Wednesday, January 29, 2014

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.

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