As the breeding season approaches, producers should be concerned with the body condition of their breeding does. Goats should not be allowed to become too thin or too fat. Reproductive failure can result if does are under or over conditioned at the time of breeding. Clinical symptoms of over or under conditioned does may include: low twinning and low weaning rates, pregnancy toxemia and dystocia. Check the following NCSU extension factsheets for additional information:

• MONITORING THE BODY CONDITION OF MEAT GOATS: A KEY TO SUCCESSFUL MANAGEMENT
• PREPARING GOATS FOR THE BREEDING SEASON
• HEAT DETECTION AND BREEDING IN MEAT GOATS

In addition, check ‘Body Condition Scoring and then other related articles, a short video and an interactive factsheet from the LANGSTON UNIVERSITY website under Library.