KIDS EVERYWHERE!!!!

Well goat fanatics, kidding season is in full swing! Never have I been as excited about kidding season as I am for this one. Best kids we've ever had hit the ground! Now what do you say we talk keeping them alive?

First off lets assume a month prior to kidding you gave mama her yearly CDT and whatever prenatal shot regimen you choose so that it's benefits are passed on to baby.

Second thing is whether or not you let them kid out in the pasture or if you bring them in and pen them up. A few things contribute to this decision. Weather conditions. Available space in stalls/pens. Of coarse if it's cold you want to bring them in about a week or so in advance in case she kids early. Also the environment of a stall is different than a pasture. There are bacteria in both situations, but more concentrated in a stall as the doe can't move along as she does her business as she does in the pasture. So getting her in a stall and letting her immune system become accustomed to these bacteria and developing antibodies that she passes on to kids is critical to keeping healthy kids in a stall for however long you need to. Frequent cleaning of the stall is of utmost importance as well. Dirty stalls are a cesspool of bacteria and germs just waiting to make your babies and mama sick! Naval ill is a fast and swift killer of baby goats and usually is very detrimental to the goat even if they survive. So keep em clean and get those babies off to a fast start as healthy viable go getters. Pasture kidding is another option chosen by many who have rather mild winters. Just keep an eye out that mama didn't kid and wonder off and leave her little ones behind where you can't find them. Sometimes they require a little bonding time. Take them into a smaller lot or pen where they have time to get the basics right like nursing and cuddling for a bit. Once she's bonded with them she'll keep track of them, even out in the pasture. Always make sure they have proper shelter where they can come in out of the rain and wind when out at pasture as well.

Now that we've decided where the big day will happen, and hopefully you know when it's supposed to happen as well. Although I know it's easy to miss a mating here and there. We always have a nocturnal breeder or two and we miss the due date by a little. Keeping an eye on mama's progress is critical. Watch for her udder development. Before she kids her udder should fill and drop lower causing her teats to point outward or forward. The ligaments at the base of her tail will soften and sink in. And of coarse her belly will start to drop leaving that sunken in look between the loin and the big ol belly she should have when she's close.

Things to keep on hand for kidding:
1. Clean, dry towels for helping mama get them cleaned up especially if it's cold. The faster you can get them dry and warm the better. Also the rubbing helps stimulate their breathing.
2. Bulb syringe(you know, the kind you get boogies out of a baby's nose with) Use this to clear airways for kids that are struggling/gasping for air. Don't be scared to go deep with it.
3. Strong iodine solution.(vet prescription these days) Dip baby's umbilical cord into a little cup full of iodine as soon as possible to kill bacteria. Mama should trim the cord too a length where the kid won't be stepping on it. If she doesn't, with a sterilized pair of scissors, trim it back to a couple inches long and dip it in the iodine.
4. Epinephrin(which you should have anyway when giving vaccinations/meds in case of an allergic reaction) A drop under the tongue of a kid that's not breathing but still has a heartbeat could be the difference between a live and dead kid.
5.  Latex gloves in case you have to "go in" and assist. Also wash your hands and arms with soap and water. Then use iodine to sterilize UP TO THE ELBOW. Put on your glove. And get after it. (lets hope you don't need these)
6. Penicillin(injectable) for mama IF you have to assist with the birthing. No matter how well you wash and sterilize, you're still introducing bacteria into the reproductive tract. The penicillin is a precaution for infection caused by your "intrusion"
  
I think you're ready now!

Ok it's time for having babies! Are you ready? Are you excited? Wow! Who wants to watch? SLOWWWW down...lol. Too many people hovering over mama will stress her out. Let her be unless she gets to a point where she's in distress and can't pass them before you jump in there. Be content to watch from over the wall/fence//gate. These animals are amazing and very maternal! Enjoy the show while she shows you how a "real woman" gives birth. Jumps up. Cleans up baby #1. Spits out #2 and possibly 3 and 4. Has them all cleaned up and nursing in less than an hour! Once again I'll say it. THESE ANIMALS ARE AMAZING!

Now! I know some of you are saying to yourself, "This coonass is crazy! My goats require assistance with every birth!" Sure you'll have to get in there on occasion and help out. Maybe pop a sack so a baby can breathe if mama's taking too long, but I've seen people jump in the stall at the first push and hover over the doe, snatch the baby right up as soon as it's out, and clean it up. You're robbing your doe of her motherly duty and instincts. No matter how clean you think you can get in, she's still going to lick it half to death to get the "stink" of your laundry detergent off of it. The smell of "her" is key to her accepting and allowing the kids to nurse. Especially if mama is a first timer. The old pros could care less what you do. They're going to take care of those babies anyway. Might even try to steal another doe's baby as well.

Anyway, send me emails if I forgot something in this process of preparing and birthing. I won't get into details on pulling breached kids on here. If you have any questions about it feel free to ask me via email. Also if you think I'm nuts and doing it all wrong comment or send me an email. I'd like to hear your views and practices. You might even teach me a thing or two that I don't know and should. EVERY DAY THAT YOU DON'T LEARN SOMETHING IS A DAY WASTED!

Ok y'all be good! That's enough of my rambling for now. Love on your goats when you are stressed out. They can be good therapists. They listen to your problems and don't talk back.

REMEMBER Always have someone you can call for instruction if your doe has problems kidding, like a vet or experienced breeder.