How do you Know When a Goat is Done Giving Birth?
Goat kidding is always an exciting time on a homestead, but it can be scary as well. You have questions, such as, how do you know when a goat is done giving birth? This guide will answer a few of those questions so you can go into kidding season feeling better prepared and more confident.
Knowing when labor is over is an important part of goat breeding and goat kidding, and my goal is to give you a better idea of when things are done.
The Best Part of Spring on a Homestead
Baby goats might be my favorite part of spring; babies of all kinds really help to make the hard work that needs to be done all the rest of the year worth it.
Many times, we, as livestock owners, tend to get nervous, stressed out, and overwhelmed by the birthing process.
The good news is that 95% of all goat kiddings go off without an issue. There was nothing more surprising for me than heading out to our barn only to find a new mom resting with cleaned-off, dry, and alert baby goat kids.
While it’s important to remember that your goats can do things on their own, it is also important that there will be times when you will need to step in and help.
Disclaimer: In accordance with FDA guidelines, the information and products offered on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. I am not a medical professional. Before administering any medications to your animals please contact a veterinarian first.
How long does it take for a goat to finish giving birth?
The answer to this question can vary quite a bit, mainly based on the age of the goat, the breed, and overall health. In general, a goat’s labor can take anywhere from 30 minutes all the way to 12 hours and sometimes longer.
Here is a good birthing tip: Once you see the water sack emerge from your doe, you can expect kids to hit the ground in about an hour’s time.
Knowing the length of kidding is a good place to start, but even more important is knowing when she is finished. Let’s talk about that now.
First-Time Goat Kidding? Don’t just wing it—having a solid guide will save you from second-guessing every little sign your goat gives you.
How do you Know When a Goat is Done Giving Birth?
There are a few obvious signs to watch for that will let you know your goat is finished kidding, but there are a few subtle things that can help you know as well.
#1. The Afterbirth is Out
Once your goat has successfully delivered her kids, the next step is for her to pass the afterbirth. This usually happens anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours after the birth. It’s also the clearest sign that the kidding process is completely done.
And yes, it’s totally normal for the new mom to eat part (or even all) of the placenta. It might seem pretty gross to us, but it’s just what goats do.
There is also a slight chance that your goat does not completely pass her placenta. If you see this or expect it, it’s worth giving your vet a call. This could be a sign of a condition called retained placenta, which is something you’ll want to address sooner rather than later.
What to Know: Never, and I mean never, try to pull the placenta out yourself. Doing so can seriously hurt your goat. If anything seems off, it’s always best to get a professional involved.
#2. The discharge changes color
During the birthing process, you may notice a discharge that is clear or pink in color. After giving birth, this discharge should be a darker red-brown color and may contain some small clots. This is normal and indicates that the uterus is contracting back to its pre-pregnancy size.
What to Know: If the discharge remains clear or pink, it may be a sign of retained placenta and should be checked by a veterinarian.
#3. Your Goat Stops Straining or Pushing
During labor, it’s normal for a goat to have contractions and actively strain and push to deliver her kids. But once all the kids are born and the afterbirth is out, she should stop.
If you notice your goat is still straining for a while after everything seems done, it could mean there’s still more going on—like another kid she hasn’t delivered yet or possibly a retained placenta. If that’s the case, it’s time to call your vet to check things out and make sure everything’s okay.
What to Know: The most common number of kids that a goat has is twins, but they can also have triplets or even quadruplets. Pushing after twins is a sign that there are more kids coming.
#4. The doe is calm and settled.
After kidding is done, a doe will typically become calmer and more settled. She will clean her kids, lay down with them, and chew her cud. These are all great signs that kidding is over.
If the doe continues to be restless or agitated, it could be a sign of more kids coming or post-kidding complications such as retained placenta or uterine infection. It is important to watch your doe closely during this time and seek veterinary assistance if necessary.
What to Know: Always Keep accurate notes on kiddings for each of your goats. This information is crucial to creating a breeding and kidding routine with your healthiest and robust does.
Goat Kidding Supplies:
Agri-Pro Enterprises Lamb and Goat Kid Feeding Kit 1- Tube (14Fr), 1-Syringe (60 ML)
50 Pieces Disposable Dressing Gutting Gloves 1.6 Mil Shoulder Length Hunting Field Dressing Gloves for Deer Cleaning Gutting (White)5pcs Pet Nursing Bottles with 5pcs Nipple for Goats Small Animal Milk Drink Nipple Bottle for Nursing Lambs and Goat KidsAGRI PRO ENTERP Lamb & Pig Puller ECON #390001Premier 1 Supplies Shepherd’s Lambing Essentials Kit
#5. Her stomach feels soft.
After giving birth, a goat’s stomach should feel soft and less distended. This is because the kids have been born and the afterbirth has been expelled. If the goat’s stomach remains hard or visibly swollen, it could be a sign of retained placenta or other post-kidding complications that require medical attention.
It is important to monitor the goat’s stomach and overall health after giving birth to ensure she is recovering properly.
What can you do if a goat’s labor has stalled?
If a goat’s labor has stalled, your first course of action should be to contact a veterinarian immediately. While waiting for the vet, make sure the doe is in a calm and stress-free environment. Another tips is to make sure your doe is drinking as dehydration can sometimes lead to labor problems.
SLCG Pro Tip: To encourage your goat to drink, add a few tablespoons of black strap molasses. Goats loves the taste of molasses encouraging them to drink the water. The sugar in the molasses can give a quick energy boost that can be beneficial to your doe as well.
Do not attempt to assist the labor yourself unless you have been trained to do so, as this could cause injury to both the doe and the kids. Remember, professional veterinary care is essential in such situations to ensure the health and safety of your animals.
Things to Know: It’s true not all vets treat livestock; if this is the case in your area, reach out to your vet and see if you can ask for tips on treatment and care of your goats.
More often than not, they will be more than happy to assist you over the phone and walk you through any issues and care you need help with.
Raising goats can be a rewarding experience, with unique challenges and fun surprises. Remember to be close if needed, but do not hover while your goat is kidding. This will keep everyone involved and relaxed throughout the process.
Knowing when your goat is done giving birth is a great skill to have before any kidding season. Get more tips on goat kidding by checking out some of our other articles below. Good luck and happy kidding!
You don’t need to memorize every little detail about baby goat feeding. Just follow this Baby Goat Feeding Schedule, and you’ll have happy, healthy kids.
More Goat Kidding Help:
5 Signs That Labor Is Over and Your Goat Is Ready to Rest
Goats can deliver multiple kids, so knowing when they’re really done is important. These five signs will clear up any doubts.
Instructions
- The afterbirth is out. Once all the kids are delivered, the goat will expel the afterbirth, usually within a few minutes to a few hours.
- The discharge changes color. During labor, a goat may have a clear or pink discharge, but after birth, it should turn darker red-brown with small clots. This change indicates the uterus is shrinking back to normal.
- The goat stops straining or pushing. Straining and pushing are normal during labor, but once all kids are born, these actions should stop.
- The goat becomes calm and relaxed. Once kidding is complete, the doe will typically settle down, clean her kids, and start chewing her cud. If she remains restless or agitated, it could mean another kid is coming or she is experiencing post-birth complications.
- Her stomach feels soft and less distended as the kids and afterbirth have been delivered.
Notes
- Give her space but stay close enough to observe. A goat that has finished kidding usually wants time to bond with her kids. Hovering too much can stress her out, so check in quietly without disrupting her.
- Keep an eye on her energy levels. While she might rest a lot after birth, she should still be alert and aware of her babies. If she seems overly weak or uninterested, she might need extra care.
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