Some help spotting signs of pregnant goats

We were given Nigerian Dwarfs in August, it's two does and a buck plus a couple bucklings. The males and females were kept separate but one day at the end of August we came home and they had gotten through the gate. The does still seemed to go through their heat cycle in September, but now we're trying to mate them and they won't let the buck near them. Is it possible they're already pregnant?

Welp, I let the buck in with the does today and they must be in heat now. I know it's a 3 week cycle and it's been about 3 weeks.

Gordon, welcome to the wonderful world of goats. And welcome to Permies! I've been keeping goats for about 15 years, so I can offer what I've experienced and observed. I've had the same thing happen to me, with the bucks breaking in to get to the girls! (Talk about a 3-ring circus).

If it was me, I would mark both possible breeding dates on the calendar and then both potential due dates. For Nigerian Dwarfs, gestation is about 145 days. Typically, they lose interest in the bucks once they're pregnant, but I've had does go into false heats three weeks after their first date with a buck, get a second date, and then deliver full term kids near the first due date. It must have something to do with hormones.

So I think it's best to be prepared. Keep a close watch on them when the first due date approaches (a range of 140 to 150 days would all be considered normal) and have your kidding supplies at the ready. Then enjoy those baby goats!