First Time Goat Kidding
This guide is perfect for you if you are a first time goat kidding homesteader. What to expect from the start so you are better prepared for all that can happen.
Goat breeding and goat kidding is a part of raising dairy goats, let’s get you prepared for this exciting time on a homestead.
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Welcoming new life to your homestead is a thrilling experience, especially if it involves the adorable and energetic goat kids. But for a new goat owner, the prospect of their first kidding can also bring about a mix of excitement and, let’s be honest, total fear. Knowing how things work so you can have a better idea of what to expect can lower that anxiety a bit.
The good news is most kiddings go off without any issues but it’s always good to know how things play out so you can help if needed and give support.
Do I Need to Breed Dairy Goats to Get Milk?
If you raise goats that you milk, you will need to incorporate a breeding program into your schedule. Most goats are bred in the fall at the age of 10-12 months and will kid about 5 months later sometime in early spring. Timing is the key to ensuring your kiddings happen when you want them.
Use our Goat Gestational Tool Here
Preparation for Kidding
As your goats approach kidding season, having a few things ready will help you relax before things begin to happen.
Creating a Birthing Space
Before the big day, ensure your doe has a clean, dry, and warm area for birthing. This ‘kidding pen’ should be separate from the rest of the herd to reduce stress and potential injuries from curious goats.
A space of about 4′ x 5′ per goat is ideal, with clean bedding such as straw, as goats prefer privacy and soft, cozy places to give birth. If you do not have an area you can use, a temporary pen can be made using steel fence panels.
Be sure to have hay, water, and a warm corner for kids after they are born.
Gathering Necessary Supplies
There are a few things to have as well to assist with kidding if needed. You can gather these items up and keep them in a tote with a label, Goat Birthing Kit.
- Clean towels for drying kids
- Iodine solution for navel dipping
- A thermometer to monitor doe’s temperature
- Mild soap for cleaning and bucket to fill with warm water
- Gloves
- A kidding kit for emergencies that contains a kid puller, scissors, dental floss, and other misc items
- Vaseline or lubricant
Understanding Signs of Impending Labor
Birthing typically happens around 145–155 days of gestation. She may exhibit ‘nesting’ behavior, scratching and pawing at the ground to make a birthing spot. Her ligaments at the tail will start to loosen, and the mammary glands may swell with colostrum.
13 Signs Your Goats are About to Kid
During Kidding
Once kidding begins things tend to get a bit more tense. Just remember your goal is to be supportive but not to hover. Sometimes a goat will not deliver if they are stressed or crowded by people. Watch for signs that she may want privacy and try to give her what she needs to kid.
Signs of Labor Initiation
Kidding typically begins with contractions. As the cervix dilates, the water sac or bubble may appear at the vagina. This usually breaks as the kid moves into position.
What is the best position for a kid at birth?
You want the kids to present in a divers position, meaning nose and hooves facing out. if you do not see two hooves and a nose you will want to monitor her progress to ensure the kid falls into place. Please remember to contact a vet if you need help repositioning a goat kid.
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Monitoring the Doe’s Progress
To monitor, watch your doe but keep your distance. You want to be there in case you need to intervene but not hover to the point that your doe is uncomfortable. The birthing progress happens as the first kid enters the birth canal. At this point you may see a clear, stringy mucus discharge. Your doe will likely arch her back, vocalize as a moan up to a yell, and show signs of pushing. She may also push her head up against the wall as she is pushing.
Assisting the Doe If Needed (With Caution)
Sometimes, kids need a little help, especially when a doe is having multiples or first-timers meaning a doe that has never had kids before. Going “in” to help position a kid can be risky and may cause injury if not done properly. Only intervene if:
- The doe has been actively pushing for over an hour with no progress
- The kid is in the wrong position and cannot be corrected by the doe
We love this book on sheep care. Even thought it is for sheep, the position issues are the same with goats and having a visual of what can happen and how to fix each one can be very helpful especially if you are a visual person.
Identifying Signs of Complications
If you notice excessive bleeding, a kid stuck in the birth canal, or a doe struggling, these are signs of a birthing emergency. Act promptly but with care.
When to Intervene Versus When to Call a Vet
A good rule of thumb is to intervene only if you are certain you can do so without causing harm. If in doubt, or if the situation doesn’t improve with your help, call a vet immediately.
If you do not have a livestock vet in your area, you will still want to contact him/her to see if they can offer advice if you ever need it. Just because a vet doesn’t deal in livestock doesn’t mean they do not have the education to offer advice on what to do if there is an issue.
Post-Kidding Care
Once the kids are on the ground there are a few things you will want to do to help them get the best start in life.
Initial Health Check of Kids
Immediately after birth, check that each kid is breathing and able to nurse. You want them to stand and nurse within 2–30 minutes of birth. The first milk that a doe gives is called colostrum and it is vital to the health of newborn kids. Colostrum contains antibodies that kids need to help them fight of diseases. We like to stay with out kids to ensure they get that first crucial milk.
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What if goat kids are not nursing?
If you have a weak kid that is unable to stand up and nurse, you can hold them up to the does udder. Using one hand to cradle the goat under the belly will encourage them to stand. With your other hand gently squeeze one of the teats spray the kids mouth. As they taste it they will usually perk up, try to stand, so they can nurse on their own. Usually those first few drinks give an energy boost that is needed for newborns and may be enough to get them up and on their feet.
Monitoring the Bonding Process
The doe and kids should be left alone to bond after the initial health check. This is crucial for their long-term well-being. A strong maternal bond is essential for both the doe and the kids. If you have a doe that is not bonding with her kids you may need to help her adjust to feeding them. Sometimes you can help her acclimate to being a mom and sometimes not. In severe cases you may need to take over the mom role and bottle feed rejected kids.
Bonding Timeline
Does will start the bonding process immediately after birth by cleaning off newborn kids. They will nose them to get familiar with their smell and lick them dry from head to tail.
Next, kids should stand and nurse within an hour. This will ensure they get the much needed colostrum within the first 20-30 minutes.
As long as they two things occur, there should be few issues with their relationship going forward.
Establishing a Care Routine for the Doe and Kids
Once the bonding process is underway, establish a feeding routine. Provide shelter, warmth, and gentle handling. Observe them for the next few days for signs of health issues or rejection.
Timeline of Expectations
How Long is a Goat Pregnant?
A goat’s pregnancy, also known as gestation, lasts for approximately 150 days.
Day-By-Day Guide for the First Week Post-Kidding
- Day 1: Observe kids nursing and bonding, dip the navel in iodine, monitor for signs of illness.
- Day 2: Ensure the kids are strong and vigorous, monitor for dehydration in kids and milk fever in does.
- Day 3: Monitor for scours or diarrhea, ensure does pass afterbirth, start a feeding schedule.
- Day 4: Establish a routine, observe if kids are growing and does are healthy.
Feeding Schedules
Kids should nurse several times within the first 24 hours. Then, they should nurse about every 2 to 4 hours.
Doe Care
A balanced diet, hygiene, and regular milking are essential post-kidding. Observe for retained afterbirth which can cause illness.
The kidding process is a time of both excitement and responsibility. By having an idea of what to expect and the timeline things happen on will hep you to be better able to assist your doe if needed.
Prepping can be helpful when kidding season is around the corner. The more prepared you are the less stressed your goats will feel. Remember this guide and timeline for First Time Goat Kidding season is a good way to enjoy this amazing time on a homestead. Remember that each kidding experience is unique, and the best preparation of all is to be there and be ready for whatever may happen.
