89 | How to Prepare Your Goat Herd for Breeding Season: Feed, Flushing, Mineral, and Water

Breeding season success doesn’t start when the buck goes in—it starts weeks earlier with intentional management decisions around feed, body condition, mineral, and water. In this episode, I’m walking through how we prepare our goat herd for breeding season on our ranch, and why flushing is less about grain and more about timing and rising energy intake. I explain how our does typically come off pasture somewhat thin due to declining forage quality and demands of lactation, how we use a gradual hay-based recovery phase after weaning, and why we don’t rush into flushing too early. You’ll hear how we intentionally set the stage so that a modest energy increase 2–3 weeks before breeding actually produces a favorable reproductive response. We also dig into forage-based flushing using high-quality hay, why mineral intake is often the hidden limiting factor in breeding success, and how winter water access quietly controls feed intake, mineral consumption, and overall herd health. If breeding hasn’t gone the way you expected in the past, this episode will help you evaluate the foundational pieces before blaming genetics or the buck. In This Episode, I Cover: What flushing really is—and why it’s primarily an energy strategy, not a grain strategyWhy flushing needs to start 2–3 weeks before breeding, not the day the buck shows upHow our does come off pasture thin from limited forage and lactation—and why that mattersOur post-weaning feeding strategy to gradually rebuild body condition without overdoing itWhy flushing works best when does are moderate condition or slightly thin, not fatHow forage-based flushing works with high-quality hay like sainfoinWhy intake—not just feed quality—determines whether flushing is effectiveThe critical role of mineral intake in estrus expression, conception, and early pregnancyWhy bucks are often overlooked in mineral programs—and how we handle thatThe trace minerals most closely tied to reproductive successHow winter water access limits feed and mineral intakeWhy water is often the most overlooked nutrient in breeding prepSigns that water intake may be holding your herd back reproductivelyHow consistency—not perfection—sets the stage for a successful breeding season Key Takeaways: Breeding success starts weeks before breeding with intentional preparationFlushing works because of rising energy intake, not because of grainGradual post-lactation recovery sets the stage for an effective flushing responseHigh-quality forage can support flushing when intake truly increasesMineral intake—not just availability—can make or break reproductive successBucks need mineral too, even when feeders don’t cooperateWithout adequate winter water, goats won’t eat enough feed or mineralWater is often the limiting nutrient in cold-weather breeding preparationConsistency and timing matter more than aggressive feeding Related Episodes: 14 | When Should My Goats Kid? Timing Your Production Cycle to Optimize Goat Fertility and Forage Nutrition17 | Do My Goats Need Mineral? How to Meet Their Micronutrient Needs and Keep the Herd Healthy09 | The Most Important Nutrient for All Livestock is WATER, Time-Saving Tips for Meeting Animal Requirements, and How We Do It Off-Grid24 | What Is That Smell? The Bucks are In Rut! Should You Buy a Buck to Breed Your Does or Is Leasing a Better Option?26 | Is My Goat Old Enough to Breed? How To Decide When Your Does Are Ready to Have Their First Kids All the Best, Millie Resources & Links: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts+ grab the free Kidding Due Date Chart: https://www.getgoatwise.com/kidding-chartGet Dry Creek meat: https://drycreekheritagemeats.comJoin my insider email list: https://www.getgoatwise.com/insiderJoin the FB community: https://www.getgoatwise.com/communityEmail me:[e-mail] ranch life on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drycreekpastures/ Disclaimer: The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered veterinary advice. Always consult a licensed veterinarian for animal health guidance.