MSU Extension Sheep & Goats

Nutrition is important during all phases of production in all classes of livestock and is particularly important during the breeding season and the resulting pregnancy. Goats need a balanced diet to be healthy and productive, and water is a crucial nutrient that is often overlooked. During the winter months, it is important to maintain a supply of fresh water that is not frozen for the animals. This article will describe the nutritional needs of gestating and lactating goats and some common metabolic diseases in gestating females.

Nutrition and vaccinations during gestation

The average gestation period for goats is 150 days. During the first two-thirds of gestation, there is little fetal development, and the nutritional requirements for the doe change very little from what the animal requires during the dry period and breeding. Lactating dairy does have a higher nutritional requirement than dry and non-pregnant meat goats. The energy requirements of these animals can often be met with medium-quality hay and a minimal amount of grain.

During the last 50 days of pregnancy, the fetus or fetuses begin to grow and can limit the amount of forage a pregnant doe can eat. At this time a concentrate feed should slowly be added to the diet.  This transition should be done slowly to help prevent an overeating disease that an abrupt diet change can cause. At this time, does should also be given a clostridium perfringes types C & D-tetanus toxoid (CD-T) booster vaccine so that they can pass adequate antibodies for overeating disease to their offspring through colostrum. Two weeks before kidding is a good time to begin transitioning dry does to the feed they will be given during lactation. This is especially true for dairy animals that will be entering a new lactation. Moving animals to a diet higher in protein and calcium can help to prevent metabolic issues such as pregnancy toxemia, milk fever and ketosis. It is essential for the doe to have adequate milk production to support her offspring.

Common metabolic diseases in gestating does

Pregnancy toxemia and ketosis can occur when an animal’s energy requirement is not met and the doe must use her fat reserves to meet her energy needs. Pregnancy toxemia and ketosis are caused by ketones being released into the bloodstream; a large concentration of ketones can be toxic. This condition can occur in both under and over-conditioned animals. Pregnancy toxemia occurs before kidding and ketosis occurs after kidding. Maintaining a body condition score of around 3 can help to prevent these conditions. It is important to detect these conditions early and begin preventative treatments such as dosing with propylene glycol immediately. 

Milk fever occurs when animals begin a lactation and they need to supply a large amount of calcium to make milk. The doe will often have adequate calcium reserves in her bones if she has been fed a diet high in calcium during the dry period, however, her body may have a difficult time mobilizing these reserves. Milk fever is caused by low levels of calcium in the blood and can be a life-threatening condition. To prevent milk fever, producers should feed lower calcium feeds and forages during late gestation. Grass hay should be fed because of its lower calcium levels. Feeding alfalfa hay can cause the animal to ingest too much calcium. Feeding lower levels of calcium allows the goat’s body to utilize the calcium more efficiently.

Michigan State University Extension recommends using care when feeding the gestation doe to help prevent metabolic disorders around the time of kidding. Feeding the gestating doe can be broken down into two parts and by feeding appropriately during each of those, the goat will have a much better chance of delivering and raising healthy kids.