SLCG Goat Gestation Calendar and kidding prep
Knowing when your goats will have their kids will allow you enough time for kidding prep so you can be ready for all the births this spring. Use our goat gestation calculator to calculate kidding times and make a plan for breeding and growing your herd.
Goat breeding and goat kidding all center around timing for the best time to begin your breeding program so you kids are born at the optimal time on your homestead.
If you have dairy goats, then breeding and kidding are most likely part of your seasonal routine. Having a plan for when to breed so kids arrive at the best time will help ensure that both mother and baby receive proper care. We’ll discuss exactly what goat gestation means, how long it lasts, why understanding your doe’s breeding cycle is important for knowing when her kids will be born, what timeframe makes for ideal kid delivery times on the homestead, and some tips for planning a responsible breeding season.
When I first started breeding our goats, I found I was nervous through the entire process. The more I could educate myself on what to expect, the more relaxed I became. Education is a valuable resource especially when you are raising livestock on your homestead.
What does gestation mean?
In the goat world, gestation refers to the amount of time a baby goat remains in its mother’s womb. The average gestation period for goats is about 150 days. It does vary a bit with each breed, but overall, this is a good guideline for planning your herd’s kidding schedule.
Knowing when your doe was bred will give you the best idea of when her kids will be born. Goats typically breed in the fall and winter, so kids should arrive sometime in the spring. When you have a due date timed out, it will allow you to prepare for kidding just in case you do need to assist with delivery.
Why is It Important to Know When Your Doe Is Bred?
Knowing when your doe was bred can help you in two ways: it helps you more accurately pinpoint when her kids will be born, and it will help you ensure she gets the care she needs throughout. Finally, knowing when your doe is due will allow you time to prepare for kidding by ensuring you have enough supplies, such as clean bedding, food, water, and kid-care items.
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SLCG Pro Tip: During gestation, be sure to check your does regularly so you can identify any clues that there is an issue that needs your attention. If you notice any changes in her behavior or health, you should contact a vet as soon as possible to ensure she and her babies receive the necessary care.
Why is a goat gestation calculator good to use?
A gestation calculator will help you decide when to start breeding your does. This can be helpful if you have circumstances that require specific timing. For example, if you live in an area where the winters are brutally cold, you may want to plan your kiddings for when things start to warm up. You can select a target kidding month in March, giving you a breeding month in October.
Be sure to use the goat gestation calculator below to map out your own best breeding month for your herd.
When we started breeding, we chose to have the kids in the winter, but as things went on, we found that early spring was actually a better time for us. Choose a kidding date and work your way back to identify the breeding date.
What Supplies Do I Need to Have Ready When My Doe Is Due?
When your doe is due, you should make sure that you have all the necessary supplies on hand to ensure a safe and healthy delivery for both you and your goats. You will need plenty of clean bedding, kid-care items such as milk replacer and bottles, a heat source to keep the kids warm if needed, and, if possible, a separate area for your doe and her new kids.
You should also have an emergency plan in case something goes wrong during the kidding process. This could include having a trusted vet on call who can come to help in case of an emergency, as well as researching what steps you need to take if complications happen.
More Goat Kidding Resources:
Overall, it’s important to be prepared and have all the necessary supplies on hand when your doe is due in order to ensure a safe and healthy delivery. By doing so, you can be sure that both mom and her kids will get off to a good start!
Kidding Process Overview
When your doe is close to her due date, you should monitor her closely for goat kidding signs that labor is close. These signs can include a growing udder, restlessness, a puffy backend, or star gazing. When these signs appear, you should be ready to take action and prepare for the kid’s arrival.
During the delivery process, it’s important to make sure that both you and your goat remain calm and stress-free. You should also be prepared to provide assistance if necessary, as some goats may need help delivering the kids.
Things to Do When Kids Are Born:
- Clean any mucus from the kid’s face and mouth.
- If it is winter cold, you can help with some of the cleaning by wiping the kid down with a towel. It is important to leave the rest of the cleaning to the mother as this is when she will bond with her kid.
- Within 20-40 minutes of birth, the kid should have gotten to its feet and nursed at least once. This is incredibly important as the first milk is full of colostrum and antibodies crucial to the baby goats’ immune system and health.
- Tie off the umbilical cord and dip it into a solution of 7% iodine solution.
- Leave the kid(s) and mom alone to bond and rest.
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.
Next steps:
- Clean up the birthing area and replace it with fresh clean, and dry bedding.
- Be sure mom has plenty of water and fresh hay.
- If she is run down, you can add some molasses to her water for a bit of a boost.
- Watch everyone for signs of distress or illness in either mom or her kids to provide them with the proper care.
By keeping these tips in mind, you can be sure that both mom and her kids will remain safe and healthy during the kidding process.
Goat Gestation Calculator:
Use the calculator below to research breeding dates for your herd. Here’s how it works:
- Enter in a breeding date. You can do this by typing it in or using the calendar icon at the right of the entry bar.
- The due date will show up below the status bar.
- Adjust the breeding date until you have the due date you want.
- Make a note in your goat breeding calendar/binder.
- Start prepping your herd nutritionally for the rigors of breeding and kidding.