I know y'all might get tired of hearing from me, but I'm still very new to raising goats! I have about 13 does that came to me bred. This is a fairly easy question for you guys! What should I be feeding these girls that are pregnant? They roam all day and graze in the field and eating leaves off trees. I've bee feeding them goat chow. Should I be putting anything else in it? They also have hay in the barn for night time.
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Thanks Deborah! I actually just posted a question. I went out to spend some time with my girls and one of them has gone from a pooch to an udder. So keeping a closer eye on her!
I also have some pictures in my album of does that are just very pregnant, so you can see how their bellies are very high and round.
And ditto on Rachel said about feeding grain. You didn't say how much you're feeding, so I hope it's not a lot. Unless your does are in very poor physical condition, the calories from the grain will just go to growing bigger babies. They really just need the grain for lactation, so you start giving them a little towards the end of pregnancy just to get them used to it. If they kid without having had any grain, just start them gradually. If you start out giving them a lot of grain one day, they'll probably get diarrhea.
lol It's terrifying being a first time mommy!! I only just had my first kids this last spring. Thankfully, my doe wasn't a first timer, and I live close enough to my breeder, that I was able to be part of some deliveries on her farm.
Ha! I'm scared to death! The lady I got them from had the buck in with them from April until I got them at the end of August! So I really have no idea when anybody is due! I'm keeping an eye out for udders dropping and that's about all I know to do at this point. And I do have minerals free choice and it has selenium in it and copper. Also have baking soda free choice. So I'm sure at some point I will be on here freaking out about all of my does going into labor at the same time in the middle if the night! Lol! Thank you for the feeding advice!
They shouldn't have any grains until the last two weeks of their pregnancy. Too much grain can cause large kids, which turns into birthing issues. The hay and browse will be fine for them until the last bit of pregnancy, and while they're nursing or you're milking. :) Make sure they have good loose mineral with good copper content, and make sure they have good sources of selenium.
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In addition to the udders, you can look for their bellies dropping. Here is a picture of a doe a few hours before she gave birth:
http://nigeriandwarfgoats.ning.com/photo/lizzie-hollow?context=user
I also have some pictures in my album of does that are just very pregnant, so you can see how their bellies are very high and round.
And ditto on Rachel said about feeding grain. You didn't say how much you're feeding, so I hope it's not a lot. Unless your does are in very poor physical condition, the calories from the grain will just go to growing bigger babies. They really just need the grain for lactation, so you start giving them a little towards the end of pregnancy just to get them used to it. If they kid without having had any grain, just start them gradually. If you start out giving them a lot of grain one day, they'll probably get diarrhea.
lol It's terrifying being a first time mommy!! I only just had my first kids this last spring. Thankfully, my doe wasn't a first timer, and I live close enough to my breeder, that I was able to be part of some deliveries on her farm.
and CONGRATS on being an expecting goat momma!!
They shouldn't have any grains until the last two weeks of their pregnancy. Too much grain can cause large kids, which turns into birthing issues. The hay and browse will be fine for them until the last bit of pregnancy, and while they're nursing or you're milking. :) Make sure they have good loose mineral with good copper content, and make sure they have good sources of selenium.