Preparing for Kidding Season: A Guide to Breeding Goats on Your Homestead

There’s nothing quite like the magic of new life on the homestead. Whether it's your first goat birth or your fiftieth, that moment you hear a baby’s first little bleat—it melts your heart every time.

Breeding goats can be an incredibly rewarding part of homesteading, but it also requires some planning and care to ensure a healthy pregnancy and successful birth. Let’s walk through what you need to know as breeding season approaches.

Timing Is Everything

In Florida, kidding season typically happens in the spring. With our summer heat pushing record highs, it’s best to avoid having mamas give birth during those sweltering months. That’s why fall is often considered the best time to breed—when the weather is more forgiving and stress levels are lower for both goats and their keepers.

Most does will cycle every 18–21 days. During this window, you’ll want to pair them with your buck of choice, keeping them together for a few cycles (usually 14–30 days) to improve your chances of success.

Did You Know?

• By day 20, your baby goat’s heart is already beating.

• By day 100, tooth buds begin forming.

• By day 115, that little one is covered in hair!

With a short five-month gestation period, things progress quickly. By the third month, your pregnant doe will need extra nutrients to support her growing kid(s).

Goat Pregnancy Breakdown: Trimester Tips

Each trimester lasts about 50 days, and every stage matters.

1. First Trimester (Days 0–50)

• Observe your doe carefully but avoid giving any medications or dewormers during the first 30 days, as this can increase the risk of defects.

• Minimize stress. Avoid big changes or anything that could cause your doe to feel anxious -

  stress can cause her to reabsorb the fetus.

• Provide high-quality feed and minerals from the start.

2. Second Trimester (Days 51–100)

• Keep feed consistent and nutrient dense.

• Monitor weight gain and energy levels.

• Make sure clean water and shade are always available.

3. Third Trimester (Days 101–150)

• Stop milking her (if you had been)—she needs all her energy to support a healthy birth.

• Prioritize protein-rich grains, quality hay, and free-choice minerals.

• Remember, does carrying twins or triplets will need extra calories and close monitoring.

Shelter, Safety & Peace

Give your pregnant does a clean, quiet place to rest—protected from rain, heat, and cold winds. Feeling safe in their surroundings is essential for a healthy pregnancy and smoother birth.

Managing Your Land While Supporting Your Goats

Good land management goes hand in hand with healthy goats. When done right, grazing goats can help reduce invasive plant species and promote pollinator habitats. A few key practices include:

• Rotational grazing to reduce parasite loads

• Proper nutrition to boost immune response

• Access to minerals—your goats will instinctively consume what they need

• Targeted deworming using FAMACHA scoring (don’t treat everyone unless needed)

• Accurate weight monitoring to avoid over- or under-dosing medications

A Final Word

Raising goats, or any animal, and helping them bring new life into the world is a gift. While emergencies can happen, many issues can be prevented with proactive care and attention. The more time you spend observing and supporting your herd, the better equipped you’ll be to step in when needed.

Remember, these animals trust us to care for them. And when we do it right, the reward is more than just a healthy herd—it’s the deep satisfaction of living in harmony with your land and livestock.