

Even if you have a small area for the goats, you can set up temporary fencing to create multiple grazing areas. Move your goats to a new section every few days. This keeps the pasture in good condition and ensures your goats are getting plenty of fresh, nutritious forage.

If you have a larger space you can keep them in the pens longer. Right now I rotated every week or two.

4. Give Fresh Water Daily

Water is essential for your goats’ health, especially during breeding season. Ensure they have access to fresh, clean water at all times. Dehydration can lead to a host of health issues, including decreased fertility.

I used five-gallon buckets for our goat waterers. We got some nice green ones from our county fair last year, all for free. I switched to these instead of the five-gallon buckets because we have sheep with the goats now, too. We also use a kiddie pool in the warmer months that stays filled up for any younger goats who cannot reach that five-gallon bucket.

A frugal tip is that we cut five-gallon buckets down for feed bowls, too. Since my husband works in construction, he ends up with quite a few buckets.

5.Offer Minerals

Goats need a balanced diet that includes essential minerals. Providing a mineral supplement can help boost fertility and overall health. Look for a mineral mix formulated explicitly for goats; their nutritional needs are unique.

I prefer the Dumor, loose minerals for goats, BUT now that we have a couple of ewes with our goats, they have a mineral block.

Place mineral blocks or loose minerals where all goats can easily access them. The proper minerals can improve reproductive health, making your does more likely to conceive and your bucks more fertile.

6. Goat Breeding Pen

A designated breeding pen is crucial for controlled breeding. This pen should be separate from the rest of the herd and provide a safe, comfortable space for mating. It allows you to monitor the breeding process closely and ensure that only the chosen pairings occur.

It is also lovely if you have a buck and want to offer stud services (breeding) to other does. You can typically charge anywhere from $20-$100. If you have a registered goat, you can charge more. You will want to have your herd tested to be sure you don’t have any spreadable diseases and that the goat you are bringing to your farm is also from a clean-tested herd.

I usually post any goat services or goat kids in the local Facebook livestock groups. Try searching for goats in Ohio or any state/city you are in.

Our local vet visited the farm and tested all the animals so that I could sell my kids from a clean, tested farm. It was worth the peace of mind and helps selling livestock from your farm. Depending on how many goats you have, you can usually make this money back after one kidding season.

Set up the breeding pen with shelter, fresh bedding, and access to water and minerals. Introducing the buck to the doe in this controlled environment increases the chances of successful mating and prevents injuries.

This will also give you a sure way to tell if your doe is in heat. When they are constantly trying to get away, they are most likely not in heat. You know you caught them in the right cycle when they stand and let the buck mount them.

This year, because I’m breeding all my does with the same buck, they are all going into the larger buck pen for a few weeks.

In previous years, I had half the goats with one buck and a couple of doe goats with another buck. At that point, I kept them in a smaller pen for breeding.

It really depends on your space and your time. If you have any questions or want advice on which route to take, leave a comment below.

7. Goat Breeding Record

Keeping detailed breeding records is essential for herd management. I said this before, but it’s so important, and if you’re like me and think you’ll remember, you won’t! Document the breeding dates, the pairs involved, and any observations about behavior or health. These records help you track reproductive performance and make informed decisions for future breeding seasons.

Using a planner like the Ultimate Homestead Livestock Management Planner can simplify record-keeping. It provides spaces to log breeding dates, health checks, and more, ensuring you have all the information you need at your fingertips.

8. Goat Health

Healthy goats are more likely to have successful pregnancies and healthy kids. Regular health checks are vital in the lead-up to breeding season. Look for signs of illness or injury and address any issues promptly.

Vaccinate your goats according to your veterinarian’s recommendations, and deworm them as needed. A healthy immune system is critical during the breeding season, so ensure your goats are in top condition.

The only vaccine I give the goats is the CD&T. We worm when necessary.

9. Check Bucks’ Weight/Health

You’ll know when the bucks are in their rut, because they will be dripping wet with urine! The screaming like a banchie, I think that should be screaming like a buck. They make the weirdest noises. Now, I don’t know if they are still like this every fall without a female around; we’ve always had bucks when we’ve had does. They yell, they scream, they snort.

If you haven’t witnessed bucks a full breeding season, oh, it’s something. The smell alone can be enough to have you question why you are doing this.

But then you’ll see these little sweeties, and you’ll know the smell for a few weeks is well worth it. I have two bucks right now, and our older buck is definitely a lot stinker. He’s just got more experience at this point. My younger buck is almost two years old and he’s proven from last season, but his beard isn’t constantly dripping. I know gross right?

Bucks play a crucial role in breeding, and their health directly impacts fertility. Ensure your bucks are at a healthy weight and in good physical condition before the breeding season starts. Underweight or overweight bucks may have reduced fertility.

I tend to focus more on the girls, but I’ve also kept a closer eye on my bucks in the last year. Sometimes, when they are in their rut, the bucks won’t eat as much. They are on high alert for the ladies. I typically give the bucks grain daily during the rut and before breeding.

Provide a balanced diet, including high-quality forage and supplements if needed. Regularly check for signs of illness or injury, and consult your veterinarian if you have any concerns about your bucks’ health.

Your bucks will look a little skinny after breeding season, and this is all the more reason to give them a little extra feeding.

10. Nutrition is Key

Proper nutrition is the foundation of a successful breeding season. Ensure your goats receive a balanced diet that meets their nutritional needs. High-quality forage, grains, and supplements can help maintain optimal health and fertility.

I tend to cut down a lot of trees, shrubs, etc. at the end of summer and early fall to boost them up before breeding. I prefer to breed our goats in October. I’ve done it a couple of times in early September, and that extra month makes a difference. I like to kid when it’s not negative temperatures and prefer above 30 if possible.

That’s why I breed the girls later, and then the kids are born in spring just when the pastures start to grow again.

11. Managing Stress

Stress can negatively impact fertility and overall health. Minimize stress by maintaining a consistent routine, providing a comfortable living environment, and handling your goats gently. Avoid overhandling and unnecessary disturbances, especially during breeding.

If introducing new goats to the herd, do so gradually to reduce stress and allow time for adjustment.

12. Monitor Behavior

During the goat breeding season, closely monitor your goats’ behavior. Look for signs of heat in does, such as restlessness, vocalization, and tail wagging. Some will mount, and others does too. Anytime you see a doe acting like a buck, she’s in heat.

Bucks may show increased interest in does and exhibit behaviors like mounting.

Observing these behaviors helps you identify the optimal time for breeding and increases the chances of successful conception. Keep detailed notes on behavior to track patterns and improve future breeding efforts in your livestock binder.

13. Post-Breeding Care

Once breeding is successful, continue to provide excellent care to your pregnant does. Monitor their health closely, provide proper nutrition, and maintain a clean living environment. Regular health checks and vaccinations are essential to ensure a healthy pregnancy and successful kidding.

Prepare for the arrival of kids by setting up a comfortable birthing area with clean bedding and easy access to water and minerals. Being prepared helps ensure a smooth birthing process and healthy, thriving kids.

Preparing your goats for breeding season is a comprehensive process that requires attention to detail and a commitment to their health and well-being. By following these steps, you can ensure a successful breeding season, healthy pregnancies, and thriving kids.

Consider using the Ultimate Homestead Livestock Management Planner for more detailed record-keeping and to stay organized throughout the breeding season and beyond. This 29-page planner is designed to help you track everything from breeding dates to health checks, making your homesteading experience more manageable and enjoyable.

Ready to take your goat breeding to the next level? Grab your Livestock Planner here and prepare for a successful breeding season today!