What are the signs my goat is about to deliver (freshen/kid)? Why are we present during deliveries - don't they kid naturally with no one there in the wild? When should I get worried during delivery? Does the position of the goat kid matter during delivery? What do we do after the baby goat's are delivered? Continue reading to learn more!
What are the signs my doe is about to give birth (freshen, kid)?
1. Lose Ligaments: A doe will completely lose her ligaments within 12 hours of kidding. All goat's will 100% loose their ligaments before birth. Some will lose them an hour and some will lose them 12 hours before birth. This varies greatly between does - but more often then not they follow similar timelines in future kiddings.
2. Udder Size: In prepping for birth, a doe's udder will fill up - to the point where it is almost shiny - and become really tight right before birth (on rare occasions right after but 99% of the time it is right before).
3. Friendly: Most does will be come more friendly. They may follow you around the barn, asking for attention. If they are a more shy goat, they may be more outgoing. There is a definite personality change right before freshening.
4. Talkative: Most does will become more talkative before birth. That may be talking to you, or their babies, or both - but they generally get really chatty as they start to get close. Most of the day Lapis freshened, she followed you around the barn none stop talking.
5. Bedding Down: The doe will start bedding down as she is getting close. She will dig holes in the bedding, get up, lay down, move around, dig another hole, lay down, get up, etc. This will continue all through delivery as you will see in the video.
Miscarriages/Abortion in Nigerian Dwarf Goats:
There are several illnesses that can cause abortions in goats. Qfever, Toxoplasmosis (caused frequently by cats in the barn or in the hay shed), Brucellosis, and Chlamydia (this can be passed through breeding so if one doe has it, it is very likely to be in several does). It also can be caused by injury - getting headbutted by another goat, running a buck in with the does. Anytime there is an abortion in a goat it is wise to send in to verify the cause. Many abortion causing illnesses in goats are also zoonotic (meaning they can be passed to humans.) Always wear gloves when touching any discharge, placenta, aborted kid, etc. It is wise to quarantine the doe especially if the placenta is abnormal looking. You can send in the abortion samples here.
Why are you always present during the delivery and assisting when Nigerian Dwarf Goat's Are Giving Birth?
I have had several ask why we are always present and "helping" during delivery. I wanted to explain the reason behind this. First, the reason we "hand breed" (we put a doe in with a buck when she is in heat and verify breeding). is so we know the approximate date of birth. We can then prepare. You can view our preparing for kids blog here. Plus, let's be honest, unlike wild breeds and most larger breeds, Nigerian Dwarfs are more prone to issues delivering. They have had as many as seven kids as once - we have had five kids before - which can leave issues with more then one kid coming out at once or kids in the wrong positions. Single's can also be dangerous, especially when boys, because they can grow to huge sizes and essentially get stuck because of the Nigerian Dwarf's small stature. Every breeder I currently own a goat on my farm from, including us, have lost a doe during kidding - almost always to a huge single buck kid. We lost ours because our vet retired and we didn't know. We couldn't get anyone to help. Both dam and bucking passed. The best way to prevent tragedies like that is to be present. Check the doe to make sure she is making progress. Check to make sure kids are not in the wrong position, and if so, adjust them. Have a good, goat knowledgeable vet, on speed dial. Don't wait. If there are issues then call the vet right away. Most situations the mom and the kid(s) can be saved if you don't wait. If you wait until the doe is exhausted and the kid has been stuck in the birth canal for a long time, you could loose both kid(s) and mom. If a doe is delivering three, four, or five kids or a huge kid, she is going to be tired. "Helping" assist relieves some of that extra stress on the dam so she is not as worn out after kidding and is less likely to have any post kidding issues. So, the reason we are there, is to protect doe and kids and keep them safe through delivery.
How Long Does a Doe Push to Deliver Babies and When Should I Worry?
Once a doe start's actively pushing she should kid within 30 minutes. This goes for all additional kids. She may take a break after one kid, lick them off and rest, and then after some time she will start pushing again. Once she starts pushing, it is another 30 minutes to get that kid out. If the kid is not out within 30 minutes, then you or a vet must intervein and pull that kid. If you leave longer then 30 minutes you are risking the death of the kid, exhaustion of the doe to be unable to deliver any additional kids, and even death of the doe.
Does Position of Kid Matter in Delivery?
Yes! Yes! Yes! Positioning is VERY important for delivery. If a kid is in the wrong position or more then one kid is coming out at once - it can be impossible for the doe to deliver. My opinion of the worst position is head back, legs forward. This position is impossible for any doe to deliver. If someone pulls on the kids legs, they could kill the kid. If you ever see two feet and no nose, do not automatically assume that those are rear legs. Check to make sure that they are not front hooves you are seeing. Another position, but is not shown below, is head first both legs back. You HAVE to get atleast one of those legs forward (possibly both depending on the size of the doe) to get that kid out. If you see a head only then push back in so you are able to grab its legs. We have delivered kids that were normal, breech, and head and one leg forward. The breech and one leg forward were extremely wide open does. All the positions but normal we have had to push kids back in, move to correct positioning, and pull. Most of these cases you need to intervein and maneuver the kids differently to deliver. And don't always assume the worst. It is amazing how resilient these little ones are! This here is why, if you are new, to have a good goat vet on speed dial. Quick timing with a knowledgeable person is literally a life saver. And don't forget - anytime you have to pull on a kid then pull down - do NOT pull straight out - and pull only when she is pushing. Also, if there is no room get the doe on her feet and have someone stand over her with their back to the doe's head and slightly lift the doe's belly up right behind the udder (like you are bouncing the doe to check for more kids), as this will open more room for the doe to deliver or you to get in if needed.
WARNING LIVE BIRTH VIDEO - Follow Our YouTube Page for More Videos
Here are two additional video's where kidding didn't go as well as we would have liked because kids were in the incorrect position.
And Then You Have New Nigerian Dwarf Baby Goat's To Take Pictures Of!
***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.
***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.