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Uncomplicated
Birth of Kids: By: Julie Kenyon, Slate Brook Farm Starring: Hillside Acres Delight Perhaps the greatest source of anxiety concerning goats is the uncertainty of which day the kid will be born. The average gestation period ranges from 143 days to 157 days and with noted service dates one can pretty closely guess an approximate kidding day. If service dates have not been noted you are pretty much left guessing for a month and the surprise at the end. As a pregnant doe approaches term and if she has been handled regularly, the kid / kids may be seen as a bulge and moving in the does right side. Kidding progresses in three stages:
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| Stage 1: initiation of myometrial contraction which lasts from 12 – 24 hours (picture 1) | |
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Anytime within 24 hours prior to the start of kidding you may notice that her vulva has enlarged, a clear discharge is showing and her pelvic ligaments or the spaces between the pin-bones have relaxed. Your doe may stop what she is doing, tense her back, her tail may go straight as if she is uncomfortable and you may notice her leaving the herd. During this time the doe’s uterus has tensed and one of the kids has been forced up into the neck of the uterus. The bulge on her right side will seem to subside. This change indicates that the kids are in position for kidding. Move your doe to a clean, private area and let the kidding begin. For some time the goat my paw at the ground, lie down, sigh or grunt, and walk around restlessly. She may even talk to her kids. |
| Stage 2: delivery of the fetus (pictures 2-6) | |
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As kidding gets closer the
clear discharge will become cloudier, thicker, and white. A water
bag (amnion) will protrude from the vulva. This sometimes concerns
owners the first time they witness a kidding, but is completely normal.
If all is going well the forefoot will soon appear, followed by another
with the nose of the head resting on the feet. Note the cloudy discharge and the forefoot beginning to appear from the vulva. |
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The goat may rest shortly after this stage and then suddenly give a couple big pushes and expel the kid. Do not attempt to pull at the kid or help the doe unless you are certain there is a hold-up. If so grasp the kid’s legs and as the goat strains, pull them downwards towards her hocks. |
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The second and proceeding kids will follow at varying intervals. The doe will often times tend to the first kid while delivering the second kid. |
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In this picture Julie is clearing the mucous from around the kids nose and mouth while Delight was tending to the first kid. |
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Out comes the second kid. |
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Do not be alarmed if a first time kidder doesn’t take right to her kid. She may not realize she had given birth or recognize this wet, slimy thing as her kid. If this is the case, clean the mucous from around the kids nose and mouth and gently bring the kid around to the mothers nose. |
| Stage 3: Delivery of the placenta within 6 hours and involution of the uterus | |
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If all goes well the doe should
begin to lick, clean and talk to her new kids. After delivery the doe should expel the afterbirth. This stage may take some time so do not try to interfere or pull at the afterbirth. There should be an afterbirth for each kid (identical twins a double afterbirth) and each afterbirth will have a double set of cords. If present it is a good sign that everything has gone as it should. A retained afterbirth is cause for trouble. It will help to keep count of the afterbirth, however, this may sometimes be difficult especially if you are not present and the doe eats part of them. In the case where all afterbirth cannot be accounted for, as long as the doe is showing no signs of complication there is no cause for alarm. If you are certain there doe has not passed all afterbirth and 12 to 18 hours has lapsed your doe may be at risk for septicemia or toxic shock. Interventions are necessary at this time. Do not try manual removal of the afterbirth, instead contact your vet. An experienced breeder may give the doe oxytocin or prostaglandins.
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Congratulations on your new kids. Examine your new kids well and make sure they are healthy , sucking and bonding with the doe. Now it’s time to leave your doe with her new family for a few hours. |
References:
Sheep & Goat Medicine – D.G. Pugh
Storey's Guide to Raising Dairy Goats – Jerry Belanger
The Goatkeeper's Veterinary Book – Peter Dunn
