How long is a goat pregnant?
The Merck Veterinary Manual states: "Gestation length in goats is 145–155 days (average 150 days)" and says it "can be affected by breed, litter weight, environment, and parity". The calculator uses 150 days and shows the 145 to 155 day range.
Normal range = first breeding + 145 days to last breeding + 155 days
Example: bred on 1 January 2026
| Line | Date |
|---|---|
| Earliest normal date (day 145) | 26 May 2026 |
| Expected kidding date (day 150) | 31 May 2026 |
| Latest normal date (day 155) | 5 June 2026 |
| Have the kidding pen ready by | 16 May 2026 |
Kidding dates by breeding month
Breeding date plus 150 days. When 29 February falls in between, the date is one day earlier.
| Bred on | Due around |
|---|---|
| 1 September | 29 January |
| 1 October | 28 February |
| 1 November | 31 March |
| 1 December | 30 April |
| 1 January | 31 May |
When pregnancy can be confirmed
Timings from the Merck Veterinary Manual:
| When | Method |
|---|---|
| From about day 20 | Transrectal ultrasound "can diagnose pregnancy as early as 20 days". |
| From about day 25 | A blood test for pregnancy-specific protein B "can reliably detect pregnancy as early as 25 days after breeding". |
| Day 30 to 45 and later | Ultrasound through the abdomen "can detect pregnancy as early as 30 days, though it is most accurate after 45 days' gestation". |
| Up to day 85 | Ultrasound counts of kids are most accurate up to 85 days. |
| After day 70 | X-rays detect pregnancy after day 70. |
The last six weeks
Merck advises that does that are too fat or too thin, or carrying several kids, need close management through the last six weeks of pregnancy, by increasing concentrate feed and monitoring urine for ketones. Ask your vet about feeding and vaccinations for your herd well before the due date.
This is an estimate, not veterinary advice. Ask your vet to confirm the pregnancy, and agree in advance which signs during kidding mean you should call them.
Other animals: breeding calculator for sheep, pigs, cows, rabbits, dogs and cats, or the horse gestation calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a goat pregnant?
145 to 155 days, with an average of 150 days, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual. Breed, litter weight, environment and the number of earlier pregnancies can change it.
How do I work out a goat's due date?
Add 150 days to the breeding date. A doe bred on 1 October is due around 28 February.
How early can you tell a goat is pregnant?
Merck says transrectal ultrasound can diagnose pregnancy as early as 20 days, and a blood test can reliably detect it from 25 days after breeding. Ultrasound through the abdomen is most accurate after 45 days.
How many months is a goat pregnant?
About five months: 150 days on average.
Sources
Merck Veterinary Manual: Pregnancy in goats · Merck Veterinary Manual: Pregnancy determination in goats
Last reviewed: November 2026 · By Muhammad Shujah Uddin Qazi · How we check rates · Fee changes tracker