Does anyone else "flush" their does prior to breeding to increase the number of multiple births? How long do you usually provide the extra amount of grain? This is something I'm trying this year.

-- Lynne (boodad@us.inter.net), August 20, 2001

Answers

Response to Flushing does prior to breeding

I make sure my does are on a gaining plain of condition. Meaning that if they are getting thin from milking I will increase their grain, I want them to be in excellent health, as worm free as possible, good minerals and vitamins out so they are not stressed from defficency etc. Then I breed. I do not necessarily believe flushing is the best of ideas. You increase the protein for X number of days before breeding, the doe ovulates say 3 eggs instead of the 2 she would have ovulated on your regular feeding program. After she is pregnant for a couple of months you go back to your normal feeding program, your browse and pasture is going to receed from the winter, if your hay is not top quality, and taken care of so it doesn't deplete in nutrition, and especially if you are at the mercy of a feed mill that changes your grain whenever they want to, say they move from soy or sunflower oils to linseed oil to make your grain more pourable, this plumets her energy, and makes her eat less grain.......The doe absorbs fetus's which is stress on the system, right at the time she needs a boost in energy and fat for the very fast growing kids at 100 days pregnant. You are then left with a doe in a negative energy balance that is prime to develope Ketosis or hypocalcemia. Sorry you asked :)?? Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), August 20, 2001.

Here's a link to a research paper from Langston University. They have a goat research institute.

http://www2.luresext.edu/goats/library/hart1999-1.html

I guess I'm just behind the times:) Fortunately, I've never had a ketotic goat. Lots of ketotic sheep, though. I think sheep are more susceptable to ketosis.

-- Lynne (boodad@us.inter.net), August 22, 2001.

How could you POSSIBLY get a potty big enough or be strong enough to flush a doe? I mean, I've flushed goldfish, but they weren't struggling..... sorry, couldn't resist.... or is that a doe douche?

-- Gailann Schrader (gtschrader@aol.com), August 22, 2001.

Gailann, my son said, "You should tell them to flush a doe, you have the buck tell her something really nasty" :) Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), August 22, 2001.

Somehow I just knew this original post was going to start something:)

-- Lynne (boodad@us.inter.net), August 22, 2001.