Goat Breeding Nutrition Guide: Feeding Bucks & Does Right

🍽️ Goat Nutrition Before Breeding: When and How to Feed Bucks & Does for Healthier Kids

We’ve raised Nubian goats for several years now, taking the slow and steady approach to building a healthy herd. Our first year, we brought home four Nubian doelings from Arizona and spent the entire time fretting over every cough or sneeze. (If you're a new goat owner, we know what it's like.) 

It wasn’t difficult—just nerve-wracking. But we made it through, and so did our girls!

In year two, we added two more Nubian doelings for genetic diversity and two beautiful dairy bucklings to strengthen our breeding program. Now, heading into our first Nubian goat breeding season, we’ve got a whole new set of questions. So we’re diving into the research and sharing what we’ve learned—starting with goat nutrition before breeding.

Because good goat care doesn’t start when your doe is already pregnant—it begins long before breeding.

⏳ When to Start Changing Your Goat’s Diet Before Breeding

The short answer: begin adjusting your goats’ nutrition at least 6–8 weeks before breeding season—and that includes your bucks.

But before reaching for feed bags or supplements, check body condition scores (BCS). For dairy goats like Nubians, aim for a BCS between 2.5 and 3.5 on the standard 5-point scale.

If they’re too thin, gradually increase calories. Too heavy? Scale back carefully. Both under-conditioning and over-conditioning can reduce fertility in goats.

📋 Essential Minerals for Breeding Goats: What to Give Before Breeding Season

Begin gathering essential goat minerals and supplements about 6–8 weeks before breeding season begins:

• ✅ BoSe (selenium + vitamin E) — supports fertility and immune health in goats

• ✅ Copper boluses — essential for coat health and reproductive function

• ✅ Zinc supplements — especially important in zinc-deficient regions

• ✅ Loose goat minerals — always avoid mineral blocks for accuracy and intake

Since much of the U.S.—including New Mexico—is selenium-deficient, we give our goats BoSe (a selenium and vitamin E injectable) about 4–6 weeks before breeding. This mineral combo supports reproductive health and helps reduce the risk of weak or stillborn kids in selenium-poor areas. Always consult your vet, as selenium can be toxic in excess.

🧪 Research Insight: A 2023 study found that ewes supplemented with vitamin E and selenium prior to breeding had higher conception rates and larger litter sizes than unsupplemented ewes. While this study focused on sheep, the reproductive physiology of goats is closely related—making these results highly relevant for goat breeders aiming to improve fertility and kid survival through targeted micronutrient support.

🐐 Pre-Breeding Nutrition for Does: Flushing, Minerals & Body Condition

Before breeding season begins, your does need to be in optimal condition for conception and a healthy pregnancy. A targeted nutrition plan—including flushing, mineral support, and body condition scoring—can boost fertility, improve ovulation, and increase kidding success.

🥣 How to Flush Goats Before Breeding: Diet, Timing, and Benefits

Flushing goats before breeding means temporarily increasing energy intake—usually with grain or nutrient-rich forage—for 2 to 4 weeks prior to breeding and continuing for a few weeks after. Flushing isn’t about fattening them up—it’s a targeted nutritional boost for the reproductive system.

This practice provides nutritional support to improve ovulation, boost fertility, and support stronger reproductive performance in goats.

Flushing is most effective when does are:

• In moderate or slightly underweight condition

• Transitioning off pasture or forage-heavy diets

• Gradually introduced to grain or energy-dense feeds

Recommended flush feeds for goats include:

• 🍀 Alfalfa pellets – high in protein and calcium

• 🌾 Purina Goat Chow – formulated for breeding and lactation

• 🌽 COB (corn, oats, barley) – energy-dense mix used in flushing diets

💡 Flushing doesn’t have to mean expensive feed. If you’re on a tighter budget, here are a few low-cost alternatives that still work well.

💰 Budget-Friendly Goat Flushing Diets: Affordable Ways to Boost Fertility

Not every farm can afford premium alfalfa or high-end pelleted grain—and that’s okay. You can still give your does a targeted energy and protein boost before breeding using low-cost, effective alternatives.

Flushing doesn’t mean feeding everything on this list! Just pick one or two options based on what’s safe, affordable, and available to you.

🐐 Top Budget-Friendly Flushing Options for Goats

Choose 1–2 of these options to support ovulation and conception—no fancy feed needed:

• 🖤 Black Oil Sunflower Seeds (BOSS): High-fat energy source. Start with ¼ cup per doe daily; increase to ½ cup if well-tolerated.

• 🥣 Soaked Beet Pulp (pellets or shreds): Offers digestible fiber and calories. Feed ½ to 1 cup wet per doe per day alongside hay.

• 🌾 Whole Oats or Barley: Simple grains that boost energy and are easy to find. Start with ¼ lb per doe; increase gradually to ½ lb if needed.

• 🌽 COB (corn, oats, barley): Rich in energy but can lead to overconditioning. Use just ¼–½ lb/day per doe unless underweight.

• 🍀 Grass-Alfalfa Hay Mix: Can’t feed straight alfalfa? Mix 2–3 lbs alfalfa with 3–5 lbs grass hay per doe to improve protein intake affordably.

✅ Smart Feeding Tips for Low-Cost Flushing Success

• Don’t combine all options—choose 1 or 2 that make sense for your herd.

• Introduce any new feeds slowly over 5–7 days to avoid rumen upset.

• If using grains, supplement with minerals and baking soda to prevent bloat and nutrient imbalance.

• Check local feed stores for sales or damaged-bag discounts—just be sure any damage is superficial only. Never use feed that’s wet, moldy, or compromised.

📈 Why It Works

Research shows that even modest increases in energy and protein before breeding improve ovulation and conception rates in goats. With careful planning, you can get these benefits without blowing your feed budget.

🐑 Bonus Comparison: A 2022 review found that strategic flushing—boosting energy and/or protein intake before and during breeding—enhanced ovulation, conception, and kidding rates in both sheep and goats. This reinforces how targeted nutrition timing can improve reproductive success in does and herd management.

🇵🇰 Teddy Goat Study (2019): Does given 250–500 g/day of a 17.5% protein flushing ration for one month before and after breeding showed:

• 85% fertility vs. 75% (control)

• 176% kidding rate vs. 150%

• Heavier birth and weaning weights

📚 Markhoz Goat Study: In an Iranian study, does fed a barley-based flushing diet several weeks before breeding had significantly higher fertility and kidding rates. Results were comparable to those from hormone protocols—showing that nutritional management alone can improve goat reproduction.

⚠️ Risks of Overfeeding Goats Before Breeding: Preventing Overconditioning

It’s tempting to feed more before breeding, but overfeeding goats can backfire and harm fertility. Overconditioned or obese does are more likely to struggle with conception and experience kidding complications, including oversized kids. If your does are already in good condition, don’t go overboard. Think of flushing as a gentle boost—not a weight gain plan.

🧔‍♂️ Feeding Bucks for Breeding: Nutrition, Minerals & Sperm Health Tips

🗓️ When to Start Feeding Bucks for Breeding: 8–10 Weeks Out

Since spermatogenesis (goat sperm development) takes about 7 weeks, what your bucks eat now affects fertility two months from now. Early mineral and energy support gives them the best shot at peak breeding condition.

🎯 What to Focus On in Buck Pre-Breeding Nutrition

• Higher sperm quality and libido for breeding success

• Optimal body condition score (BCS 3.0–3.5) before rut

• Essential trace minerals (zinc, selenium, copper) for testosterone and fertility

• Urinary tract support via Ca:P balance and hydration

Key fertility minerals like zinc, selenium, and copper support testosterone levels, sperm motility, and overall breeding performance in bucks. In deficient regions or low-intake herds, targeted mineral supplementation is often necessary.

Bucks are prone to urinary calculi, especially on grain-heavy diets. Prevent problems by maintaining a 2:1 calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, providing constant access to clean water, and avoiding phosphorus-rich feeds like grains and certain weeds.

While bucks don’t follow a flushing protocol like does, pre-breeding nutritional conditioning—with the right energy, minerals, and hydration—can significantly improve buck fertility and breeding results.

🐐 Goat Pregnancy Feeding Guide: Fetal Growth Milestones & Nutrition by Trimester

Proper nutrition during goat pregnancy supports fetal development, prevents complications, and helps ensure healthy kids and easier deliveries. Your feeding plan should align with each stage of gestation.

🤰 Early Gestation in Goats (Day 0–50): Implantation & Feeding Strategy

What’s happening: Implantation and early placenta formation
Feeding focus: Continue flushing for 3–4 weeks post-breeding to support implantation, then transition gradually to a moderate, forage-based goat pregnancy diet. Avoid sudden changes that may disrupt early pregnancy.

🌿 Mid-Gestation in Goats (Day 50–100): Maintenance Feeding Tips

What’s happening: Organ development continues, but fetal growth is still slow
Feeding focus: Maintain a high-quality forage diet (alfalfa is fine), but monitor body condition closely. No major changes—mid-gestation is a time for nutrition stability to avoid stress or weight gain.

🐐 Late Pregnancy in Goats (Day 100+): Feeding for Fetal Growth & Birth Prep

The final 6 weeks are the most demanding phase of goat pregnancy—around 70% of fetal weight is gained during this time, while organs have already developed.

Nutritional demands increase sharply, especially for does carrying twins or triplets. Focus on balancing protein (14–16%) and energy to support fetal growth without overfeeding.

Gradually raise protein intake to 14–16% and meet energy needs with alfalfa, a balanced grain mix, or both—depending on BCS and forage availability.

Too much alfalfa late in pregnancy can raise calcium levels and interfere with labor readiness, increasing the risk of hypocalcemia (milk fever) and other metabolic disorders in goats.

📃 Research Insight: MSU Extension warns that too much alfalfa during late pregnancy can lead to calcium imbalance and increase the risk of hypocalcemia (milk fever) and pregnancy toxemia in does.

🌾 When Goats Refuse Grass Hay: Feeding Tips for Late Pregnancy

If your pregnant does refuse grass hay—especially in winter when forage is limited—it can be tricky to manage late gestation nutrition without overloading them with alfalfa.

Try these strategies to prevent oversized kids and avoid metabolic disorders during goat pregnancy:

• Mix alfalfa with straw or coarse hay to dilute protein and calcium while maintaining rumen activity

• Offer alfalfa in controlled amounts, ideally twice daily

• Supplement with beet pulp or oats for moderate energy without excess protein

• Balance calcium with grain to maintain a healthy Ca:P ratio

• Use a late-gestation mineral mix to support calcium regulation and colostrum quality

🍽️ Final Weeks of Goat Pregnancy (Day 120+): Colostrum & Fetal Growth Surge

What’s happening: Colostrum formation begins, and kids gain most of their weight—up to 70% of total fetal growth happens now.

Feeding focus: Ensure steady energy and 14–16% protein intake to support colostrum production and kid growth in the final stretch.

If your does are on a basic hay diet and begin losing condition, slowly add grain—starting with 0.25–0.5 lbs per day and adjusting based on BCS and litter size.

If you're feeding alfalfa, increase it cautiously only if necessary—especially with first fresheners or singletons at risk of oversized kids or pregnancy toxemia.

💡 Tip: When forage is limited and grass hay is refused, mix alfalfa with straw or offer it in smaller, more frequent servings to prevent calcium overload.

⚠️ Late Pregnancy Risks in Goats: Warning Signs to Monitor

The final weeks before kidding are when metabolic issues in pregnant goats are most likely. Watch for:

• Pregnancy toxemia (ketosis): More common in does carrying twins or triplets with poor energy intake. Look for dullness, appetite loss, or abnormal posture.

• Milk fever (hypocalcemia): Often caused by calcium imbalance, especially in high-alfalfa diets. Symptoms may include muscle tremors or weak labor.

Maintain access to fresh water, free-choice loose minerals, and a balanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratio (2:1). Monitor body condition score regularly to prevent complications.

✅ Breeding & Pregnancy Feeding Recap: Nutrition Milestones to Monitor

Weeks 1–4: Continue flushing for energy support, taper gradually
Weeks 5–14: Maintain quality hay (alfalfa or mixed), no drastic diet changes
Weeks 15–20+: Slowly increase energy and protein (14–16%); monitor mineral intake
Final Month: Watch for signs of oversized kids, pregnancy toxemia, and milk fever—adjust grain and alfalfa as needed

👶 Oversized Goat Kids: Signs to Watch & How to Adjust Nutrition

You can’t weigh unborn kids, but you can recognize warning signs of oversized goat fetuses. These issues are most common in singleton pregnancies, first fresheners, and does overfed with alfalfa and grain late in gestation.

🔎 1. Monitor Doe Size Changes

• Rapid belly expansion after week 14, especially without signs of multiples

• Big belly, small udder = possible single oversized kid

• Tight abdominal skin, awkward posture, or stiffness when walking

• First fresheners with round bellies may be carrying a fetus too large for their frame

📏 2. Track Feed Intake & Adjust Accordingly

Feeding alfalfa and grain together in the final weeks can oversupply energy—especially in well-conditioned does carrying singles.

If weight gain seems rapid, reduce grain and transition to grass hay or a mixed forage to lower calorie intake and reduce kid size.

👂 3. Ask Your Vet or Consider an Ultrasound

• Late-term ultrasounds can estimate fetal size or confirm singleton pregnancies

• Veterinary palpation may detect excess fluid or abdominal pressure

• Always consult your vet if you suspect fetal oversize—especially in first-time moms

💡 Final Tip: Aim for consistent nutrition—not weight gain. In late pregnancy, your focus is colostrum quality and safe fetal development. If you’re unsure whether a doe is over-conditioned or at risk for difficult kidding, ease off the grain and observe. In goat breeding, less is often more.

📅 Month-by-Month Goat Breeding Nutrition Plan (2025)

We’re starting our prep for this year’s breeding season even as we speak—hay racks filled, minerals checked, and calendars marked. In the section below, you’ll get a peek at our research-backed plan for feeding and managing our herd from now through our target of March kidding.

This is our first time putting all the pieces together in one full-season strategy, so we’ll be treating it as both a roadmap and a learning opportunity. We’ll be watching closely to see what works, what needs adjusting, and how we might refine things next year. Because like most things in farming, success often comes from observation, patience, and being willing to pivot when needed.

📍 July to Mid-August: Evaluate & Prepare

Right now, we’re focused on checking body condition and making sure we’ve got all the right feed and supplements ready to go.

✅ Body condition scoring all our does and bucks

• Target for does: BCS 2.5–3.0

• Target for bucks: BCS 3.0–3.5

✅ Our current setup includes:

• Free-choice alfalfa hay ✔️

• Access to pasture during the day ✔️

• Sweetlix Magnum Milk loose mineral ✔️

🧪 We’re ordering everything we need by early September:

• BoSe (selenium + vitamin E)

• Extra copper if needed

• Purina 16% Dairy Parlor feed for flushing (already fortified with zinc)

• Ammonium chloride (for bucks once we add grain)

🔄 Note: Since our does already have access to high-protein alfalfa, we’ll go slow with added grain to avoid pushing them into over-conditioned territory—especially if forage dries up in winter.

🗓️ Planning Note: Timeline Example Based on October Breeding

If you're planning to breed in October, start your flushing and pre-breeding nutrition plan by late August. That gives you the full 6–8 weeks needed for mineral support, body condition adjustments, and energy ramp-up before the breeding window opens.

📍 Mid-August to Early September: 6–8 Weeks Before Breeding

This is when we’ll start flushing our does and conditioning our bucks.

✅ Flushing the does with grain:

• Begin with ~0.25 lb per doe

• Work up to 0.5–0.75 lb/day if needed

• Continue flushing for 2–3 weeks through the first heat cycle

✅ For the bucks:

• Introduce ~0.5 lb/day of the same 16% Purina feed

• Add ammonium chloride to prevent urinary issues

• No separate zinc supplement needed—this ration already meets our 50 ppm dietary zinc target

💉 Pre-breeding care:

• BoSe injections ~4 weeks before breeding

• Begin heat tracking for planned hand-breeding

📍 Mid to Late September: Maintain During First Heats

• Continue grain through the does’ first heats

• Keep minerals and hay free-choice

• Bucks stay on grain—rut usually burns calories fast

• Adjust buck feed up to 1 lb/day if they start dropping weight

📍 October – Breeding Season

By now, we’re aiming for strong heats and good condition across the board.

• Grain stays in the picture for bucks through breeding

• Taper grain for does slowly after breeding unless under-conditioned

• No major diet changes during the first month of pregnancy (implantation window)
  
  

  🐐 Missed the First Breeding? Try Again with a Second Flush

  If a doe doesn’t settle on the first cycle, we’ll keep her on a maintenance ration (alfalfa + minerals) and restart flushing 2–3 weeks before the next planned heat. The same flushing principles apply—don’t overdo grain, but offer a short-term energy boost to improve conception odds.

📍 November to December: Early to Mid-Pregnancy

• Maintain free-choice alfalfa and minerals

• No extra grain unless needed for body condition

• Monthly BCS checks

🔄 Winter Note: If pasture disappears, we’ll mix in grass hay or reduce hay access time to prevent over-conditioning—especially in single-carrying does and first fresheners

📍 January to February: Final 6–8 Weeks of Gestation

This is when most fetal growth happens, so we’ll start increasing nutrition again—gradually.

• Grain reintroduced slowly (start at 0.25 lb/day, increase to ~1 lb/day if needed)

• Maintain 14–16% protein and adequate energy

• Monitor calcium:phosphorus ratio (especially with alfalfa)

• Support off-feed does with Nutri-Drench or warm molasses water

• Keep propylene glycol or Nutri-Drench ready for high-risk pregnancies

🔄 Oversized Kid Note: If any doe seems overconditioned or at risk for large singletons, we’ll scale back grain or blend in grass hay

👶 First Freshener Note: Watch for Oversize Risks

We’re keeping a closer eye on our first-timers for signs of overconditioning or tight pelvises that might complicate birth. These does get slower grain increases, more body condition checks, and a vet consult if they look like they’re carrying large singles.

📍 March – Kidding Season

This is our transition into lactation and the final stretch of kid-watch.

• Keep feed consistent to avoid stress

• Monitor for ketosis and milk fever

• Ease into lactation rations over 3–5 days, based on appetite and litter size

🐐 Breeding Season Success: Final Tips for Feeding Healthy Goats

Pre-breeding nutrition isn’t just about feeding more—it’s about feeding smarter. By planning ahead, monitoring body condition, and supporting your goats through each stage of the breeding season, you’re giving your herd the best shot at healthy pregnancies, easy births, and strong, thriving kids.

Thank you for joining us on our journey toward our first kids. We're learning a lot, and we hope you are too. Our goal is to take an informed approach to all of our major goat milestones and do our best as farmers to raise healthy does and kids—one step at a time.

Whether you’re preparing your does with flushing or conditioning your bucks for peak fertility, small nutritional tweaks now can lead to big improvements come kidding season.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Goat Nutrition Before Breeding

When should I start flushing my goats before breeding?
Start flushing about 2–3 weeks before your target breeding date and continue through the first heat cycle. If breeding in October, begin by late August.

Can I use alfalfa instead of grain when flushing does?
Yes—alfalfa is a rich forage and can be part of a flushing program, especially when combined with small amounts of grain. Just avoid overconditioning.

How do I know if my does are getting overfed before breeding?
Watch for excess weight gain, thick fat pads over the ribs and tailhead, or low activity levels. Aim for a body condition score (BCS) of 2.5–3.0 for does before breeding.

What should I feed during goat pregnancy?
Free-choice hay (alfalfa or mixed), balanced minerals, and gradual energy increases in late gestation. Avoid major feed changes during the first month.

How can I prevent pregnancy toxemia and milk fever?
Avoid high-calcium diets (like too much alfalfa) late in pregnancy. Offer loose minerals, monitor energy intake, and supplement with Nutri-Drench or propylene glycol for at-risk does.

Can poor lineage or low weight make flushing ineffective for yearlings?
Yes. Yearlings who are too small, underweight, or genetically slow-maturing may not respond well to flushing—and may not be ready to breed at all. A good rule of thumb is that a yearling should weigh at least 70–80% of her expected adult weight before you breed her. For Nubians, that often means hitting 100–120 pounds by 8–10 months of age.
Even with a great diet, flushing won’t override poor development or immature body systems. If your doe is behind on growth, hold off and focus on nutrition instead—we’ll be covering this more in an upcoming post.

Can I breed a doe while she’s still in milk?
Yes, you can breed a lactating doe—but it’s more demanding on her body, especially in dairy breeds. These does are supporting both milk production and pregnancy. To prevent depletion, monitor body condition closely and increase calories if needed in late gestation.

When should I dry her off so she can produce colostrum?
Plan to dry her off at least 6–8 weeks before her due date. This gives her udder time to rest and rebuild for the next round of kids. If she’s still milking, colostrum may not form properly, which can put her kids at risk. Set a firm dry-off date and taper production gradually—especially for heavy producers. Monitor closely for signs of mastitis during the transition.

Curious how we manage kidding, kid care, and milking after all this prep? Stay tuned—we’ll be covering all of that soon.

💌 We'd Love to Hear from You

This is our first time walking through a full breeding season with a structured nutrition plan, and we’re learning a ton as we go. If you're raising goats too—or thinking about it—we’d love to connect!

Got questions about feeding, flushing, or what’s working for your herd? Drop a comment below or shoot us a message. We’re always happy to share what we’ve tried (successes and mistakes) and learn from fellow goat keepers.

And if you found this guide helpful, consider signing up for our newsletter—we’ve got more real-life goat care tips coming soon, from kidding to milking and everything in between.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and is not intended as veterinary advice. Always consult with a qualified veterinarian or livestock nutritionist before making changes to your goat’s diet, especially during breeding or pregnancy. See our Terms of Use for more information.