Normal Health Information

• Temperature = 102.5 - 104 - This varies depending on the temperature of the goat's surroundings. 
• Pulse rate = 70 - 80 beats per minute
• Respiration =15 to 30 per minute
• Rumen (stomach) movements = 1 - 1.5 per minute
• Puberty = 7 weeks - 8 months (separate bucks from does at 2 month)
• Estrus/Heat Cycle = 17 to 23 days
• Gestation = 143 to 155 days
• Life span:
  • Does = 11-12 years average age, but... usually the death in does is kidding related.  Does that are "retired" from breeding around age 10 live longer: 16-18 years (and I just recently found a doe who was 24; she was retired from kidding at age 10).
  • Wethers = 11-16 years average age
  • Bucks = 8-10 average age - bucks usually live shorter lives than does and wethers due to the stresses of going into rut each year.
• Full growth size: Most goats do not reach their full size until they are about three years of age. (They keep growing for about three years)