Note: Several readers have requested posts on topics that have already appeared here – “Preparing for Goat Kidding” this is one of those posts that has been updated and republished.
Kidding season is here again, so of course, we’re preparing again (see Kidding Schedule). I’m always both anxious and nervous, but there’s nothing I can do except to make sure we’re prepared. What does being prepared mean? Well for us preparing for goat kidding means:
- Going through my list of kidding season supplies and making sure that it’s up-to-date, and that we have everything on hand (see list here). I try to have supplies on hand to handle all reasonable possibilities.
- Giving each doe a CDT (2 cc) & BoSe (2 cc) shot at 4 weeks prior to kidding, and deworming (to combat the buildup of internal parasites that usually occurs just prior to kidding) them when they move into their individual stalls a week before their expected freshening date.
- Gradually increasing their grain ration starting six weeks prior to kidding, and closely watching each doe to make sure she’s getting enough food but is not getting fat. Because they still have their winter coats, feeling along their topline in the wither and hip areas helps me monitor how thin or fat they are getting.
- Giving each doe an udder, back flank & legs, hair, and beard trim (see Pre-Freshening Goat Clipping) to keep things as clean as possible, and trim hooves one final time before kidding.
- Refreshing our memories on the possible complications/ailments that can occur and what to do about each.
- Cleaning the stalls, making sure they’re as sanitary as possible, putting heat lamps in each to keep the kids warm, and making sure each has a working camera (so we can see and hear what’s happening). We use the Premier 1 carbon fiber heat lamp shown below in the stall that we use for kidding because it puts out more heat than the Premier 1 heat lamp shown in the photo below (we use those in the other stalls after the kids are born).
- Here’s a view into a stall that’s been prepped and had a doe moved in a week before she’s due (many of you goat keeping readers have mentioned that you’d like to see photos of how we set things up).
- Of course, she broke her goat mineral and baking soda feeder (scratching her back) just before I took the photo. We have goat pens that are either 10′ x 10′ or 5′ x 10′ and prefer to have the does kid in the larger stalls, and then move them into the smaller stalls as necessary.
- The photo above shows one of the smaller 5′ x 10′ stalls being prepared.
After getting everything ready, we wait and I try to remember that goats have been successfully kidding by themselves for centuries.
Jaala Fletcher says
Thank you for your sharing. i’ve adopted a few goats and one of them is pregnant…i was told they are free range and only need a bale of hay put out for them once a week.
The pregnant one has filled out her milk sack in the past 3 days of being here, but, i have no idea how far along she is
Lesa says
Hi Jaala,
We didn’t find that our goats were free-range and only needed a bale of hay put out for them once a week – they get a lot more attention than that at our farm.
Lisa Lombardo says
Great info! I don’t have goats anymore but I hope to again someday. 🙂
Dianne says
Love getting to look in your barn. I so can’t wait to build mine someday I so hope.
Donna says
I used to want to raise goats, but life and traveling for work have gotten in the way of that. Now I enjoy them vicariously through your blog and the county fair. I don’t think I’m all that far from you. Would it be possible, when the babies are born, to come take photos?
Erin says
Hi, I’m a Nigerian breeder, too. I also live in Ohio- Northwest, near Dayton. Also have chickens. Enjoying your blog and loved the kidding list. Gave me a few supplies I didn’t have. First doe due in 2 weeks. I’ve got similar kidding pens, and the same heat lamps!
Lesa says
Hi Erin, looks like your herd has really nice lines, and it sounds like we’re on the same schedule 🙂 With similar pens and the same heat lamps, great goat minds must think alike!