If you are planning to have goats on your hobby farm or homestead, then you may also be interested in breeding your goats. If so, then you will have many questions about breeding goats. One of the most asked questions is, “How to tell if a goat is in heat?”
Here we identify and discuss the signs and behaviors associated with a goat in heat.
How Can You Tell When A Goat Is In Heat?
It is not always easy to tell when a goat is in heat. While most goats show some signs of being in heat, some goats just seem to go about their day, business as usual.
Additionally, some owners struggle with determining if a doe is in heat or not. Here we offer a baker’s dozen of primary ways to determine if your goat is in heat.
#1 A Wether Goat Will Mount A Goat In Heat.
Many homesteaders keep a wether goat with their does full time. A wether goat is a castrated male. Wethers are known to keep the does calm and generally lead well and reduce drama among the does. A wether also doesn’t know that he is a weather, he thinks he is a full fledged Billy. So, a wether will try to mount a doe in heat. Similarly, if the doe allows the wether to mount her, then she is in a standing heat. A wether goat helps you determine which does are in heat.
To learn more about wether goats, you can click here: What is a Wether Goat?
#2 A Goat In Heat May Be Very Noisy, Very Talkative.
Many goats become very loud and noisy when they are in heat. Being loud is another way to attract attention.
#3 A Goat In Heat Has Swollen Vulva Area And Peraps Some Discharge.
As with many other mammals the goat in heat may show a slightly reddened and swollen vulva. Additionally you may observe some clear or crusty discharge from the vulva area. Sometimes this is also called “Sticky Tail”.
#4 A Goat In Heat Wags Or Flashes Her Tail More Than Often.
Goats often wag their tails. So when we talk about wagging or flashing her tail more than often, we’re talking about a lot of tail action. The quick moving tail is a signal to the bucks that she is in heat. Moving her tail helps the bucks see and be naturally attracted to her potentially swollen and damp vulva. This wagging of the tail also helps spread the scent of the goat who is in heat and ready to be bred.
#5 A Goat In Heat Provides Less Milk.
Lactating mother goats will come into heat, however their milk production will often drop off while they are in heat. Additionally, a milking doe may not be at all interested in the milking stand while she is in heat.
#6 A Goat In Heat Eats Less.
Plain and simple, goats in heat often eat less. Not to be alarmed, your doe will still maintain her composition if she eats less than normal during her 1 to 3 day heat cycle.
#7 A Goat In Heat May Mount Or Be Mounted.
Some goats in heat become a bit aggressive and mount other goats. Alternatively, sometimes a goat in heat is mounted by another doe. If your goat comes into heat and tries to mount other does, then she is, “Acting Bucky”.
#8 A Goat In Heat Becomes More Aggressive And May Butt Heads Too Much.
Goats often butt heads. It is a form or play and socialization, but a goat in heat may be uncharacteristically aggressive with her headbutting. In order to prevent injuries to your goats, you may have to isolate a doe who becomes this aggressive during her heats. Although we have not experienced this in our goats, we’ve read that about one in four does seems to take to this overly aggressive headbutting while in heat.
To learn more about why goats headbutt so much you can click on: Why Do Goats Headbutt?
#9 A Goat In Heat Changes Her Temperament Or Personality.
Some does take on a totally different temperament or personality when in heat; a kin to an alter ego. This means that a goat who is typically fairly calm and quiet may become aggressive and talkative during her heat. Likewise, a goat who is typically a bit aggressive and loud, may become calm and quiet during her heat.
#10 A Goat In Heat Stands For Mounting.
A female that allows herself to be mounted by a wether or billy goat is in a standing heat. If she butts heads or runs from the wether or billy, then she may be in the early stage of her heat; and may likely stand for the wether or billy in a few hours or during the next day when she is more fully in heat.
#11 A Goat Comes Into Heat And The Buck Become Agitated.
Most does and bucks are separated by at least a good fence. If your doe starts spending time at the fence line near the buck(s), then she may be in heat. If the buck(s) come to her and begin to sniff her, snort, and stomp the ground, then the doe is definitely in heat. If the buck becomes agitated, then the doe is in heat. The doe is driving the bucks crazy!
#12 A Goat In Heat Becomes Excited By A “Buck Rag” or “Buck Sock”.
If a buck is not in proximity, then you may use a Buck Rag or Buck sock to help determine if a doesis in heat. A Buck Rag or Buck Sock is a rag or a sock that has been rubbed across a buck’s scent glands, on his forehead near his horns, and then placed in a container or jar.
If you wave the Buck Rag near the doe and allow her to get a good whiff of it, then she will show signs of excitement, similar to the signs in this list, if she is in heat.
#13 A Goat In Heat Urinates More Often.
A doe in heat will urinate more than usual. The doe’s urine contains chemicals called pheromones. The doe’s pheromones signal to the buck that she is ready for mating. Urinating more than usual also allows her to spread her scent around more than usual.
Why Is It Important To Know When A Goat Is In Heat?
It is important to know when a goat is in heat for two reasons.
Reason #1: You want to breed this goat. Knowing when she is in heat allows you to place her with your buck of choice. Typically the doe and buck are penned together for about 36 days. This allows for mating during two full heat cycles and helps ensure the doe is bred.
Reason #2: You do Not want to breed this goat. Knowing when she is in heat allows you to be extra careful and take extra precautions to keep her from a breeding buck. Depending on how good ones fences are, some owners opt to double fence any does in heat that they do not want to breed.
Frequently Asked Questions Related To How Can You Tell When A Goat Is In Heat
What is A Goat In Silent Heat?
Female goats will usually show several of the tell tale signs of being in heat. However, if your female does not show any of these signs, but stands for a wether or buck, then she is in what is known as silent heat. She is “quiet” about being in heat, but is still able to be bred, and the bucks know this.
How Often Do Goats Come In Heat?
Many meat breeds are year round breeders and come into heat every 18 to 22 days throughout the year. However, many of the dairy breeds are seasonal breeders. These seasonal breeders typically come into heat every 18 to 22 days between September and February, until they are bred. About 155 days after breeding, they give birth to goat kids. For more you can click and read our How Often Do Goats Go In Heat?
What If My Goat Is Acting Strange And I’m Not Sure Why?
If your goat is not herself and you’re not sure if she’s in heat, or perhaps she is ill, then do not hesitate to call your veterinarian for guidance.
Here’s a great video for How To Tell Your Goat Is In Heat!
Final Thoughts on How to Tell If Goat Is In Heat
Determining if a goat is in heat is a useful skill in caring for your hobby farm goats. The tips we provide will help you hone this skill.
As always, the more time you spend observing and caring for your goats, the better you will know their habits and idiosyncrasies. Over time you will become more and more skilled at caring for your goats.
Said differently, the more time you spend with the goats, the happier you and they will be!