Requirements For The Pregnant And Lactating Doe

By Deb Haines

The lactating doe has very high nutrient requirements
Does should be fed at a maintenance level when they are dry and during the first two thirds of their pregnancy. As the doe goes through pregnancy her requirements will begin to increase during the last third of her pregnancy. It is critical to provide adequate nutrition to the doe to produce healthy and vigorous kids and to allow her to produce milk to raise those kids.
During lactation, the doe can consume nearly enough nutrients if an abundant supply of high quality pasture is available, such as in spring or early summer. However, does will likely lose some body weight due to the high demands of peak lactation (weeks 3 to 8 of lactation) and an inability to consume an adequate quantity of feed.

During early pregnancy does can be fed to maintain their body condition unless they are thin and need to improve their body condition. Be sure to allow the does access to a free choice mineral mix that has been balanced for goats. This will help to ensure that the does remain healthy throughout their pregnancy. Be careful not to overfeed the does. Most animals produce fat externally over their body, however, goats produce fat internally. This can cause problems in late pregnancy for very fat does. They will not be able to eat enough to meet their energy requirements and can develop pregnancy toxemia or pregnancy disease. The body fat and the growing kids will take up so much room that nannies become too full to eat enough to meet their nutritional needs.

Keep in mind Kidding should take place when there is an adequate supply of high quality pasture. If there is not adequate pasture, supplemental feed will be required. Inadequate nutrition will decrease body condition and reduce milk production and kid weaning weight.

During the last third of pregnancy, the does need to be monitored more closely.
The nutritional requirements during this time increase to provide for the growth of the unborn kids. As the doe approaches the last few weeks of pregnancy, you may want to increase the quality of the hay they are eating to prepare them for lactation

Water is one of the most important nutrients that is needed when raising and feeding any animal. This nutrient is the cheapest and is often the one that is overlooked when evaluating a feeding program. The amount of water needed for pregnant does is less than that needed by lactating does, but it is still crucial.

Key Points…

Early to Mid Gestation

• The highest energy requirement time for a doe
  is late pregnancy
• Watch feed intake carefully with pregnant does
  DON’T let does get too fat
  
• Placental development occurs first 30
  to 90 days of pregnancy
  
• Underdeveloped placentas result in
  low birth weights, regardless of late
  gestation nutrition.
  
• 21 days of severe underfeeding or 80
  days of moderate underfeeding can
  affect placental development.
  
• Do not overfeed or underfeed
  
• Nutrient requirements are only
  slightly above maintenance.
• Late Gestation
• Proper feeding and management during late gestation
  is crucial to a successful kidding season.
  
• During the last 4 to 6 weeks of
  gestation: 70 percent of fetal growth is occurring
  
• The doe’s mammary system is developing.
  
• The doe’s rumen capacity is decreasing
  
• Energy is required in the largest quantity.
  
• Energy is the nutrient most likely to be deficient.
  
• Protein requirements are not significantly higher.
  
• Calcium requirements virtually double during late pregnancy.
  
• Selenium and vitamin E are also critical nutrients during late
  gestation.
  
• Level of nutrition depends upon the size (weight) and age
  of does and the number of fetuses she is carrying.
  
• To meet the energy needs of pregnant does, you usually need to feed some grain.
  
• If forage quality is low, you may also need to supplement
  protein and/or calcium in the diet.
  
• Extra Nutrition is Needed to support fetal growth.
  
• To support mammary tissue development.
  
• To prevent pregnancy toxemia (ketosis) and milk fever.