Basic Facts About Goat

Some basic facts about goat like their reproduction, breeding weight, gestation, estrous cycle knowing when they’re healthy and sick, and some other facts about their welfare.

Reproductive Aspects

FemaleAge of puberty7 – 10 monthsBreeding weight60 – 75% of adult weightEstrous cycleLengthDurationSigns18 – 22 days12 – 36 hoursTail wagging, mounting, bleatingOvulation12 – 36 hours from onset of standing heatGestation length146 – 155 daysBreeding seasonAugust – JanuarySeasonal anestrousFebruary – JulyBuck effect on estrousPositiveMaleAge of puberty4 – 8 monthsBreeding age8 – 10 monthsBreeding seasonAll yearBreeding ratio1 buck : 20 to 30 does

Physiological Data

Temperature101.7 – 104.5°FHeart rate70 – 80 beats/minuteRespiration rate12 – 15/minuteRuminal movements1 – 1.5/minute

Rules for Goat Health

• Provide proper housing
• Practice good sanitation
• Provide adequate nutrition
• Provide clean water
• Observe how much feed (hay, minerals, concentrate) is left over
• Observe your animals daily
• Observe the feces of your animals
• Clean pastures and exercise lots
• Become familiar with the common diseases
• Investigate the source of strange smells
• Use your veterinarian for diagnosis

A Healthy Goat

• Eats well
• Chews its cud
• Has a shiny coat
• Has strong legs and feet
• Is sociable
• Has bright and clear eyes

Signs of Illness

• Off feed, off water
• No sign of cud chewing
• Standing apart from group
• Rough hair coat
• Abnormal temperature
• Heavy mucous in nose and mouth
• Diarrhea
• Runny eyes
• Limping
• Hair falling out
• Swelling on any part of body
• Pale mucosa of eyes and mouth

In the meantime, don’t forget to click here to order for wholesome, traceable meat from a fit-for slaughter livestock.

If you made it to the end of this article, don’t forget to check out our other post on “7 Keys to Successful Livestock Farming” here.