Feeding a doe prior to kidding?

[Wehner Homestead]

I've read that some people feed their expectant Nigerian does for about 6 weeks prior to kidding. Is this something y'all do? If so, how much do you feed? Part of me is worried about getting singles too big but I don't want tiny multiples either. Any advice is appreciated. I'm more familiar with Cattle and feeding them too much makes for more difficult calving...

 

[babsbag]

I don't raise nigis but I will tag some people that do and hope that they can help you.

@Goat Whisperer
@OneFineAcre
@Hens and Roos

 

[OneFineAcre]

I feed mine about the same all the time .
I increase the amount of mixed feed they get and add some alfalfa when they are making milk

 

[Hens and Roos]

we feed about 1/2 a cup per bowl(5 bowls- shared by 14 does) am & pm through winter time but will increase if we see a need as winter goes on. Sorry I cant provide more exact details as we just go by looks. Each doe seems to regulate how much they want to eat. We breed so that our does are kidding no earlier then the end of March here. We feed free choice alfalfa and grass hay mix all the time.

 

[Fullhousefarm]

I feed mine about the same all the time .
I increase the amount of mixed feed they get and add some alfalfa when they are making milk

Yep- I do basically the same here. But, we feed a 16% goat grain all the time. If I didn't feed grain I may slowly add it in the last 6 weeks- especially to does who may be carrying a large number of kids. I'd be more worried about metabolic problems in the pregnant does than big kids. We've never had a kid the dam couldn't deliver in 6 years. And that includes plenty of singles.

I do have one Nigerian who I try to give extra two the last few weeks, but she is tiny, has a history of quads (the last two years), and puts everything in the bucket. She needs the jump start.