Pregnant and Goat Kidding

[FarmerCathy]

Hi All,

I wanted to ask what kind of precautions I need to take while my doe is kidding.  It looks like she will be in the next 24 hours.  Udder is full and mucus plus is leaking out.  I've read some things about being around the birthing fluid while pregnant can cause a miscarriage. 

Has anyone else had to handle the kidding while pregnant?  What precautions did you take?  I know I will have rubber gloves on.  If it was hot out it wouldn't be a problem to just watch and make sure they were alright and let mama take care of them, but its below freezing here and my hubby will most likely be at work when she has them and its just me and I need to make sure these kids don't get a chill.  May even bring the hair dryer out.

Thanks mamas!

[Arduinna]

I've never heard of any of that. But then I was never pregnant when we were breeding goats. Your goats have shelter don't they?  If so, you shouldn't have to worry about much. I'd put down fresh bedding, we used straw and our goats basically used horse stalls in the barn for shelter as we could open the back door to let them have direct access to the pasture or close it as needed. If possible I would keep any does that you think are due to freshen that day in their shelter area, just in case. Mama's instinctively know what to do and so do the kids so they don't need much midwifery usually.

You can help dry them off especially if the doe is busy birthing the next kid. Clean, soft towels are fine. 

[FarmerCathy]

Thanks!!  I was just worried about cold kids.

She had a very large buck by the way.  He is a cutie.  I did as little touching as possible, but did put a little shirt on him because he was shivering a little.  A storm is supposed to blow in, but luckily just rain, no snow this time.  They seem happy and I saw him nursing earlier.  All is good so far.

[Erinz]

Glad things worked out :) I'll hopefully have some birthing does in about 4 months so I always read anything related to kidding!  And congrats on your pregnancy!!! Woot!

[FarmerCathy]

Thank you!  Here is a pic of the kid.

[Arduinna]

Oh cute little la mancha kid looks like. As long as the kids stay with mama and have shelter they should be fine even in the cold. I did make goat coats for mine but we only used them when we hit the early season shows and they were clipped.

[FarmerCathy]

I put a little 6-12 month tee on him last night because he was shivering and he seems to be quite content and I can tell he's been nursing on one side, I guess that means we get the other side.

[Erinz]

He is adorable!

[Chicky2]

Awwww!

[hildare]

hooray!  yesterday was kidding day for us too!!!! how crazy! 

is it ok for me to share on your post too? 

[FarmerCathy]

Aw.  Of Course!!!  So adorable.  Love the ears.

[hildare]

ears! some floppy some not!  Our dd is obsessed with this book, have you seen it?  It plays kind of nonstop in my head now.  You might appreciate it. 

[FarmerCathy]

Originally Posted by hildare 

ears! some floppy some not!  Our dd is obsessed with this book, have you seen it?  It plays kind of nonstop in my head now.  You might appreciate it. 

Yes, I have.  Thank you for reminding me about it, I'll go check on paperbackswap and see if they have it. 

[kimmom]

CONGRATS on your pregnancy :)

WHen our goats kidded last I was pregnant but didnt know it yet :) I had to even pull the doeling to save her so no negatives on my pregnancy , I have a healthy 2 month old little boy!

Our goat kidded last spring so a great time weather wise! I would try to get your buckling onto her other side too just to even it out for the mama.. We are about to breed our other does so we have more kids next summer :) I LOVE our goats!!

[FarmerCathy]

Originally Posted by kimmom 

CONGRATS on your pregnancy :)

WHen our goats kidded last I was pregnant but didnt know it yet :) I had to even pull the doeling to save her so no negatives on my pregnancy , I have a healthy 2 month old little boy!

Our goat kidded last spring so a great time weather wise! I would try to get your buckling onto her other side too just to even it out for the mama.. We are about to breed our other does so we have more kids next summer :) I LOVE our goats!!

Thanks!  That definitely makes me feel better.