Goat Weight Chart by Age and Breed

Last updated: March 2026 · 5 min read

Knowing whether your goats are on track for their age and breed is one of the simplest ways to catch health and nutrition problems early. A kid that is underweight at 8 weeks may have a parasite problem or inadequate milk supply. An adult doe that is dropping weight may need a feed adjustment. This guide provides reference weights for the most common dairy and meat breeds at key ages.

Important: These are general guidelines based on averages from breed registries and university extension data. Individual goats vary significantly based on genetics, nutrition, climate, and management. Use these as reference points, not absolute standards. Track your own herd's growth patterns over time to establish what is normal for your animals.

Nigerian Dwarf

Age	Does (lbs)	Bucks (lbs)
Birth	2 to 4	2 to 4
1 month	6 to 10	7 to 12
3 months	15 to 25	18 to 28
6 months	25 to 40	30 to 45
1 year	40 to 60	50 to 70
Adult (2+ years)	50 to 75	60 to 80

Nubian

Age	Does (lbs)	Bucks (lbs)
Birth	6 to 9	7 to 10
1 month	15 to 22	17 to 25
3 months	30 to 50	35 to 55
6 months	55 to 80	60 to 90
1 year	80 to 120	100 to 140
Adult (2+ years)	120 to 175	150 to 200

Alpine

Age	Does (lbs)	Bucks (lbs)
Birth	6 to 9	7 to 10
1 month	14 to 20	16 to 23
3 months	30 to 50	35 to 55
6 months	55 to 80	60 to 90
1 year	80 to 120	100 to 150
Adult (2+ years)	125 to 155	150 to 195

LaMancha

Age	Does (lbs)	Bucks (lbs)
Birth	6 to 9	7 to 10
1 month	14 to 20	16 to 23
3 months	30 to 48	35 to 52
6 months	50 to 75	55 to 85
1 year	80 to 115	95 to 140
Adult (2+ years)	120 to 155	145 to 185

Saanen / Sable

Age	Does (lbs)	Bucks (lbs)
Birth	6 to 10	7 to 11
1 month	15 to 22	17 to 25
3 months	32 to 52	36 to 58
6 months	55 to 85	65 to 95
1 year	85 to 130	110 to 160
Adult (2+ years)	130 to 170	160 to 210

Boer (Meat Breed)

Age	Does (lbs)	Bucks (lbs)
Birth	7 to 10	8 to 11
1 month	18 to 28	20 to 32
3 months	40 to 60	45 to 70
6 months	70 to 100	80 to 115
1 year	100 to 150	120 to 180
Adult (2+ years)	150 to 225	200 to 300

Growth Milestones to Watch

Birth to 2 weeks

Kids should gain steadily from day one. A kid that loses weight or fails to gain in the first week may not be nursing adequately. Weigh daily for the first week if you are concerned. Healthy kids typically double their birth weight by 2 weeks.

2 to 8 weeks

Rapid growth phase. Kids start nibbling hay and grain around 2 to 3 weeks but milk is still the primary nutrition. Average daily gain for dairy kids is 0.25 to 0.5 lbs per day. Meat breed kids may gain 0.5 to 0.75 lbs per day.

8 to 12 weeks (weaning)

Most kids are weaned between 8 and 12 weeks. There is typically a brief growth stall around weaning as the kid adjusts to a fully solid diet. This is normal — growth should resume within 1 to 2 weeks.

3 to 12 months

Steady growth. Does should reach approximately 60 to 70% of adult weight by 12 months. Bucks grow faster and may reach 70 to 80% of adult weight. This is the period where good nutrition has the most impact on frame development.

Breeding weight: Does should be at least 65 to 70% of their expected adult weight before first breeding. For Nigerian Dwarfs, that means at least 35 to 40 lbs. For standard breeds, at least 80 to 90 lbs. Breeding underweight does leads to smaller kids, harder deliveries, and reduced first-lactation milk production.

How to Weigh Your Goats

Hanging scale: Put the kid in a feed bag or sling, hang from a digital fish scale. Works well for kids up to 30 to 40 lbs.
Bathroom scale: Weigh yourself, then weigh yourself holding the goat. Subtract. Works for kids and small breeds.
Livestock scale: The most accurate method for adult goats. Many feed stores or vet clinics will let you use their scale.
Weight tape: A cloth measuring tape around the heart girth (just behind the front legs). Use a goat-specific weight tape chart to estimate weight. Less accurate but useful for monitoring trends.

When to Be Concerned

Kid not gaining weight in the first week of life
Growth rate significantly below breed averages despite adequate nutrition
Sudden weight loss at any age — check for parasites (FAMACHA), dental issues, or illness
Adult doe below BCS 2.0 — needs immediate nutritional intervention
Adult doe above BCS 4.5 — risk of pregnancy toxemia if bred, risk of metabolic issues
Buck losing more than 15 to 20% of body weight during rut — increase nutrition before breeding season

Track weight and growth automatically

Herd Manager's batch weight tool records weights for your whole herd in one session, shows last weight per goat, and builds growth charts on each goat's profile so you can spot problems early.

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