Ready for mating in goats called estrus or, in the language of goat breeders, hunting. Goats are ready to breed all year round. The hunting period occurs once a month and lasts from one to three days. Farmers plan to breed livestock to increase the amount of meat and maintain milk yield. In this they are helped by knowing the signs of estrus, at what age the goat comes into heat for the first time and how long after lambing.
- How long after lambing does a goat come into heat?
- How to tell if a goat wants a goat
- Timing and signs of heat in young animals
- Features of the manifestation of estrus
- How many days has he been walking?
- Stimulation of heat in goats
- Artificial
- Natural
- Why doesn't it come into heat?
- Physiological reasons
- External factors
How long after lambing does a goat come into heat?
Hunting frequency is every 18-21 days. After childbirth, a new cycle begins on the 15th day. In goat breeding, it is customary to wait 3 months before mating again. The goat's body needs to recover after giving birth. If pregnancies follow one after another, the kids are born weaker each time. Also, with early pregnancy, the likelihood of premature birth of the fetus and problems with the reproductive organs is higher.
Frequent mating is practiced in meat goat breeding, when an increase in the number of individuals depends on an increase in production and profit. When breeding dairy cattle, there is no need to quickly increase the number of livestock. It is more important to preserve milk yield.
Since pregnant females are started without milking for two months, frequent pregnancy is not economically beneficial. Farmers do not release goats until they are sure they are pregnant. One of the signs of absence of pregnancy is hunting.
How to tell if a goat wants a goat
Puberty of goats occurs in the seventh or eighth month of life. But with early mating there is a high risk of fetal loss. Therefore, the optimal age for reproduction is considered to be 1.5 years. Dairy goats that gave birth to their first offspring at 2 years of age produce less milk than those that gave birth at an early age. Therefore, when breeding with milk, it is better not to delay the first mating.
Timing and signs of heat in young animals
Females come into heat for the first time in the fall. Pregnancy lasts 5 months, so the kids are born in March or April. In nature, green grass is supposed to appear at this time. Therefore, the beginning of hunting in October or November is genetically determined.
Whether a young goat is allowed near a male goat is determined by her body composition. Pregnancy and childbirth will be successful if the female weighs more than thirty kilograms. If there is a lack of weight, it is better to postpone mating.Underweight may also mean that the female is not sexually mature.
External and behavioral signs of a goat’s readiness for mating:
- redness and swelling of the loop;
- discharge from the genitals;
- active tail flapping;
- refusal of food.
The fact that the goat is in heat can be understood by its restless behavior, loud bleating, and squatting on its hind legs. The animal becomes aggressive and breaks the doors of pens and sheds.
The female also sniffs, trying to smell the odor of the goat. At the base of the males' horns are glands that secrete attractive pheromones. During the heat period, goats need to be monitored while walking so that they do not jump over the fence and run away in pursuit of an attractive scent.
Features of the manifestation of estrus
Sometimes the female does not show obvious signs of hunting. To determine the mood, they stroke her back with a palm. If the goat wags its tail in response, it means it is ready for mating. More often, goat breeders note the violent behavior of their pets during the hunting period and easily recognize it. Symptoms disappear immediately after mating, and a noticeable contrast in the behavior of the animals. They become calm, don't vomit and eat again.
It is important not to miss the short hunting period. Sometimes breeders introduce a goat too late. If the moment is missed, the female sniffs the goat, but does not allow it to approach her. Experienced goat breeders also note changes in the mood of goats at different times of the day. In the morning the female may not give in, but in the evening it turns out that she is in heat.
How many days has he been walking?
Estrus lasts at least 12-24 hours. The average duration is 48 hours. The hunt can also last for 76 hours. The duration depends on the individual characteristics of the goat’s body. The cycle can be calculated using the calendar. But goat breeders often rely on behavioral signs.
The most pronounced periods of hunting take place from September to February. Since April, the animal instinct subsides. There may be a lull in the summer, but from September the time for covering comes again. The most favorable months are October, November and December.
On goat farms, 15 percent of females can simultaneously express a desire to mate every day. Periods of mass excitement are followed by calm. On large farms with large livestock, the timing of estrus is regulated and stimulated so that goats come into heat at different times.
Stimulation of heat in goats
The desire to mate is induced in females by artificial and natural means.
Artificial
Estrus is stimulated by introducing progesterone preparations into the vagina. The hormone accelerates the maturation and release of eggs.
Progesterone accelerates sexual maturity in animals with delayed development of the reproductive system. A cotton swab is soaked in the drug and placed in the vagina.
Before the procedure, it is important to make sure that the goat is not pregnant. A high level of the hormone in the body will lead to fetal loss.
The following drugs are also used to stimulate hunting:
| Name | Description | Peculiarities |
| "Estrophan" | A synthetic analogue of the prostaglandin cloprostenol, accelerates the resorption of the ovarian corpus luteum. | Within 24 hours after administration of the drug, animals cannot be slaughtered; the quality of the milk does not change. |
| "Enzaprost" | The drug also belongs to synthetic prostaglandins, contains the substance dynaprost, stimulates ovulation, and is indicated for latent estrus. | Before administration, the animal must be checked for gestation, since the active substance promotes abortion of the fetus. |
| "Klatraprostin" | A domestic hormonal prostaglandin drug that is effective along with imported drugs. | Allows you to reduce financial costs for processing animals. |
In order for goats to go into estrus at the same time, a complex of hormones is used:
- progesterone and follimag;
- progestogen and serum gonadotropin (SGG).
On dairy farms, hormonal drugs are used to regulate estrus periods so that goats do not come into heat at the same time. Otherwise, farmers will be left without milk for two months, and a lot of space will be required for newborn goats. The dosage is calculated by the veterinarian individually based on the animal’s body weight and age.
In addition to hormones, the homeopathic remedy “Ovariovit” is used. The injection solution is indicated for ovarian dysfunction and also reduces the frequency of false pregnancies.
Animals are also given vitamin injections. The Tetravit solution contains vitamins A, E, D3 and F. The drug is indicated for stress, after pregnancy, slow growth and weight gain, as well as for reproductive dysfunction.
Natural
A young seven-month-old goat that does not come into heat is taken for a walk with the goat. Animals walk under the supervision of the owner. While walking, the female will smell pheromones. The effect will not come instantly, but over time. A popular way to induce and test readiness to hunt is to rub a rag or hay on the base of the goat's horns and let the goat smell it. Hunting is caused by food. The diet is adjusted a month before the expected estrus, more grains are added - wheat, barley, oats.
Why doesn't it come into heat?
Goats do not show a desire to mate under the influence of physiological and external factors.
Physiological reasons
Hunting does not come due to deviations in the reproductive cycle. As a result, the period does not pass completely.
According to violations, three incomplete cycles are distinguished:
- aestrous - no mucus is secreted;
- alibid - lack of desire;
- anovulatory - no egg is formed.
During the aestrous cycle, the female does not have vaginal discharge, but there are behavioral signs. The alibid cycle begins without displaying heat, although the female is ready for mating. The most difficult thing to recognize is the anovulatory cycle, since if all signs of heat are present after mating, pregnancy does not occur. There are also mixed forms of incomplete cycles. Other physiological reasons for the absence of estrus:
- gestation - the female does not come into heat because she is already pregnant. Until puberty, kids of different sexes are kept together. For some it comes earlier or later. Often the covering occurs due to the farmer's oversight;
- diseases and postpartum complications - entry into heat is delayed due to delayed placenta, endometritis, parasite infection;
- high weight - obesity reduces the ability to conceive and bear kids. In the goat's diet, the proportion of carbohydrates and fats should be reduced, and more foods with fiber should be given - hay and branches. Animals also need to drink more water and move.
Obesity causes a lack of hunting in goats that have not given birth and those that have not been bred for a long time.
External factors
The goat does not come into heat on time for the following reasons:
- lack of lighting - if animals live in a dimly lit barn, they lose their desire to hunt. Additional lamps need to be hung in the room;
- climate - the onset of hunting is hampered by prolonged cloudy weather and constant heat;
- improper nutrition - phosphorus affects the sexual function of goats. With a lack of microelement, their reproductive capacity decreases.
The goat also does not show heat due to delayed puberty. To determine sexual maturity, an experiment is carried out with a goat. The male is brought to the female. If he does not react, it means the goat is not yet ready for mating. The instinct of a goat cannot be deceived, so goat breeders consider this method of testing reliable.
