I have only had goats a short time, and I keep reading, hearing about flushing your does. Exactly what is flushing and how do you do it? What is the purpose of flushing? Any help will be appreciated... Thanks

-- Barbara (vozarbi@sensible-net.com), January 12, 2002

Answers

Hi Barbara.. Flushing refers to increasing the amount of grain to does just prior to breeding season. The theory being that the animal's hormones sense that since food is abundant, therefore the body can support multiple fetuses/kids, hence the ovaries produce more eggs to be fertilized. It has worked well for some, but I doubt works well for everyone ALL of the time...it's one of those issues that's a bit sceintific and a bit 'old wives tale'.. I tend to believe that if a doe is otherwise fit and healthy, as is the buck, nature will take care of itself in providing the right amount of kids. :) patty Prairie Oak Miniatures http://www.minifarm.com/prairie_oak visit our message board! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Littlegoats moderator

-- Patty Putnam (littlegoats@wi.rr.com), January 12, 2002.

Great post from Patty. I also agree, and also think that if you can't continue with the good quality grain or hay, the doe will just abosorb the extra kids anyway. Her body will just think you are going to starve her now, and adjust :) Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), January 12, 2002.

Hi Barb I tried that last breeding season and only got singles! Didn't do it this season so we'll see what happens.

-- Lynn (moonspinner@bluefrognet.net), January 13, 2002.

This is actually the first I have heard that flushing had to do with grain. See, learn something new constantly. I always assumed, since it was what me sheep friends did, that flushing was putting them out on the very best pasture you had just before breeding. I have always taken mine out into the hay field for long walks and let them eat the fresh green alfalfa and gotten good result I though. (but then maybe they would have had the triplets and quads without it who knows??)

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), January 14, 2002.

Dairygoats

-- x (x@x.com), January 23, 2002.

hmm

-- x (x@x.com), January 23, 2002.

Not sure what the other posts were, but it did get me back to read Diane's post. You are certainly correct, you can flush my moving to new pasture with a better quality of grass, or even alfalfa hay. It's all about the increase of the plain of nutrition. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), January 23, 2002.