Signs a Goat Is Pregnant

It is not always easy to tell if a goat is pregnant. There are specific signs of pregnancy; however, many signs can be false. When breeding goats, it is best not to keep females with males all the time. Instead, use good timing and medical technology to determine if conception has occurred. It is not easy to tell a doe is pregnant just by looking at her.

  1. Ultrasound

    • According to Ivan L. Lindahl, a doe that is at one to 104 days before kidding should have a successful ultrasound. Wash the area in front of the doe's udder with warm water, apply the gel, and strap the device to the doe to determine the presence or absence of a fetal heartbeat.

    Heat

    • A doe may be pregnant if she does not go into heat after she has been bred. This is not a sure way to tell, however. Take into consideration that she will not likely go into heat at all from January to about August, so heat is not a good indicator throughout the year. An ultrasound will yield more definitive results.

    Showing

    • A distended abdomen is a good indicator of pregnancy. However, if a goat is healthy, she will be naturally wide. Some does do not show at all, while others may show at any time during the month prior to kidding.

    The Udder

    • If this is the first time a doe has been bred, her udder may develop about four to six weeks before kidding. This is not always the case, however. For many does, the udder may develop less than a week before kidding.

      The udders of does that have already had kids may fill with milk a week prior to kidding, or the udders may not fill until the goat gives birth.

    Blood Tests

    • A month after the doe has been bred, she can be given a blood test to determine pregnancy, making this the easiest way to tell for sure if conception occurred. It is important to know exactly when the goat was bred in order to obtain reliable results.