Girls - fat or perfect and any signs of baby bumps?

[Judy Asarkof]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/asarkofphotos/sets/72157640654182644/

First 3 pics - are Kiki - my all black with white top knot queen - due April 14

Next 2 are Forsythia - crème - - due April 28

Next 3 are Ali - a light red (full sister to Forsythia) - due April 20

Next 3 are Kaia - she is NOT pregnant - just went through heat 3 days ago - she is looking perfect weight wise - she feels perfect but I like my goats svelte.

Last pic is Fern - my 10 month old doe - NOT pregnant - she has the baby roundness, extra puffy hair so you can't see anything except a ball of goat. But I included this in case anyone can point out stuff to me for learning.

I will go and review what is in the Natural Goat Care book - can't wait but want your eyeball review please!!! 

All these pics taken this morning before anyone gorged on leaves, hay and pine needles and a little chaffhaye.  You'd think they were all fat goats if you had pictures from tonight!!!!

Ali and Forsythia are big boned girls - put on weight quickly, have longish guard hairs and less undercoat. Piggy and pushy.

Kiki is a finer goat, more "dairy" according to a show person who assessed her ... shorter shiney guard hairs, LOTS of undercoat in winter. Elegant and graceful when not being boss. So sweet.  My favorite goat!

Kaia is Kiki's full sister - she has been less thrifty and I chose not to breed her. She is looking the best she has ever looked as I've been doing a bit of extra work on her. In my "natural focus" - there is no reason to have her breed and create more goats that need "extra attention", although like her sister - she has a wonderful temperament. I want goats that can thrive on basics.

Fern is just a baby - will be assessed over the summer but I have hopes for her. Easy keeper, nice temperament, from show lines that have good dairy - bit piggy.

Thanks for any pointers.   I feel certain they have the potential to be pregnant as they never came back into heat after first breedings and they live within 20 feet of the buck so heats are loud and clear!

Judy

[Deborah Niemann-Boehle]

As long as you're not feeding them grain, they should be fine. It's hard to tell if a goat is overweight without putting your hands on them, especially when they have these winter coats!

[Judy Asarkof]

Thanks Deborah -

Does anyone look fat to you. Am I keeping them in shape that is OK for pregnant girls. That is my only concern - not really that they are pregnant. Planning on small babes as these are three first time moms.

I know no one is overly thin but it is the fats that I seek to avoid.

Judy

[Deborah Niemann-Boehle]

I looked at the pics before reading your descriptions, and the first three look pregnant, but the last two do not, which matches what you said about breeding and heats. And 3 months pregnant sounds about right for how they look.

Good luck!