When should a doe go into the kidding stall?

[jmsim93]

Great! Thanks for the replies. So I guess when I see more "signs" of labor I will put her in the kidding stall for longer periods of time. I lock her up at night separately because they don't get along but in the morning I put them all together. Any other suggestions are welcome...

 

[Chirpy]

Since I have fewer goats (4 Nigis and 3 Nubians) I'll put my two cents in on how I manage kidding.

I have one large kidding stall that can be divided into three stalls when needed. I start putting my expectant doe in the stall at night about two weeks before she's due (that's to get her comfortable with the stall and new routine). I never have her alone there... I divide the stall and have another goat friend next door to her (the divider is wire so they can see each other and even touch noses if they want). I put the expectant doe back out with the herd during the day (I too am home all day so I can keep a close eye on her during the day).

If I know the exact breeding date she goes into the stall 24/7 roughly on day 145... I do change that according to any 'sign's' the doe is showing that she's close to birthing. If she shows zero signs I may wait until day 148 or 150 before the 24/7 stalling. If she's having any signs she goes in on day 145. In four years of kidding I've only had three does fool me and give birth outside of the kidding stalls (and those does didn't have exact breeding dates). But, they all three had their kids in the barn so it was good. (My concern about having kids outside the kidding stall is only a concern in cold weather.)

I keep my doe and kids in the kidding stall for two or three days (depending on weather - if it's cold or wet it may be longer) and then put them in a barn stall that is next to the other goats with an inside - outside area. After about two weeks there I move them back in with the herd. I like to make sure all my kids are plenty strong and quick so they can get away from any other goats that may try to push them around.

Last year my wonderful, sweet, loving hubby got me a camera system for my kidding stalls. I can now watch the stall 24/7 from the house - I LOVE IT! It has saved me a 100 trips a day out to the barn to check on my does and I haven't had a surprise birth since then.

Like jodief100 said - you will figure out what works best for your situation and your goats. Have fun!

 

[20kidsonhill]

I do not like having a doe in the pen for more than a day or two at a time. Exercise is good for them close to kidding and helps to have easier births.

That being said, I don't like kidsicles either.

So I watch for behavior and the weather and have to make a judgement call. It usually works. Often it means bringing a doe in and out of the pen several times before she kids.

I want to have a large "maternity ward" pen where I can shut in several does in one large area. Perhaps next year but for now, I just keep a close eye on everyone.

This question is going to vary considerably depending on who you talk to, how many goats they have and what their goals are. I have 37 does and run a market meat herd. Someone with 2 or 3 does for milk and pets is going to have a very different approach.

I do pretty much what Jodie does. But if I am home and can check on them on a regular basis(every hour or two) I don't bring them into the kidding pen until they are in labor or the first kid or all the kids ar on the ground). I just feel the exercise and fresh air is very very important for them. And mine aren't used to being pulled out of the herd, so they have a tendency to go a little crazy if isolated, I don't feel that helps the kidding process at all.

We do have a barn, that I got shut several does into a group area, if the weather is really bad.