question for the goat folks

[wallabi]

at what point (and how, if anything besides a markedly larger belly) can you tell if a goat has bred successfully?

we just got a new girl who had been running with a mixed herd, so the previous owner thinks she is probably pregnant, but there are no dates or anything.

any good ways to tell?
thanks!

[1jooj]

My dh palpates them sometime between 2 and 3 months and can tell. I've been able to tell earlier by a "look" on their faces, but that's with goats I know really well. Like looking a good friend in the face and just knowing, you know?

I suppose no buck is around to expose her to? You could do that and check for a reaction...

[FarmerCathy]

If you are behind the goat her right side down underneath will be a little firmer than her other side. That's where you will feel her uterus expand. And if she is far enough along if you push in a little on the low right side you might get kicked.

[FarmerCathy]

Oh and the milk vein, look for that too, right in front of the udder.

[wallabi]

thanks! I can`t decide if it is my imagination or not, but I think the right side coud be feeling a little more firm than the left. yippee - few things are more fun than goat babies!
i love the idea of being able to just know - maybe next time

[FarmerCathy]

I'm excited too! We're having goat babies in October.