These short oestrous cycles are very common in goats. Therefore, unlike ewes, most does will have been mated, and be pregnant, by the tenth day. Also, this I synchronized' mating, and the fact that conception rates are normally very high, means the length of joining need only be five weeks. Out of season breeding Both Merinos and goats 6an be mated out of season. However, the success of these matings varies considerably, the pregnancy rates in sheep generally being much greater than for goats.
Pregnancy hi both goats and sheep, pregnancy is maintained by the hormone progesterone.
However, in goats the sole source of progesterone throughout pregnancy is the corpus luteum. Stress which upsets the function of the corpus luteum will cause abortion. Such stresses include trucking, dog worry, yarding or unaccustomed animals and declining nutrition. Does 'plant' their young during the first few days of their life, leaving them in sheltered positions while they graze. The birthweights of kids born at Avondale in 1986 are shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 .