Normal Goat Health Information

Just a quick note for normal goat health:

Temperature = 102.5 - 104 - This varies depending on the temperature of the goat's surroundings. 

Pulse rate = 70 - 80 beats per minute

Respiration =15 to 30 per minute

Rumen (stomach) movements = 1 - 1.5 per minute

Puberty = 7 weeks - 8 months (separate bucks from does at 2 months)

Estrus/Heat Cycle = 17 to 23 days

Gestation = 143 to 155 days

Life span:

• Does = 11-12 years average age, but... usually the death in does is kidding related.  Does that are "retired" from breeding around age 10 live longer: 16-18 years (and I just recently found a doe who was 24; she was retired from kidding at age 10).
• Wethers = 11-16 years average age
• Bucks = 8-10 average age - bucks usually live shorter lives than does and wethers due to the stress of going into rut each year.

Full growth size: Most goats do not reach their full size until they are about three years of age.