Flushing meat goats
Some people advocate flushing of meat goats prior to breeding. Flushing refers to the practice of providing extra nutrition to does approximately two weeks prior to breeding and for a variable portion of the breeding period, for example one to two weeks, to increase the number of ovulations and have a greater proportion of twins and triplets. This practice is widely advocated with sheep producers and Angora goat producers. Producers have extrapolated the practice to meat goats. However, several controlled studies with Spanish goats in reasonable body condition (body condition score 2.5 – 3.5) have shown no response in kidding or conception rate of meat goats to flushing with extra protein, energy or both. The practice may have utility for meat goats in poor body condition, but there does not appear to be justification for flushing does in acceptable body condition.
Reference: Hart, S. 2008. Meat Goat Nutrition. Pages 58-83 in Proc. 23rd Ann. Goat Field Day, Langston University, Langston, OK.
