is birth imminent (ligaments gone)

[Citylife]

I have two Nubian does first fresheners both were bred December 4 or 5th. I have been feeling their ligaments from the tail to the pin bones consistently now for several months. Today is day 140 and I noticed one of my does ligaments have distinctly softened and very hard to find...finding them before today has been pretty easy. I've read this means she will be giving birth within 12 hours but she's not showing any other signs no discharge,still eating like a pig no anxious behavior. Her udder has been getting larger for about a week but no definite change from the last few days. Also I've read that you wont be able to feel the babies within 12 hours and I can easily feel one on her left side...please help any advice is appreciated

 

[Queen Mum]

Probably just practicing. The ligs come and go for several days to weeks before delivery. The key is to look for goo, sunken sides, big udder AND lost ligs...

 

[mikayladawn]

Probably just practicing.

X2
A few of my goats' ligaments will begin to move and soften then come back only to go again about a week before kidding. When the ligaments are really gone, then you can actually see it, not just feel it. The area around the tail and tail head will appear sunken, and you won't be able to find ligaments no matter how hard you try. None of my does have ever lost their appetite before kidding, but it all depends on the goat. Good Luck!!

 

[woodsie]

I am in the exact same boat except I have no idea when she was bred...turns out she was bred at the last owners. I have had very puffy vulva for a month and a very develeped udder for 10 days or so. Ligaments seem to come and go, eating like a pig and definitely no goo. My neighbour who has 350 goats for 10 years thought she was very close but that was 2 days ago - I guess the doe code has reached our farm too.

Every night I pray she doesn't have them overnight as she is in the pasture and she is a first time mom so I have no idea if she will be a good mom or not....plus I have my Great Pyrs in the pen with them but they have never been around a birth so we are all new at this. I can certainly emphasize with the nervous newbie vibes....I am a wreck!

 

[mikayladawn]

Woodsie - if you are worried about her having kids out off in the pasture with the risk of your guardian, why not put her in her kidding stall? If she is close enough that is.

 

[woodsie]

The problem is I have no idea how soon she might be ready as she has looked the same for over a week now....and I have no idea when she was bred. If she has some discharge when I check her before bed I will probably put her in the stall (actually a dog kennel hut within the pasture) for the night. Trouble is I think she would be really stressed being away from her sister, they are never more than a couple feet away from each other and they snuggle together....I was thinking maybe I should lock them up together?

 

[mikayladawn]

That would be fine as long as they get together really well. The mean streak in the momma can become more pronounced once they kid, but they sound like they get along very well.

 

[Citylife]

Ligaments are gone and soft and mushy. The girls are miserable and clearly having some contractions. No goo yet, but keeping an eye on them today.
I cant wait!!!

 

[woodsie]

oooo...sooo exciting for you!Hope everything goes well!

We are still waiting, everytime I come to check on her she comes bounding around and looking all perky - jeesh!

 

[Citylife]

Kenya had a boy at 7:30 this evening. He has eaten and is doing great. Looks like our other goat will be kidding also this evening or in the morning. Looks like its gonna be a long night.