signs of a goat in heat
If you have dairy goats, breeding is a project you will do each fall, as this will ensure you have a steady milk supply. It is important to know the signs of a goat in heat for successful breeding. This will help you plan your bucks’ visits more accurately, giving you a higher kid rate in the spring.
Having a goat breeding and goat kidding plan will help you approach this busy time in a more relaxed way. This begins with knowing these signs from the start so you will have a more successful season this year.
If you’re new to raising dairy goats, it can be tricky to recognize when your doe is ready for breeding. Knowing the signs of a goat in heat will help you to feel better prepared removing some of the stress this time of year can bring.
My first breeding season was a bit chaotic, so my goal today is to give you some signs to watch for. Use them to help you navigate your way through breeding season.
The good news is your goats will communicate things with you by showing signs from early to late. Knowing what to watch for will help you establish a successful breeding routine in your herd.
What is a breeding routine?
A breeding routine is more or less a plan. I have found that having a plan helps not only me to relax but also my herd. Goats can feel your emotions, and a stressed owner will lead to stressed goats, and a stressed herd is harder to breed successfully.
What is Estrus in a goat?
Estrus is the period of time when a doe will be fertile and ready to breed. During this cycle, her hormones are very active, and she may display certain physical signs. This is the optimal time for breeding that will give you a higher “take” rate.
Take means a goat was bred successfully.
How often is a doe in heat?
A doe goes into heat every 21 days. Her actual reproductive cycle is only 12-36 hours, yes, hours. This is why it is important to know when your goats are in heat so you can have a greater chance of success when breeding.
Signs of a Goat in Heat:
These signs may seem subtle, but as you witness them with your own goats, they will become more obvious to you. I suggest looking online for videos of each sign to better understand what you are watching for.
For each sign listed, I will also give my own experience just to give you a better idea of how things look in real life.
#1. Increased activity and restlessness
During estrus, goats will often become more active and restless. They may pace continuously inside the shelter, walk the fence line, or even try to jump to escape their enclosure.
My Experience:
This is not a sign that often happens with my goats because my goats tend to be active all the time, but this sign might be more evident in a less active breed than Nubians.
#2. Flagging
When in heat, a doe will wag her tail like a dog would to help release her scent into the air for any bucks that are nearby. This tail wagging is known as flagging.
My Experience:
My goats all show this sign when they are in heat. Usually, I see them standing near the fence, wagging their tails up against it. They also continually wag their tails low by their back end, which is something they do not normally do.
#3. Abnormal standing posture
During heat, the doe’s tail may lift almost to the point of arching to her back. She will also stand for extended periods of time with her hind legs spread apart in an inviting manner.
My Experience:
This is another sign my goats often show. It is almost as if they are posing for any bucks that might be near by.
#4. Bleating
Does may bleat more frequently during estrus, and their voices may sound deeper than normal. Even goats that tend to be quiet most of the time will be vocal during heat.
My Experience:
I raise Nubians that are vocal all the time, so this sign is not something I like to rely on.
#5. Swollen vulva
The doe’s vulva will swell during estrus, indicating that she is ready to breed.
My Experience:
A swollen back end is a sign that is more obvious in older does that have been bred before.
#6. Sticky tail
You may also see discharge which can make the does tail look wet and feel sticky.
My Experience:
My Nubians all show this sign, but it can be tricky to catch. I often will see a long string of discharge hanging from their back end. If I miss that then a damp, wet, or sticky tail is usually what I end up noticing.
#7. Aggressive behavior towards other does
A doe in estrus may become aggressive towards other does, pushing them away or trying to mount them, this is known as acting “bucky”.
My Experience:
Usually, my first time does are the ones acting strange, trying mount other does in the herd.
#8. Frequent urination
Does will urinate more often. Since there are pheromones in her urine, it will call in any bucks alerting them to her readiness to breed.
My Experience:
This is not a sign I notice much with our goats.
#9. She will stand for the buck
A doe that is in heat will usually stand still for a buck, allowing him to mount and breed her. This is a more obvious sign that she is ready to be bred.
My Experience:
This is my go to sign over all. If I think my doe is in heat, I will put her in with my buck.
- If she runs away – she is not ready to be bred yet. I will usually give it a few minutes, and if she continues to run away I will remove her and try again later. ,
- If she slowly walks away but does not run – she is very close but not quite there yet. I will usually watch both her and our buck to be sure no one is getting aggressive or tired out.
- If she stands still – she is in estrus and ready to be bred and I can leave her in with the buck for a few days or the full breeding season.
How to breed a goat
Believe it or not, the actual breeding is easy once you get the timing down. All you need to do is put a doe that is in heat in with a buck that is in rut and let nature take it’s course.
We like to pen breed our goats as I find this is less stressful on them and me.
More Breeding Guides:
What happens when a doe is bred?
Once a doe is bred, the buck will leave her alone because her heat cycles will stop. He is only interested in goats that are in heat and will not try to mount or even bother with a doe that is bred.
How long is a goat’s gestation?
A goat’s gestation, the time she is pregnant, is anywhere from 145 to 155 days, with the average being 150. To have a better idea of when kids are due, you will want to watch the breeding and mark down the dates each time your goat and buck connect and the breeding takes.
What should I do if my goat is not in heat?
If you find that your goat isn’t in heat, it could be due to several factors. Stress, age, health issues or even the time of year can all play a role in whether a doe goes into estrus. If your doe doesn’t seem to be in heat, it may be worth consulting with a vet or breeder for advice on how to encourage her reproductive cycle.
Knowing the signs of a doe in heat and understanding her reproductive cycle is an important part of a successful breeding routine.
Timing is everything with livestock. The more you know the better you will be with your timing allowing you to pinpoint kidding dates within a week’s time.
With a bit of practice and patience, you’ll soon be able to recognize the signs of a goat in heat and have more success when breeding.
