Hello friends, it’s me, Whinny the clinic mouse! I’ve been scampering around the barn and noticed the goats starting to act a little extra frisky. That’s because we’re heading into breeding season! Since it’s nearing the end of the year, we’re basically at the starting line for most goat herds. Let’s talk about what’s going on inside those fuzzy little bodies and what you can do to help.

The Hormone Story: How Goats Know When to Make Babies

Goats, like their sheep cousins, are what we call “short-day breeders.” That means they like to fall in love when the days get shorter, usually September through February. Their brains are clever little clocks, using a hormone called melatonin (yes, the same stuff that helps people sleep) to figure out when the nights are long enough to start cycling. When melatonin is high, it triggers a chain reaction in the brain: the hypothalamus releases GnRH, which tells the pituitary gland to make hormones called FSH and LH. That sounds like alphabet soup but really just means “grow some eggs” and “release that egg!”

In the doe, FSH helps the eggs mature inside the ovaries, while another hormone, estrogen, from the growing follicles tells the body, “I’m ready!” Once estrogen hits a certain level, LH surges, triggering ovulation—the release of the egg. After ovulation, the corpus luteum (CL) forms at the site of the egg and secretes progesterone, the “pregnancy hormone,” which gets the uterus ready to support a growing baby. If no fertilization occurs, the CL dissolves, progesterone drops, and the cycle starts again.

The bucks have their own hormone story. Their testes are busy little factories making sperm and testosterone. Sperm production takes about 47 days to mature, and like the ladies, males are more fertile in the fall when days shorten.

The Buck Effect: Nature’s Fertility Alarm

If females have been separated from the bucks for a few weeks, suddenly introducing a buck can trigger a hormone surge that makes some of the does come into heat around the same time. Scientists think this happens because pheromones from the male tell the females’ bodies, “Hey, it’s time to ovulate!” This works best during the breeding season and is less reliable in the off-season, but it’s a handy, chemical-free trick to help synchronize your herd. It’s also practical; bucks should only be with does for a set breeding season, so that pregnancies can be planned and monitored.

Herd Nutrition: Feeding for Fertility

Just like people, goats need the right fuel to do their best. Nutrition directly impacts reproduction—for both the does and the bucks. Bucks should be in a body condition score (BCS) of 3–3.5, and does should be around 2.5–3.5 at breeding. Healthy, well-fed goats are more likely to conceive, carry, and deliver strong kids.

Pregnant does don’t need a ton of extra feed at first—just a little above maintenance to support placental development. But over 60% of the baby’s growth happens in the last 4–6 weeks of pregnancy, and this is also when the udder develops. Underfeeding can cause pregnancy toxemia, abortions, small kids, or poor-quality colostrum. Overfeeding can also lead to problems like dystocia or toxemia.

Some does, especially smaller or younger ones, might need separate feeding to make sure they get enough. And feeding on the ground is a no-no, because it can spread infections that cause abortions. Minerals are important too, especially calcium, which peaks during late gestation and lactation, particularly in does carrying twins or triplets. Be sure to schedule a Herd Evaluation with Dr. Speziok if you have questions about dietary management for specific purposes.

Periparturient Rise in Parasites: Watch Those Worms!

Around kidding, does naturally lose a little of their immunity to internal parasites, which means their feces can suddenly be full of worm eggs. These eggs can infect newborn kids, who have nearly zero defenses against parasites. This is called the periparturient rise.

The good news? You can get ahead of it with selective deworming using FAMACHA scores and a Five Point Check 2–4 weeks before kidding. Good nutrition, especially adequate protein, also helps moms fight off parasites—research shows does fed higher protein before kidding have fewer eggs in their feces.

Vaccination: Protecting Moms and Kids

Vaccines are a superpower for preventing some nasty diseases! All does should be vaccinated 2–4 weeks before kidding against Clostridium perfringens types C and D (over-eating disease/pulpy kidney) and tetanus. This allows them to pass protective antibodies to kids through colostrum—but only if the kids nurse in the first 24 hours. After that, the antibodies can’t be absorbed. Kids will need their own vaccines around 6 weeks old, with a booster 2–4 weeks later.

Other diseases that can cause abortions, like chlamydia, toxoplasmosis, brucellosis, and listeriosis, require careful management. Toxoplasmosis can be prevented by feeding a coccidiostat 6 weeks before kidding. And a very important safety tip: pregnant people should never handle aborted materials, because some of these germs can cause serious illness in humans.

Whinny’s Take-Home Tips: Baby Season Prep

• Check body condition: Bucks 3–3.5/5; does 2.5–3.5/5 at breeding. Adjust feed as needed.
• Feed for late gestation: Higher quality feed, separate feeding for smaller does, and pay attention to calcium.
• Monitor parasites: FAMACHA & Five Point Check 2–4 weeks before kidding. Protein helps immunity.
• Vaccinate on time: 2–4 weeks before kidding for Clostridium and tetanus. Ensure kids nurse colostrum in first 24 hours.
• Prevent abortion risks: Follow biosecurity measures for abortive diseases and consider veterinary guidance for antibiotic or coccidiostat use.

Bonus: Breeding with a Brain

Okay friends, before you get too carried away with all the baby goat excitement, here’s a little mouse-sized nugget of wisdom: breeding should always be intentional! Every pairing should have a purpose, like improving your herd’s health, temperament, or production traits. Random “love matches” might be cute, but they don’t make for a strong herd in the long run.

Good breeders also plan for every baby before it’s even born. That means knowing whether you’ll keep the kid, or if it’s going to a new home, making sure you can take it back if things don’t work out. Babies are adorable, but they’re also a big responsibility!

And here’s a must-follow rule: no inbreeding. Keep daughters separate from their sire, and don’t allow siblings to breed. Inbreeding can cause all sorts of health problems and weaken genetics in your herd over time. Careful record-keeping, separate housing for bucks and related females, and a thoughtful breeding plan keep your herd strong, healthy, and thriving for years to come.

Remember, folks: babies are fun, but smart planning keeps the fun going without hurting your herd.

Squeakily Yours,

~Whinny