Signs of Pregnancy in Pygmy Goats

The pygmy goat, originally from Africa, weighs between 25 and 55 pounds and stands 16 to 20 inches at the withers. Kept primarily as pets, pygmy goats have a lifespan similar to dogs, of 12 to 15 years. Males should be neutered if kept for pets, because intact males smell and may be aggressive. Neutered males are referred to as wethers. Wait until the female, or doe, is at least 15 months old before breeding. Multiple births are common in pygmy goats. Good animal husbandry includes observing animal behavior carefully to watch for signs of illness or pregnancy.

  1. Failure to Come Back into Heat

    • If the doe has been exposed to a male, watch for signs of heat. If she does not come back into heat, odds are good that she is pregnant. Does may reabsorb fetuses early in the pregnancy, so a female could come back into heat six weeks after breeding. On average, the female's estrous cycle is every 18 to 23 days. Gestation is between 145 and 153 days.

    Weight Gain

    • Some does gain weight rapidly and alter their shape after breeding. Weigh the goat regularly and keep records to help ascertain pregnancy. Before breeding, measure the doe around the barrel and girth. If the numbers increase after two months, pregnancy is likely. Due to hormonal fluctuations, some does undergo personality changes when pregnant, with shy goats becoming friendly, and friendly goats less desirous of company.

    Palpation/Urine Testing

    • Veterinarians may palpate a goat within a few weeks after breeding to check for pregnancy. Owners who regularly breed their goats can learn to do this, but it is best to ask the vet for instruction. At 3 1/2 months of gestation, the fetuses can more easily be palpated by pressing upward on the belly in front of the udder. To be certain of pregnancy, purchase a urine test kit, which reveals the amount of estrogen the doe is eliminating. These kits are reputedly 100 percent accurate.