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GOAT BIRTH
I remember my first goat babies born on the farm. I was going crazy, wondering if today is the day, what did I need to do, what are
the processes, and where to find pictures to show me. How to check tail ligaments? What about discharge? Mucous?
Presentation? Did I need to do anything? What did I need to take with me? Should I wait?
And what to do with the babies? Do I bottle feed, have the mother nurse, or do both?
It was hard to find pictures on the web, so I took some to show what it looks like when kids are coming!
the processes, and where to find pictures to show me. How to check tail ligaments? What about discharge? Mucous?
Presentation? Did I need to do anything? What did I need to take with me? Should I wait?
And what to do with the babies? Do I bottle feed, have the mother nurse, or do both?
It was hard to find pictures on the web, so I took some to show what it looks like when kids are coming!
How do we know she is getting ready to kid?
As the time gets closer (150-155 days of pregnancy), her body
starts to get ready. She starts to bag up (her udder gets swollen
with colostrum and milk), some bag up days or weeks before,
some bag up the day before and some may even wait until they
deliver to really come into their milk. Their labia and vulva area
are puffy and swollen and a little loose.
Their tail ligaments are opening up, to get ready for the baby to
come through the birth canal. It is easy to check the tail
ligaments. See the picture? Check a goat that is not pregnant and
then check one that is getting close to her due date.
The other way that I know a goat is getting ready to 'go', is she
starts to hollow out.
For about the last 2 months, they look pregnant, with a rounded
belly, and many goats right before they deliver may start to look
hollowed out and hardly pregnant at all. That is because the baby,
or babies, are getting ready to come!
If you look at the goat in the picture below, you will see how her
side seems 'hollow'.
As the time gets closer (150-155 days of pregnancy), her body
starts to get ready. She starts to bag up (her udder gets swollen
with colostrum and milk), some bag up days or weeks before,
some bag up the day before and some may even wait until they
deliver to really come into their milk. Their labia and vulva area
are puffy and swollen and a little loose.
Their tail ligaments are opening up, to get ready for the baby to
come through the birth canal. It is easy to check the tail
ligaments. See the picture? Check a goat that is not pregnant and
then check one that is getting close to her due date.
The other way that I know a goat is getting ready to 'go', is she
starts to hollow out.
For about the last 2 months, they look pregnant, with a rounded
belly, and many goats right before they deliver may start to look
hollowed out and hardly pregnant at all. That is because the baby,
or babies, are getting ready to come!
If you look at the goat in the picture below, you will see how her
side seems 'hollow'.
The goat is restless, she gets up and down, walks around, turns her back to you, ignores you, pushes her head against the wall, paws the ground again and
again. She is uncomfortable and trying to adjust gently through the stages of birth. During this time, I try to remember what it felt like for me when I was going
through the stages of labor. So, I see if the goat wants me to rub her back, scratch her head, put down new bedding, or if they want me there at all. Some
stare at me with attitude and stop everything, waiting for me to leave. Others want me there, and scream if I try to leave them, if only for a moment! I make
sure that I have a stool to sit on, some clean and dry towels, lubrication and latex gloves, and warm water. Even if the water is for the birth, I find that many
goats like to drink some warm water. I also will bring a book, sometimes the wait is long, and they may want you there, but don't want you moving. So, I take
a book and sit in the corner and read.
again. She is uncomfortable and trying to adjust gently through the stages of birth. During this time, I try to remember what it felt like for me when I was going
through the stages of labor. So, I see if the goat wants me to rub her back, scratch her head, put down new bedding, or if they want me there at all. Some
stare at me with attitude and stop everything, waiting for me to leave. Others want me there, and scream if I try to leave them, if only for a moment! I make
sure that I have a stool to sit on, some clean and dry towels, lubrication and latex gloves, and warm water. Even if the water is for the birth, I find that many
goats like to drink some warm water. I also will bring a book, sometimes the wait is long, and they may want you there, but don't want you moving. So, I take
a book and sit in the corner and read.
When you are asked if she has had any mucous, this is
what it looks like. If it is very bloody or discolored, there
may be a problem, there may not be. Anything that is out
of the 'norm' always puts me on red alert.
The water sack will start to come, she can be standing or
laying down. She will get up and it will go back inside,
and that is fine. Don't pop this water sack, let nature take
its course. I have found that the best human midwives
are the one that are there to assist with the least amount
of interference as possible.
You may start to see a foot in this sack. That is what you
want to see, by the way. Feet first, hooves facing the
ground, and nose following.
See below:
what it looks like. If it is very bloody or discolored, there
may be a problem, there may not be. Anything that is out
of the 'norm' always puts me on red alert.
The water sack will start to come, she can be standing or
laying down. She will get up and it will go back inside,
and that is fine. Don't pop this water sack, let nature take
its course. I have found that the best human midwives
are the one that are there to assist with the least amount
of interference as possible.
You may start to see a foot in this sack. That is what you
want to see, by the way. Feet first, hooves facing the
ground, and nose following.
See below:
MORE PICTURES, click on GOAT BIRTH PAGE 2 --->
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