Birthing Stall for Nigerian Dwarf Does:
It is a special day so we have a special place for our Nigerian Dwarf Goats to give birth. In this video we go over the kidding stall preparation when our doe is getting ready to deliver her kid(s).
Kidding Kit for Nigerian Dwarf Delivery (full list below):
We like to have everything ready for our Nigerian Dwarf Goats to deliver their kids. So before the birth day arrive, we pack a kidding kit and have it ready to go. What we include in our kidding kit is listed below:
1. Puppy's (or Kid's) Pee Pads: We place these under the doe while she is in active labor to keep the wet kid from getting debris stuck to it. It also makes the area easy to clean after kidding.
2. Old Towels: We use these to help momma (still let mom lick and clean as this is important for bonding.)
3. Unflavored Dental Floss: We use this to tie off the umbilical cord about 1/4-3/8" from the abdomen. You want to make sure you pull it very tight and double knot it. You are helping to prevent bacteria from getting into the navel and causing a navel abscess or even a septic infection. We tie off umbilical right away before the doe has a chance to chew it off leaving it too short to tie and dip.
4. Scissors: We use these to cut the umbilical cord a little below where the cord is tied off and also to trim off the extra unneeded dental floss.
5. Iodine & a small plastic cup: We get our iodine in the wound cleaning area at Walmart. After you cut the umbilical cord, we dip it in iodine to kill any bacteria and to help prevent infection.
6. Kid puller: This is essential if you have a stuck kid.
7. Nasal aspirator: To suck out their nostrils if needed.
8. Gloves: We use gloves handling all newborn kids and momma. Also if we have to go in to help a kid (although I do know some that just wash up before going in because grabbing kids is easier without gloves - if you cannot get a kid out and are wearing gloves, this could be an option).
9. Molasses: We put molasses in warm/hot water for the does to drink after kidding. This gives her a boost of energy and iron after stress and blood loss in kidding. It also causes her to drink more to help keep milk supply up and prevent dehydration.
10. Garbage Bags: We use one bag to throw away all the used pads, the plecenta-birthing materials, dirty bedding, and any other used garbage such as the iodine cup. We use the other bag for all the towels etc. that we now need to wash to reuse.
11. Carrier: We use a bathroom caddy/laundry room organizer to store everything in and easily carry in and out of the birthing stall.
Other Items to Have on Hand or Things to Watch For When Preparing for Your Goat to Kid:
1. Ketosis: We keep Ketone testing stripes. They are relatively inexpensive and if your doe is having issues toward the end of pregnancy then this would be one of the first things to check. More info on Ketosis here.
2. Emergency Vet: Makes sure you have an emergency vet that works with goats available incase there are any issues. One year our vet had moved and we did not know. We tried four local vets and not one would help our doe who had a kid that was never going to be able to come through the birth canal because he was so huge. We had to put the doe down. Tried to save the kid but we also lost him. 4. Selenium/Vit E & Chelated Zinc: Because we are in an area deficient in Selenium - We give does a dose of selenium vit E paste and also chelated zinc (proven to help kids fight of cocci after birth) 30 days before kidding. ​
3. Calcium Gluconate: We keep this on hand at all time. A doe can develop something called Milk Fever (Hypocalcemia). This is a condition that is caused by a high need of calcium in a doe but her not receiving enough. This is most a concern at the end of pregnancy and within the first 3 weeks after kidding. We keep our bred does on alfalfa pellets (high calcium) throughout pregnancy and give as soon as they kid also. It is higher risk in a doe with multiple kids, an older doe, or a doe that is already low in calcium. Injectable Calcium Gluconate is used if your doe has milk fever to give her calcium that is more readily available for her body to use. More info can be found here.
4. Scale: Keeping track of kids weights after birth, along with other information about the doe like how many kids each kidding, what day she kid on, the sexes of each kid, etc can be beneficial for future kidding both in evaluating the doe and the buck - and also for future owners. Also if you are concerned with the weight/growth of the kid you have a starting point to evaluate from.
How to Shave Your Goat's Udder In Preparation to Kidding and Milking
We shave everything from the tail through the udder before kidding. We do this to keep the doe clean after kidding as she will have discharge sometimes for a few weeks after. It is also more sanitary if you are going to be milking. It keeps debris from collecting in their hair and falling in your milk bucket. It is a great benefit if you want to assess their udder or take udder pictures. Also, it makes it easier to see if you end up with staph so you can treat it right away.
What are the Signs Your Goat is About to Give Birth? What are the Different Positions Goat Kid's Arrive In? When Should You Worry During Your Goat's Delivery? Those Answers Are Found Here!
***Disclaimer: We are simple farmers and not veterinarians. This is for informational purpose only. What we do on our farm may not be what is best for your farm so please do your own research. This is not intended to replace professional veterinary and/or medical advice. We disclaim all liability in connection with the use of these products and/or information.