Handling pregnant does

[LindseysWoolies]

How much do you handle your pregnant does? I ask this because I have angoras which need to be groomed regularly. I have one who is about 16 days pregnant right now.

 

[skysthelimit]

I usually handle them right about until they start nesting, day 28. But my does always come to the door to be petted, and if one doesn't that means something is wrong. I don't usually pull anyone out of the cage after day 28, unless I think something is wrong.

 

[grumpy]

I palpate the does between 12-16 days....otherwise I don't handle them at all. However, these are commercial NZW's and aren't used to being handled anyway.

With angora's, I'd be cautious with them. Since they're used to being handled anyway, I'd not see any harm in grooming them. Just be careful and make sure they don't take a "bump" or something.

Grumpy.

 

[AnnClaire]

I handle my EA doe up to about a week before when I give her the final clip before kindling.

I clip to about 1/2" before breeding and if it is warm the week she is due to kindle, I will clip the fur on her back and rump as short as I can get it the day the nest box goes in (day 28), leaving the fur on her legs, chest and belly for her to pull from for kindling. Then, if she doesn't clear her teats, I will do some "clean up" clipping the morning after she kindles and finish up clipping her legs, still leaving her chest in case she wants to pull more fur.

I also blow her out until day 28 ... on warm days, even with a short clip, the doe and buck seem to like it