The following is for NORMAL deliveries for new goat owners.
Doe is kidding what should I expect ? Kids will typically arrive within 30 minutes of one another sometimes less time will pass, sometimes more. Within seconds of being born, the kid should start breathing and struggle to become sternal (lay upright on their chest) Their hind legs may still be within mom, umbilical cord may still be attached….let them stay that way as long as possible so continued blood transfer through the umbilical cord can occur.
ONLY INTERVENTION at this time is to use a towel or a blue suction bulb to clear the kid’s nostrils of persistent fetal membranes or fluid. Within minutes of birth, the doe will likely stand up to check on the kid. This will typically rupture the umbilical cord ONLY INTERVENTION at this time is a quick peek to make sure that the cord didn’t break too close to body wall or to see if it is bleeding heavily. In either situation, you want to stop the bleeding, so the use of a pressure bandage or dental floss to tie it off can be helpful and dip the cord in Betadine.
Ok, ok, go ahead and take a peek to see what sex it is….you know you’re going to anyway. Now move back out of the way and watch what happens next.
Kid should be standing, although it will be wobbly and will likely fall a lot, within an hour of being born. ONLY INTERVENTION is oohing and ahhing and taking cute kid photos.
The more you try to help, the harder it will be for the kid to figure out its legs and stand….remember, the kid’s got an HOUR to figure it out on its own….count it out!
After the kid is standing and walking around like a drunk man in sand, you will notice it seeking for the udder. The kid will go up to anything it can get under and root around, usually with nose stuck out and mouth in position to start sucking.
Experienced does will move into position to help the kid, maiden does may not. The kid will likely start out at the front end of mom, and work its way back where it needs to be.
This process can take another hour.
ONLY INTERVENTION is if it takes the kid longer than 2 hour to find the nipple and nurse. TWO HOURS from birth……give the kid time to figure out where it’s at so that the appropriate body landmarks are set into its memory and it can find it again. The more you interfere, the more often you will have to help because the kid will be busy fighting you as opposed to remembering where to nurse on its own. Take video/pics while you wait.
After the kid nurses, it will be tired. Take more video/pics now, as many have difficulty figuring out how to fold their legs to lay down. It’s funny to watch. ONLY INTERVENTION is if…..well, let the kid figure out how to lay down.After the kid has had a good sleep, it will get up hungry again. It should be steadier on its feet, and have less trouble finding the faucet. This cycle will be repeated multiple times throughout the first few days of life, with the sleep periods decreasing in length and frequency, and the periods of bouncing and exploring the surroundings increasing in duration and frequency.
Congratulations on the new arrivals ! Enjoy the journey of raising goat kids ! By Deb Haines
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Information from GVC “newborn kidding file”
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