When will she kid?

[WildwoodGoats]

I bought my goat, Cat, from a woman on August 24th. The woman who sold her to me said that she was bred on August 14th. Well, Cat, has still not kidded, so I called the woman to ask if she had her dates wrong. She said that perhaps Cat short-cycled and was actually impregnated on August 19th, but that would still put Cat overdue. If Cat was bred the day before I picked her up (on August 23rd) then that would put her due date as today.

Her bag filled in 4 days ago. She has no discharge, and I don't understand how to check her ligaments well enough to know if they have loosened.

It seems as if one side of her bag is filling out more than the other (what does that mean?). Any suggestions on when she might kid or if I should call the vet to induce? She does not seem to be in any distress, so I don't want to induce unless it seems absolutely necessary.

Cat is a Nubian/Alpine mix and she was bred to a Nigerian, so hopefully we don't have to worry about the kid getting too large for her. Any advice is welcomed. This is my first time as a goat mommy.

Thanks everyone,
Katie

 

[WildwoodGoats]

Here is Cat (yesterday, January 19th).

 

[rebelINny]

Her udder doesn't look "full to bursting" to me. Though I know some does don't get that look until after they have kidded. Her belly does seem to be sagging like she is bred. I would just keep a look out on her. Maybe the previous owner is just off and maybe she isn't bred at all. If your really concerned have a vet come out and do an ultrasound and then you can be set at ease either way. Good luck!

 

[WildwoodGoats]

Thank you for the reply. She is definitely pregnant, I have felt the kid moving and even listened to its heartbeat with my stethoscope.

Hopefully she will have it soon. I have been on goat watch for 10 days, because we thought she was due last week.

 

[rinksgi]

I just had my first ever kids born on Friday. i was not sure of the breeding date but looked for signs. Daisy's udder was really big, but she showed no discharge or any of the classic signs. To me, her ligaments were loose but not really loose. Thursday she was daisy with pumpkins in her and Friday when i got home from work, her pumpkins were gone and she had two little doelings. If yiou got her in August, you know she is pregnant and you don't have a buck, she has to be getting close. Someone told me that the discharge can begin and the baby come very quickly.

 

[OneFineAcre]

Pearces Pasture has a post on checking ligaments.

That's the best way to tell.