Our First Kidding - Need Some Guidance PLEASE [THEY'RE HERE!!]

[Goatherd]

Your description sounds almost identical to my first two does when they had their kids.
From what you say, kids are right around the corner!
Good luck!

 

[Roll farms]

 

[Cara Peachick]

They're coming soon! Get your birthing kit togther and read up! I agree the Fias Co Farms website is awesome.




Oh, and I just had my first one too. I was surprised the placenta took so long to come out, but apparently up to 12 hours is normal My kid's placenta took 5 hours to "arrive".

Good luck and if she's anything like my doe, you'll now by her yelling when she is "serious".

 

[doxiemoxie]

It's a lovely full moon for having a baby or two! I hope and pray all goes well and that there's lots of new hooves on the ground tomorrow.

 

[20kidsonhill]

 

[terrilhb]

please post pictures when they get here.

 

[jodief100]

Everythign sounds normal. I would guess sometime soon but goats will do things on thier own schedule.

Shaving the udder is really for the convience of milking. If you do not plan on milking her then I wouldn't bother.

 

[freemotion]

I didn't shave my doe for the first kid I had here...it was a rescue and like you, I had no idea as to when she would kid. She kidded in Feb and didn't get messy.

So I didn't shave the two I bred for the next year. Some messy does had to be tied up tightly and washed several time and they were not pleased and I did NOT have fun!

This year everyone got a hygiene clip. I just shaved the back of the udder, around their hoohoos, and the edges of the base of the tails. I left plenty of hair on the lower part and front of the udder as protection if they go through brush (sometimes I've been known to bring them out into my woods to eat multiflora.....I want the hairs to alert them to danger before a stick or thorn rips into the udder). We also have a terrible mosquito problem here, having a seasonal stream and swamp on part of the property. Hair helps. Especially since they can't reach that area effectively to scratch or get rid of a biting insect.

I have no issues with milking the hairy udders. If I am hand-milking I just use my udder washing rag (after washing udder and teats) to brush the belly hair forward and out of the way and to clean it up and remove loose hairs. Works great.

So excited for you. Post pics, and update your title when the big event happens so we don't miss it!

 

[MissDanni]

Well I made my rounds this morning after a very restless night and all is quiet so far.

She is still about the same as she was although she must have had 100 poops in the night because her area is a mess. Looks like normal poop though so I guess no worries. I'll need to let her out in the yard and clean everything up fresh again.

She doesn't seem real interested in eating today and also appears to be pretty tired. Her night must have been like mine

On a side note, we are going to have a baby explosion here. There are 2 ducks sitting on nests, the barred rock hen is sitting and the two silkie hens are both sitting. My rescue horse from late last summer is in heat and seems to think if she walks the fence line she will eventually find a handsome mate. No breeding for her this year though, as this time last year she couldn't even stand up and she was a horse skeleton with fur. She is finally back in good health after a very hard recovery so no need to rock the boat.

Sorry for rambling, back to Trouble (our doe).

I was told last evening that when she had her first kid that she only had milk from one nipple. I wonder if that's something that will happen again, or could it just be that the plug needed help to be removed and never was?

The twin buck that we are crediting with being the Daddy was talking up a storm this morning after I came from checking on Trouble. Was almost like he was asking if his baby/babies had arrived yet.

Thank you everyone for your help and support, I feel much more confident today knowing I have all of you experienced people just a few keystrokes away. I really appreciate you all!

If the timing works out, I hope to be able to video the birth and then I can share it with those who would like to see.

 

[Cara Peachick]