Goat Reproductive Information



Signs of heat

Some does show little or no signs of estrus, a phenomenon known as silent heat. It’s a fact about goats that most does show some signs, but each has different signs or different combinations of signs. Along with the length of each doe’s estrous cycle

1.   Anorexia and lack of interest in feed.
2.   Drop in milk yield.
3.   Doe anxiously goes seeking the buck.
4.   Excitement or restlessness

















Reference :
https://backyardgoats.iamcountryside.com/health/10-signs-of-goat-heat/
https://ccari.res.in/dss/goat.html



Insemination

1.    Natural insemination in goat




2.    Artificial Insemination of Goats



In goat production, this technique has been limited to mostly dairy goat herds. However, meat goat producers have shown interest in learning this technique to accelerate genetic gain in their herds.



a)    Advantages of AI

1.   AI is the best way to spread elite genetic material throughout a population. Semen can be collected from top bucks, frozen, and then transported throughout the world where it can be utilized by large populations to facilitate progeny testing. Progeny testing involves breeding offspring to determine their genetic merit.
2.   AI helps producers to utilize their prize bucks that may be physically injured and unable to mate.
3.   AI allows producers to increase their herds without purchasing and maintaining bucks or losing them to predators, injury, or illness.
4.   AI is effective in controlling diseases.
5.   AI is an important breed preservation process.

b)    Disadvantages of AI

1.   The technician must be well trained in the anatomy, function, and regulation of the doe reproductive tract to manipulate the reproductive function and estrus synchronization.
2.   AI requires special equipment and facilities.
3.   It requires a great deal of time to check heat that is crucial for a successful process. On average, a doe's heat phase lasts for 12 to 48 hours.
4.   AI increases capacity to disseminate undesirable genes in a population.


The Doe's Estrous Cycle

The doe's estrous cycle is the interval between two estrus or heat periods that lasts an average of 21 days. The estrus or heat can last from 12 to 48 hours. During estrus does are receptive to being mounted by bucks. For artificial insemination, it is important to identify when a doe is in heat. Producers are encouraged to utilize teasers, usually a vasectomized buck to identify a doe in heat.