Can a goat go over the gestation period and by how much: timing and what to do

Beginning farmers often ask the question: can a goat overstay pregnancy and, if so, by how much? Indeed, this situation happens periodically and poses a danger to the life of the female. To avoid such problems, it is important to know what factors lead to their occurrence. If the pregnancy of a goat still exceeds the allowable time, it is necessary to provide timely assistance.

What affects the timing of gestation

On average, a goat's pregnancy lasts 140-160 days. Veterinarians operate with a conditional figure of 150 days. It calculates the period of changes in maintenance and nutrition. Such indicators make it easier to work with an impressive population and usually correspond to reality.

In this case, the individual characteristics of animals often affect the development of the fetus and the duration of pregnancy. Many factors influence the period of embryonic development. Genetics is of particular importance. The smaller the breed of goats, the shorter the duration of pregnancy. The largest in terms of gestation is observed in large meat breeds. The duration of sucrose depends on external factors. Nutrition and content are of particular importance.

If the right conditions are not met, there is a risk of slowing down the development of the fetus. With a quality and balanced diet, it can, on the contrary, accelerate.

The quality of feeding usually shifts labor by 5-10 days in a certain direction. At the same time, there are certain features. If the quality of nutrition was unsatisfactory at the beginning of pregnancy, the female may over-carry the cubs. If the goat did not receive enough useful elements at the end of gestation, there is a risk of early birth of weak kids or abortion.

Reasons for delaying lambing

The duration of pregnancy depends on internal and external factors. With autumn calving, a shortening of the gestation period is observed compared with spring lambing. This is due to lack of food, low temperatures, lack of sun and physical activity.

If a goat is kept for a whole year on a permanent litter, the duration of pregnancy does not change.

The normal course of pregnancy depends on physical activity. There must be a corral near the barn. It is recommended to leave one part open, and the second - to cover with a canopy. This will give the goats the opportunity to walk in any weather. Lack of movement often causes fetal growth retardation and various anomalies after childbirth.

A goat can go through pregnancy due to poor nutrition. From the third month there is an active growth of the fetus.He needs a sufficient amount of useful elements and energy. The shortage of such substances is compensated by maternal reserves. If the animal is exhausted, there is a risk of an increase in the gestation period or a miscarriage.

Sometimes animals have a false pregnancy. In this case, due to artificial insemination or mating, the egg is not fertilized. Such an anomaly often occurs in goats and can be repeated every year. At the same time, the goat does not give birth.

To exclude pathology, it is worth examining the animal. In a normal pregnancy, the following symptoms are observed:

• on examination, it will be possible to detect the movement of the fetus - while an increase in the size of the udder and abdomen, as well as swelling of the limbs are also present in false pregnancy;
• palpation of the abdominal wall helps to locate the fetus;
• auscultation helps to detect the pulse of the embryo and strengthening of the uterine arteries;
• ultrasound is considered the most accurate method;
• with the help of special tests it is possible to track the change in the balance of hormones.

Harbingers of lambing - how to detect childbirth

To set the time of birth, you should focus on the date of mating. It is recommended to add 148-157 days to this day. This will be the approximate period of lambing.

The following symptoms will help determine the exact date:

1. The udder is poured a week before lambing. It takes on a thick texture. This is especially true for dairy goats.
2. If the udder has become hot and has acquired a solid consistency, this indicates that the baby goat will be born within a day. From now on, it is recommended to constantly monitor the pregnant female.
3. Before lambing, the belly drops low.
4. The lower back becomes more relaxed.
5. Behind the tail area, depressions form on both sides.
6. The animal becomes restless and begins to arch strongly.
7. A few hours before the birth of the cub, a mucous stream begins to flow from the genitals. This lasts until the baby goat is born.

What to do in case of delays

What to do if a goat walks more than 160 days? In such a situation, consultation with a veterinarian is required. When the harbingers of childbirth appear, you should be ready to help the goat. If within an hour after the onset of mucous secretions there are no attempts and contractions, this indicates a weak labor activity.

To stimulate muscle tone, it is recommended to inject 10 units of Oxytocin intramuscularly.It is also permissible to use "Uteroton" or other stimulating substances. If the fetal bladder ruptures, it is worth giving amniotic fluid to the goat. Goat milk has excellent stimulating properties.

In difficult situations, there is a need for a caesarean section. However, in practice, the need for surgical intervention is rarely observed. Most often, it is required when there is a lack of equipment, lack of special tools or insufficient experience of the veterinarian. In addition, such an operation is quite expensive, and therefore not all farmers can afford it.

Before helping a goat, it is worth performing a detailed diagnostic examination.

It is important to make sure the date of lambing. In case of errors, the intervention can harm the mother and cubs. A goat can jump the gestation period, and this is a real danger to herself and her offspring. To avoid such problems, it is important to provide the female with the right conditions and a balanced diet.

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