JUST KIDDING ~ Goat Kidding
Preparing for kidding
Prior to kidding: prepare a kidding kit; set up a kidding pen; have emergency clostrum; powdered milk and bottles ready; have your vets or mentors phone number handy and try and be present when the big event happens.
Behavioral changes to look for in the doe
Drift away from the herd
Engage in nesting or circling and digging
Gaze off with wide-eyed stare
Yawn and stretch
Stop eating and/or grind her teeth
Labor and normal delivery
Doe will usually lie down on side. First thing to appear at doe's vulva is fluid-filled, water balloon. In normal, front feet first delivery, a hoof appears, followed by another hoof, then the kids nose, tucked close to his knees. Once the head is delivered the kid quickly follows.
Kids
When the kids are born gently make sure birthing fluids are removed from nose, you may have to use bulb syringe. Once he is breathing place kid in front of doe so she may clean off. The doe will bond with her kid through his scent, do not towel dry kid off or kid may be rejected by his dam. If it's cold outside we use a hair dryer to get the kids dry.
Snip the kids umbilical cord and dip in 7 percent iodine.
Make sure doe has milk in both teats and make sure kid nurses within and hour or so after they are born.
Doe health
We always give the does a generous drink of warm water mixed with molasses. We worm, trim hooves and make sure they get CD/T shot. Does and kids are placed in warm, dry pen; with free choice of hay and water (shallow pan because those darn kids will get into anything).
|
Healthy 8 day old buckling nursing on his dam
|
Kid health (Check with your vet to see what health program works best in your area)
Vaccinate CD/T (BAR VAC CD/T) 2cc subcutaneous (SQ) injection under the skin at the age of one month old. 30 days later give 2cc booster shot. We give an annual booster shot thereafter. Tetnaus shot.
At 3 weeks we start kids on Di-Methox (sulfadimethoxine injection 40%). First 5 days 1 cc drench. Then continue 1cc drench once a week until weaning age. Prevention of coccidiosis.
Goat kids begin to nibble on hay usually at one to two weeks old. We put grain in the creep feeder when they are about three weeks old.
Check on your kids at least twice a day. It doesn't take very long for there health to detoriate
Buck kids should be banded or castrated by the time they are a few weeks old.
We tatoo our kids at three months old weaning age. This is also the age when they can be sold.
Kidding Kit Supplies
7 percent iodine (for dipping navel)
shot glass (perfect for iodine)
digital thermometer
a bulb syringe
a leg snare
gloves
lubricant (Jeffers supplies)
Betadine scrub
pocketknife
scissors
two flashlights
towels (for cleaning air passage)
install a baby monitor if possible
Milk Substitute Recipes
1) Four parts vitamin D milk to one part half and half
2) One gallon vitamin D milk mixed with 12 ounce can evaporated milk and one cup buttermilk. Remove enough milk to add evaporated milk and buttermilk then add remaining milk back to make one gallon.
3) powdered milk designed for goats (we keep in freezer for emergencies)
4) Colostrum substitute- 3 cups milk, 1 beaten egg, 1 teaspoon cod liver oil and 1 tablespoon of sugar
Bottle Feeding Kids
We have several different nipples on hand, sometimes these kids can be picky. We keep powdered milk and colostrum in the freezer for emergencies.
Feeding schedule: Day 1 and 2 -Two to three oz. colostrum every four hours
Day 3 - Three to five oz. half colostrum half milk every four
hours
Day 4- Three to five oz. milk every four hours
Day 5-14- Four to six ounces every four hours
Day 15-21- Six to 10 oz. every four hours
Day 22-35- 16 to 20 oz. three times a day
10 weeks- 16 to 20 oz. twice a day
12 weeks- 8 oz. twice a day
14 weeks-wean the kid
|
Very healthy 11 day old buckling
|
If you rely on a mentor make sure they have lots of experience with difficult deliveries. Buy or read as many books on goats; there are several good books on raising meatgoats but dairy goat literature will work on most aspects.
Try to find a good veterinarian.
Most supplies can be found at your local feedstore or Jeffers 1-800-533-3377
