Goat Birthing Signs
Posted by: Christine in Goat Facts, tags: birthing, goats, kid, kidding, nigerian dwarf goat, pygmy goatWhat signs should you look for when you think your doe is about to give birth? Some breeders know exactly when to expect kids because of a strict breeding regimen and then they mark off the days on the calendar. Here at my little farm, I let my does breed when they show signs of heat and I let nature take its course. Once I notice that she no longer shows interest in the buck, I just remove him and then mark the calendar for an “approximate” date.
Here are the most common signs of birthing. However, I’ve had a couple of goats show absolutely no signs at 7pm yet at 7am they came to eat accompanied by a little one!
These signs are in no particular order:
- The doe digs a nest, paces, paws at the ground or bedding
- There is white vaginal discharge, loss of the mucus plug, followed by a streaming of clear, runny mucus
- Has loose tail ligaments; tail lifts up
- Appears restless, rises and lies down frequently
- Eyes are luminous and possibly stargazes
- Smells the ground and may exhibit the Flehmen reaction (curling of upper lip)
- Looks behind her, licks or bites her sides
- Hollows out: from the side, hollow areas above the back leg under the back
- Elevates her front end by standing on something with her front feet only
- Bottom of her belly starts getting lower to the ground
- Squats and urinates frequently
- Udder begins to fill, teat have a waxy, shiny look or are strutted (pointed slightly out to side rather than downward) – this sign is usually right before birthing – expect kid in 24 hours
- Vulva becomes flabby & puffy
- Bleats or “baby talks” to the unborn kid
- Grinds teeth
- Breathes faster, pants, yawns
- Goes off by herself to a “private’ place (that could be out in the rain or cold)
- Acts out of character: becomes more affectionate or more standoffish
- Acts uncomfortable and pushes and rolls as the babies get into birthing position
- Vocalizes or grunts when contractions occur
- May refuse to eat the morning of delivery (very rare here!
Remember, all goats are individuals and may or may not show any of the above signs. By knowing your animals, you’ll know when something’s up.
Being present at birthing is a beautiful gift – it’s unlikely that your doe will need help but if she does, just do what comes naturally! Most times all she needs is to hear your comforting voice, especially on first timers.
I love holding wet babies and having them smell me from the moment they’re cleaned off. Then suprisingly, watch them jump around only hours after entering this world! What a joy!
Winter kids have it very hard. I’ve experienced it first hand this year. I’ve lost a few to chills (moms kidded outside in the rain when they had access to a warm dry barn – go figure), and at this time in January most of my kids have the sniffles, runny noses and lots of coughing. It’s very hard to see these little babies not healthy as they should. Because of this, I will not allow any of my does to breed between May and October (hence avoiding kidding between October & March). I’ve had to learn the hard way but certainly not as hard as my little goats!
April 28th, 2010
I’ve added this link to a video of a normal birth – no problems or issues. Brownie is mildly vocal, some can be much louder and others will not make a sound. You’ll see me grab the little hooves & pull. Only do this if you feel the kid is stuck but before you do pull, insert your fingers to feel for the little muzzle. If you don’t feel the nose, do not pull – it could be that the kid is not presenting itself correctly. However, this is no cause to be alarmed.. not yet. Most times the contractions will realign the kid and all will go well. Sometimes, like the case with Gracie, this didn’t happen & she needed an emergency C-Section.
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Wow! Thank you very much!
I always wanted to write in my blog something like that. Can I take part of your post to my site?
Of course, I will add backlink?
Regards, Timur Alhimenkov
Thanks for all the info. I have recently become a new goat owner (pygmys). The people we bought them from said they were pregnant and due around Christmas. Well still no babies. I hate it they will be born in the winter but I live in South Carolilna so hopefully they will be okay. How do I know if they are really pregnant besides them getting fatter? Any info when they are born would be greatly appreciated. Can I use lyme to keep the smell down? How do I know they have lice?
Thanks
Hi Tracie,
There’s really no way to tell an approximate date unless you know when they were bred. They may not have been in heat when they were with the buck and the previous owner may have just assumed they got pregnant.
You can really tell by their size… their rumen on the left side often makes them look ready to pop but it’s only gas. Pay attention to their habits and take note of the signs you read on my site – that’s all you can do unless you want to spend for a sonogram.
I don’t understand what you mean about smell.. they shouldn’t smell at all. If they’re dirty, they could use a bath… they won’t enjoy it but if it’s warm enough it’s okay to bathe them. If their surroundings smell, it must be urine in the hay. As for lice, mine have never had any but here’s a good recipe: Permectin II from the garden department, 22cc/quart. Put in a squirt bottle and run a line down their spine – repeat in a week and that should take care of the nasty buggers!
Good luck & keep me posted!
CGL
Sure, no problem!
I have a large doe who usually has triplets. She went out in the rain early this morning to have one and 15 hours later still no signs of more. She is now penned up with her little boy and has no signs of distress or labor. Is this normal?
Normally twins/triplets come within the hour. Since she doesn’t appear distressed, she’s done. However, have you checked everywhere outside? If she’s eating and nursing her little one, I wouldn’t worry about it. She could just be getting older and may stop having multiple births. Keep an eye on her!
I am new to having pygmy goats. We have had 2 single births in the last month. They are doing fine except the first at about a month old the mama wouldn’t let her nurse became engorged. I thought she was getting mastitis and the vet told us to milk the mom and bottle feed the baby. Then the baby got really weak, he then told me to feed the baby a concockion of oatmeal, pepto-bismol, liquid vitamins & honey and overnight she is doing great and back to nursing. Next mama had twins Mon night. It was 15 degrees here. When I checked on her the babies we cleaned off and dry. I noticed she is curling her top lip and tongue. she seemed to have chills but that seems gone. Is this a sign of sickness and I need to watch her more carefully for other symptoms. The babies are nursing well and she is very attentive to them. She doesn’t seem to be in pain.
Wow.. I’ve never heard of that mixture but if it works, hey that’s great! Have you thought of using a heat lamp when it’s cold? I use one of those red bulbs with the aluminum cover (they’re sold for hatcheries.. about $5 each), that I keep in the pen for mom and babies. They are life savers! I wouldn’t worry about the tongue and lip curling. All goats do it. She’s capturing smells (bucks do it constantly). If you want friendly babies, hold them and play with them as much as you can. Good luck and have fun!
Hi. I have fainting goats. Two does and a buck. I just bought them three days ago (on friday). Both of the does are pregnant but their old owners have no idea when they were bred because the herd was running around in the pasture. The does are now very big. Do you have any birthing signs for fainting goats? If you did it would be very helpful. Thank you for your time.
Congrats on your purchase! First make sure the buck is now in a separate enclosure. We don’t want him around at kidding time. I’m in the same position with some Pygmys I bought in January. One of the little ones (now about 6 months old), looks like she’s about to pop. Unfortunately she should not have been bred but the previous owner let everyone “play” together. So, every morning I make it my duty to feel under her tail for her milk bag. Just before birth (about 24 hrs at most), her bag will fill and swell and look very shiny. She’ll then start to “leak” mucus from her vagina. At some point she’ll start to paw at the ground and appear restless. These are usual & general signs but the important thing is to keep an eye an the girls. Good luck and please let me know the outcome. If these are your first kids, you’re in for a very special treat!
Hi! I am a first time goat owner and one of my Pygmy goats are pregnant. She had her first child on Easter of ’09 but it seem like there should be more children coming because she is from a litter of triplets. But I cant know for sure if there are any more babies coming. How long does it usually take between births for the babies? Can it take a few days, a week, or just 40 mins. to an hour?
Thanks
Sheri, I’m aware that usually goats that have twins or triplets repeat their birthing patterns but it is not always so. Twins/triplets usually come within anywhere from a 30 minutes to 3 hour delay… anything more than that would be dangerous for mom. If mom appears fine and is eating and nursing well, that’s it then – just one baby! Sometimes twins/triplets happen because of being exposed to the buck continuously. If he was removed from her and had only bred once, that narrows her chances for twins or triplets. One baby is fine – mom will recuperate faster and you’ll have only one to dote on! Enjoy them and handle them as much as you can – you’ll see they grow way too fast!
Hi, I enjoyed reading your info. Very interesting! I have one maiden goat that has bagged up for two weeks now. However, I read somewhere that they can bag up for three weeks. She has not started to look shiny yet,nor has she started to drip,so I am hoping she will only be one more week. Do you think she could go longer then that? I have set up a heat lamp and lots of fresh hay. Also, do most of your goats birth at night or is it 50/50 for the day time too?? Thanks for your reply.
Hey Karen! I have the same thing going on with my Cocoa – every morning I see her I think, today’s the day! I have no idea when her due date would be… she was one of these poor does that was left in the daddy buck & she came to me in January already “pulling at the seams”. It’s been my experience with each of my does that a few hours (3 to 8), before kidding, they’ll start dripping thick vaginal fluid. I’ve had one who was eating when her water broke (I was there), I she didn’t skip a beat at the food trough! The shiny bag is also indicative – check for milk.. that usually starts the day of on maidens. None of mine have kidded without the shiny bag so I’d agree that that would be a good sign. Also her sides right by her spine will start to cave in and she’ll hold her tail up (muscles pulling). She’ll do a lot of pawing and rubbing on stuff. Some of mine have actually looked like they wanted my company. But, most of mine have surprised me with kids present at the next feeding. Day or night, rain or shine, in the barn or out… there’s no pattern with these ladies! I guess they like to keep me guessing! Just keep an eye on her and don’t start to worry unless her water broke & 4 to 5 hours have passed. Good luck & keep me posted!
My 8 year old pygmy goat kidded sometime this morning (I discovered her kid at 7 am). She is still not eating, wants to lay around. She is still very large like she may have another one hiding in there. How can I be sure she will be alright?
Jill, if there’s a second kid, it should be here by now… nearly 8 hours. Does she look like she’s straining or uncomfortable? Is she nursing? Goats will eat all the afterbirth and sometimes that fills them up for a bit. Have you tried something she really likes? Prepare a mixture of warm water & molasses to give her more energy. She may be laying because it was a hard birth. Does she refuse to walk? You may need to call a vet if she’s unresponsive. If she appears fine but just doesn’t want to eat, then I wouldn’t worry about it. Make sure she has access to water. Keep me posted!
Hi Christine, i have 2 sannen goats, a 2 year old and a 4 year old, both have just kidded, the 2 year old yesterday morning and the 4 year old this morning. thank you for the fantastic list of what to look for, as this is my first time i found it most helpful! although they both needed a little help at the end all seem to be doing well, but i noticed a little bit of bloody discharge coming from the 2 year old, is this normal or should i be concerned? (both had only one kid) thanks
Naomi,
The discharge is normal. Some goats will “leak” for only a day or two and others will be messy more than a week. If you’re in an area with lots of flies, try to wash their butts and remove the mess. Otherwise it will attract flies and make it very annoying for the moms. Congrats & enjoy the kids while they’re little. Don’t be afraid to handle them… if you want tame goats, you can’t handle them enough!
thats a relief, thankyou! im in the west of ireland and its still cool out so the flies havent woken up yet:)!
I have a momma goat she had a beautiful baby boy sometime Saturday morning. We bought her in January & we did not really know for sure she was pregnate until a few weeks ago. We did not know when she was due. We are not sure what time she had him but when we found him he was struggling to breath and jerking around. Momma would not feed him he would not even try to suck. I milked a small amount of mom’s milk & put in a syringe. I could not get much though because she would not let me. I only had some reular milk in the house so I put some ina syringe & got @ 20cc’s in him. I bought milk replacer & a bottle. He is alot stonger he stands on his own & walks some, but not alot. He is now drinking @ 2 to 3 oz at a time @ every 3-4 hours. Is there anything else I can do for him?
Barbara, that happens sometimes & it seems like it’s always with baby Billygoats. It’s too bad you weren’t able to get more milk from her.. the kid can really use the Colostrum that’s produced in the first 24 hours.
You’re doing the right thing however if you can feed him more frequently, it will be better for him. In nature, kids feed many, many times a day but only a tablespoon or so of milk at a time. When we bottle feed them, because we all have other things to do, we tend to let them suck for 10/15 minutes and then come back an hour or so later for more. If you can keep him in the house in a small box, away from drafts and feed him more often, you’ll see him get stronger, faster. You may also try to have him nurse from mom again. She may have a change of heart – especially from the pain of having milk produced and not used. Be patient, she may fret at first but give it your best shot. Mom’s milk is always the best. It’s only that intense for the first week… after 7 or 8 days, he’ll be able to handle feedings every 3 hours. Good luck & keep me posted!
I have a pygmy doe whos about a year and half which i tryed my hardest to keep away from my boys but she got out and got in with them some time feb or march this year. She developed and udder about 3 weeks ago, At first we thought that maybe its because she was maturing but they kept getting bigger and bigger, she is not yet glossy but for the last 2 days she has been acting vary different than usual. Shes usually woofing down her sweet feed and now she’s barly touching it, hay cracked corn and prezels and crackers she’ll eat tho. Shes been rubbing her sides against the fence nibbling at her sides. Her poop has also changed in consistance usually its the normal little pebbles but now its logs, Shes usually vary loud and now she’s quite, She usually follows the boys out side(there in seperate pens but next to each other) I really can’t tell if shes sunk in shes got medium length fur. This is my first doe i’ve ever owned I’m worried that because she’s been acting weird for the last 2 days now that somthings wrong, but she’s not acting weak or anything but i’m still conserned. I was out in the barn about every half hour yesterday.
Lacey,
Stop worrying.. I’m sure she’ll be fine. She may wait for you or she may surprise you! I had a doe bred 2/14/09 & she kidded 6/14/09 – that will give you an idea with yours. The only time you should worry, is if you see her pushing for more than 20 minutes without any effects or struggling. Most goats bleat a little during contractions, some just breathe heavy and others will make so much noise your neighbors will think you’re slaughtering it! Boo that kidded Sunday is very tiny.. weighs 50lbs at the most and popped out teeny tiny twins – if it hadn’t been for her bagging up, I wouldn’t have been sure she was pregnant so imagine my surprise when she birthed twins, all by herself – no imminent signs beforehand! Don’t worry anymore and don’t look at feeding as any kind of signs.. my Noel will eat between contractions! Let me know how it went!
Thanks I know i shouldn’t worry so much but shes my baby she came to me as a rescue when she was about 6mo and she’s been right up my butt ever since. Shes back to eating her food like the normal little miss piggy shes always been, but shes still not acting like herself shes breathing heavy but as far as i can tell no contractions. Do goats dialate like people?
I know the feeling.. my goats are my kids too! Yes, goats do dilate but you really won’t see that. Sometimes a few hours before anything happens you’ll see a mucus discharge – she may become either super loving or super shy and as much as she’s up your butt all the time, she may want to hide (or she may not). When the time comes, just rub her and talk to her in a calm, soothing voice. Don’t tell anyone, but I sing lullabys to my girls when I catch them in “the act”!
Hi christine, I have just had my first goat birthing and sadly the baby died. she was a beautiful perfect goat baby but the back of her head was touching her back when i found her. it was the does firs kid. she deliverded the placenta 2 hours later. i,ve fed her some hay and talked to her she talked back alot. she seems fine but is there anything i can do to make sure she isn’t too sad.
Awww Allison, I feel so bad for you.. and your doe! I remember sitting in the barn holding a still warm kid that didn’t make it. I think my heart hurt more than it’s mom!
She could be dead because of a number of things… hard to tell when you don’t see it coming. Maybe mom wasn’t experienced enough to help and the baby suffocated. I don’t think it was born dead.. it’s head wouldn’t be bent back like that.
Mom will hurt because of all the milk she has… her bag will get big and if she’ll let you, this would be the time to get milk – otherwise, just let her dry out. Go easy on the grain as it will increase milk production & she doesn’t need it.
As for her broken heart, she’ll be okay – just try to spend a bit more time with her.
Good luck!
thankyou. i feel terrible as yesterday i didn’t know you should be with goats when they are giving birth and now i realise i have been ignorant and neglectful. i should have educated myself before hand. its worse to think there is quite alot i could have done. i dont feel i have the right to keep animals. i wont ever let it happen again. thankyou again for your kind advice. people like yourself make the world a better place.
Allison, don’t be so hard on yourself.. you did nothing wrong. Stuff happens in nature. Of all my goats, only a few was I lucky enough to be there! One even died & I was there. Nature takes care of itself and I strongly believe she didn’t make it ’cause she wasn’t going to survive in the long run! Sometimes these little snots wait until you leave for a potty break to pop out their little suckers.. no matter how many hours you’ve been sitting in the hay just waiting! You’re doing fine.. you’re learning and that’s a good thing… stay smiling!
thankyou very much christine. our other goat has birthed and the kid is just fine. i am now concerend about the mother. she seems to be a very good mother and they are bonding very well. one of her teats is very full and the kid only seems to be suckling off the one. my husband ried to squeeze some milk out of the swollen teat but none came out and she didn’t seem to mind him touching it. we tried to guide the kid onto it but the mum was pushing her away from that teat with her leg. what should we do as i had a touch of mastitis myself and know it turns to infection. i noticed that this teat has always been slightly swollen even before she became pregnant and when the kid first ever went to suckle the mum was jumping around a bit like she was sore and tender. do we need to sort it out . she seems fine otherwise.
Congrats! Kids usually favor one teat over the other.. If mom doesn’t appear uncomfortable or in pain, then its okay. If she appears hurting, hot water compresses help. Also, some goats have a “cork”.. this is a waxy substance that blocks the milk from coming through. Use a towel wet with hot water and massage her udder on that side. Try to “milk” her and see if there’s anything blocking… you’ll see it if its there and milk will squirt if the conduit is open. Again, if mom is happy and doesn’t pull away from kiddo, it’s all good!
hi, i think we have a problem , our goat “BB” came up missing today and i found her in the barn laying down on her side. We think she must have been pregnant when we got her. It has been 5 months.She could be due. She is just laying there on her side and gritting her teeth at times. We can see the baby moving, but the mom has not moved for 4 hours now and her vulva is not swollen at this time. We think she is in distress and not sure what to do.It is our first kid and I don’t want to loose it or the mom. shouldn’t she be moving around a little? Can you give us some advice????
Cindy,
Four hours is way too long – have you called a vet? Kid must be presenting itself breach – you have to go in a feel and turn the kid around… that’s all you can do. It’s 10:25am Thursday now – I sure hope everything is over and mom & kid are okay.
Christine
my goat was at a billy goat’s house for about 6 weeks in August. Today (11/4/09) i saw some mucous coming from her vagina. Does that mean she is in heat, or does that mean she’s pregnant???
P.S. She is a “first timer” Could you give me some advice please???
i need urgent help!!!
my goat needs to be bred!!!
Don’t we all need a little help?
Okay, where are you? I might be able to point you in the right direction as to where to find the appropriate billy goat.
Hannah, I’m sure I answered this post but cannot find my reply.
Hard to tell.. easiest way would be to present her to a billy. If she accepts him or he’s not interested, then she’s not bred. You’d need to leave them together for at least 4 weeks.
I have a pygmy doe that I think is getting close to kidding (this will be her second – she had a big buck with her first) and the vet’s think (not 100% sure though) but that she is carrying atleast twins this time which they detected via ultrasound. For the last week or so, she has been rubbing herself along her stall wall and water bucket. She has been laying down quite a bit lately, yawning and stretching out her body when she gets up. Her tail is up and her vulva is very puffy. Her milk bag is full, but not tight and it doesn’t appear glossy yet. She just stopped eating her grain 2 days ago. She is still drinking good and seems to be picking some at her hay. Should I be concerned that she is not eating or is this a normal sign she is getting close?
Dear Christine, Thanks for all the great information. Very new at this and a little nervous. Our (i am the caretaker) does are due 2/21/10 and we are very excited!!!!!!!! your info has been very helpful!!
Danielle, I’m hoping your girl will have given birth by now. Sorry for not answering sooner but I was out of the country for Christmas & had limited access to the internet. A doe can struggle normally for no more than an hour. I say “normally” & your gut instinct will tell you what’s not normal. Anything more than an hour of hard struggles is not normal & you need a vet or someone with experienced to feel inside & help the doe. Please let me know how things went.
Lisa, kidding time is wonderful experience & I look forward to mine come mid-April. If you’re in the part of the country where it’s a cold winter, just make sure your does have a warm shelter and access to a heat lamp… they won’t naturally go to the heat but the kids will need it. Good luck, have fun and keep me posted!
Dear Christine, thank you for advice. We are getting everything in order, and watching all our girls getting bigger and bigger:0) I am blessed to be a part of this. Anyway I will keep you posted. thanks again!!!!!!!!!
Hi Christine,
We had our first pygmy goat born yesterday. Sadly, the baby didnt make it. It was her first birth & Mom seems to be doing well although her backside looks swollen and Im wondering if thats normal. She’s about 18 months old. Im also concerned about milk. I was told to milk her and did last night as well as this morning. It seemed that there was less this morning. Should I keep milking her or will that just keep her producing? How long should I continue to milk her?
Thanks you.
Aww Jill, I’m so sorry! Were you there for the birth… did you just find the baby lifeless? Is it cold where you are? If so, chills may be the reason for the dead baby. When you say “backside” do you mean her genitals? If so, it’s normal that her vulva be swollen a little bit – that should go down in the next few days. She will also pass afterbirth (mucus), for a few days also. As for the milk, you can milk her twice a day for about 5 months. You can stop milking her altogether but just watch that she doesn’t get mastitis. Good luck!
I was not there, my husband was and so he was able to deal with it much better than I would have. It is freezing where we are. Its difficult to milk her, but I want to make sure she doesn’t get mastitis and I dont know much about it. What are the signs? Is it ok to just stop milking her altogether? Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it.
Jill, you can stop milking her.. I had a doe that lost triplets (she gave birth in the summer but up the hill above our pond – all 3 kids rolled down & drowned.. I found them that afternoon.. it was so horribly sad!) Your doe will dry up. Everyday just run your hands on her udder – as long as you don’t feel rock hard spots & she’s not showing signs of discomfort, she’s okay. If she does develop mastitis, hot towels pressed against her udder will do the trick. You may have to milk her to help relieve the pressure. Good luck & don’t worry too much – nature has a way of taking care of itself!
Thanks so much, that’s helpful and good to know. Its so wonderful and such fun when all goes well but heartbreaking at times, isnt it? The good news for us is that our other doe is looking like she’ll be ready to pop soon and I’m confident and hopeful that story will have a much happier ending!
PLEASE HELP?? WE ARE NEW TO GOATS-PURCHASED TWO IN OCTOBER TO CONTROL BRUSH.SURPRISE ONE WAS PREGNANT.NUBIAN/BOAR CROSS GAVE BIRTH TODAY AT 1;00.2 KID ONE IS FINE & ROBUST BUT LITTLE GIRL IS WEAK, NOT NURSING WELL. MAIN PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE HER LEGS. VERY UNSTABLE, BENDING WRONG WAY AT JOINTS & TURNING ALMOST BACKWARDS.
WHAT CAN WE DO FOR HER??? COLD 8 DEGREES, HAVE HEAT LAMP, BOTTLE & NIPPLE BUT NO EXPERIENCE MILKING. DONT KNOW IF MOTHER WILL TOLERATE.
Nancy, the heat lamp is a very good thing – she’ll need to stay warm. Often with twins if there are boys, the girls will be born deficient… If mom shows no interest & won’t let you put her up to nurse, you’ll have to bottle feed. However, you mustn’t get your hopes up high as she may not survive. When mom refuses a baby it’s often because she knows this one will not make it for reasons that through nature’s mysteries, she understands and we don’t. If you can get the little to at least suckle the colostrum, that would help a bit. Afterward I would put her on whole cow milk (the powdered stuff isn’t very good for them). You might try bringing her back to mom every so often – mom might suddenly accept her. Watch for signs of aggressiveness, if she tries to butt the baby away then the responsibility of the little one will be yours.
Not sure about the legs… it might just be that they were bent wrong in utero. They may turn out fine later on. At this point your biggest concern is getting her to drink & keeping her warm.
Good luck & keep me posted.
THANKS FOR INFO. SHE IS STILL WITH US BUT NOT STRONG.WE GOT MILK REPLACER & SUPPLEMENT. MOM WILL ONLY ALLOW HER TO NURSE OCCASSIONALLY WHEN MALE IS ALREADY NURSING BUT WILL PUSH HER AWAY AFTER JUST A SHORT TIME.LEGS ARE SOME BETTER BUT STILL NOT QUITE RIGHT. SO CUTE YOU CANT HELP BUT FALL FOR THEM.
Well, 4 days after I posted, our doe gave birth to twin doelings!! – both are healthy and doing great!. The birth went really quick and there were no complications other then she has reddish thick discharge for a week now so I called the vet and they gave me three shots of antibiotics to give her – one a day for three days and after the third dose, she seems to be drying up – is this kind of discharge normal when they kid?. She didn’t have this with her first kid.
I have two more does due to kid. I brought the one doe as she is starting to develop a good size bag and her vulva is a little swollen. She lost her first baby due to malposition so I am hoping this time it goes smoothly!
Congrats Danielle – both does… awesome! The discharge is normal… I hate it when does kid in the heat of summer.. then you have to worry about flies & infection. I’ve never had to give antibiotics for it. Be easy with those – it can upset her rumination. The discharge can go on for about 10 days.. totally normal. Your other doe should be fine – usually if there’s going to be difficulties, it will be with the first kid. Good luck!
Hey, I’m buying some goats from a friend of mine who let her goats wander off to kid (that hasn’t been working out so good due to an increase in the wolf population). I’m planning on fencing my goats in, and I’m planning on building a kidding shelter for my does. The does I’m planning on buying are fair sized, big enough to drag my neighbor around.
I’d like to know how much space I should give them to move about durring kidding. Also, do you have any suggestions on how to keep sneaky goats from escaping? I’ve spent the morning chasing my neighbor’s billy goat out of my shop.There’s a reason our neighbors call him “Runaway Jay”.
I figured that I might as well do my homework now. I meant to earlier, but with the holidays and the usual madness that goes with them, it kinda got lost in the madness.
My goats are restricted to the pasture adjacent to the barn area during kidding time. They usually kid in or around the barn area. However, if I leave them access to their field, they’ve sometimes chosen to kid anywhere… I have a pregnant goat in the morning and she’ll come back in the afternoon with kids. My problem is that I have hilly land that rolls into 2 large ponds. One year I retrieved 3 newborn kids from a pond. So now, about 2 weeks before they’re due, they’re in “lock-up”. The important thing is to keep the buck in a separate area. Other nannies usually don’t pay attention to birthing but bucks can get brutal.
I’ve never had a goat escape. All my pastures are fenced with 4″ square goat fencing and an electric wire runs on top to keep stray dogs and coyotes out. Also, it’s been my experience that hungry goats will try to escape to greener pastures. Mine are so well fed, I doubt they even think of going elsewhere!
Good luck!
Hi Christine, I have had my pygmies for a little over a year and unfortunately my buck jumped his fence and got in with my does back in the fall. I had hoped we got lucky and he wasn’t in there long enough to do anything, but I was wrong. Needless to say we have raised the height of the fence and no more problems with him escaping. Anyway, one of my does had a baby in May 2009 and now it’s January and she gave us a little surprise last night. She had a little buckling that we found during their evening feeding and he was pretty fresh at that time. So, we dried off baby and kept him warm and although he is tiny, he is doing very well. I had the suspicion that mom had another baby in there so I stayed with her for a long time, but nothing happened and so I began to doubt myself and figured everything must be fine and I left her and baby in their own stall and doing well. I came to check on mom again about an hour later and nothing had changed so we went to bed. By morning there was another baby, a female, but unfortunately that baby didn’t make it. The first baby still seems to be thriving and feeding well and mom seems okay. The only unusual thing I am noticing is that she still has a lot of “stuff” coming from her vagina today. This isn’t just drippy mucousy discharge like I have seen in the past from my other goats. It is more like the remnants of a sack and placenta. Should I try to gently remove it myself or assister her in doing so or do you think she will pass it on her own? Do you think she may still have another one in there? She seems tired, but otherwise good and is allowing the baby to nurse and everything. Any advice? Is this something you have seen before?
Annette, Congrats on the little one.. too bad about the little girl. As I’ve mentioned previously, when twins/triplets involve bucks, they usually have a better chance of survival than the does.
I’m sure what she’s passing is just normal afterbirth. You shouldn’t pull on it put you can wipe it off. You can also let it dry then comb it off. It bothers us much more than it bothers her. Make sure to give her sweetened water and/or sweet feed to help give her energy & rebuild her electrolytes. Good luck and enjoy!
we have a mixed boer goat due anytime to kid she is a first times her rectum is expelled everytime she has a bowel movement the it goes back in what can we do
Donna… I’ve never heard of such a thing happening before birth. I have a feeling when she starts pushing to give birth, this rectum thing could become a problem. I recommend you call a vet for their take on this. Make sure it’s a vet that’s familiar with goats. I’ve done some online research for you and couldn’t find anything on this. Sorry I couldn’t be more help!
Greetings,
I would like to say that I really have enjoyed reading and learning from your site. Thanks so much for putting this together to allow us to gain this knowledge. Now just like a lot of others I to have a question for you. It appears a doe that we have is pregnant and very close. She has really dropped a large bag in the past two weeks. Other signs are starting to show, but one question that I have is not been covered in anything that I have read at this point. Our does appears to continue to have a solid bowel movement every few minutes. Is this a sign or just a doe that has been holding it all in. We have never seen any of our animals poo so much within a hour.
Brenda,
Thank you for your kind words! Goats do poop a lot but I really don’t pay attention to quantity unless it is of abnormal texture… ( ex. diarrhea or clumps instead of pearls). When you say solid, do you mean like dog poop or just regular goat pearls? If her poop is clumped together like dog poop, that’s not normal but it doesn’t have to do with giving birth. It would signify that something is wrong with her digestive system. Maybe she’s getting too much grain & not enough roughage? Maybe she’s not drinking enough water? I doubt it’s anything to worry about. Remember, goats are always either chewing food or their cud and they’re constantly having bowel movements.. it just may be that this is the first time you’ve really noticed because of the circumstances. Be sure to keep the kid warm as soon as it comes out & to begin imprinting if you want a super friendly little goat!
Hi Christine,
We were driving by this pastureband I say a yearling that was in the closed area with a buck and 4 other goats. I bought her just so I can rescue her from this owner.(the rest of them is not his they are using his servises as a babysitter) Her hoofs are so bad and she is so wild. I can’t for the love of me trim her hoofs. She is pregnant and she is stretching her back a lot. She has very small teats and big udder. Looks like she should go into labor any time. When I bought her the “owner” said she is due any day. Its been 1 week. Her udder is full, but I can’t see her vulva or can’t come near her because she is so wild. I really don’t know what to do know with her, I tried everything grains, craham crackers, she can’t get used to people. She is very nice to the other goats though. I would like to milk her after she gives birth and bottle feed babies like I have done this with all my goats, but now it is nearly impossible. Please advise how to make her be more friendly towards people. Thank you
Galina
Galina, what a nice thing you did! Some goats never get tame. I have a few that will not come anywhere near me & I’ve had them a few years. Others that came here wild were my best friends after a few days. I think it has to do with how humans treated them in the past. Sometimes their lives have been so hard that they never learn to trust. However, you can try. I would keep her in a small pen where she can’t really run away from you. Don’t chase her but talk to her and let her see you be the “food” person. Use a low, gentle tone and slow movements. Don’t worry about her hooves right now – wait till she’s given birth. You don’t need to stress her out right now. When the kid comes, be sure to imprint from birth if you can. If you’re not there when kiddo arrives, that’s okay – just pick it up and hold it as much as possible. The kid will take its queue from mom & will be as wild as she is if you don’t intervene. If you have a milking stanchion, only feed her there – she’ll understand that very quickly. My “sure” sign of imminent birth is a very shiny & tight bag.. her teats will develop shortly…Wish I could help more!
Thank you so much for your advises about the hooves. I will wait until she gives birth. I don’t think I can trim the hooves in one setting anyway they look like elfs shoes. Again thanks
Galina
Good idea! Please let me know what happens!
I got a buck pygmy for my birthday in Sept. I have 3 girl pygmies. They all are together all day everyday in the pasture. But he is still trying to breed 2 of the girls. One of the girls I have never seen him interested in. Does his interest mean they are not pregnant? And what do you think about the girl he isn’t interested in ever? Do you think maybe she is too old? I don’t know the ages of any of them as we got all from an auction to keep as pets so didn’t get to ask any questions.
Tessa,
Normally little bucks are always interested – whether the doe is or not! However, she will only let him mount her if she is not pregnant. He may try to but if she’s pregnant, she will not let him breed. As long as she lets him breed her, its pretty safe to say she isn’t pregnant at that time. Little billies will try to breed as early as 8 weeks (even earlier), but reproduction usually doesn’t work until they’re about 4 months old. As for the one that he doesn’t show interest in, that’s unusual unless he’s showed interest in the past & she hurt him… he’ll remember that & he’ll stay clear of her. Or, she may be pregnant. Let’s say he bred her at the end of September (and you didn’t see it), she would be due to kid at the end of February. Do your does show any signs of pregnancy? Bulging sides? If they bred in September, they’d be showing well by now. Of course, they may not have gotten pregnant right away. Look for the large, shiny milk bag for a sure sign.. this happens a day or so before birthing. An old goat would have very long horns (they never stop growing) and her teeth would be very worn. Hope this helps!
Thanks! Two of them are definitely bigger. I will look at their milk bags tonight! I really hope they are pregnant. Thanks so much for the info!
Tessa if you look at them from the top, you’ll see their sides popping… now bear in mind that the left side is the “rumen”.. the baby(ies) will be on the right side and underbelly & of course they push against the left side. If you want to feel movement, apply pressure on the right side and towards the under part. Stay in touch!
Hi Christine,
We have a healthy baby boy Born on Feb 12th @ 1:00pm. The doe is giving about 600ml and it is not enough for the baby to eat. I give him about 8 oz on Goat Milk Replacer Formula that I got form Hoeger Supply. Is that normal that she gives so little? I understand she is a first time freshening and she is 1 year old, but I had same age freshiners started with at least 1 litter a day. I know I have to count in Pounds but for now I have a measuring cup because its not even worth it to messure by pounds. Is something wrong with her? I feed her grains twice a day and alfalfa. Is she just a bad milker? I want to keep Black Knight for a breeder, and I want him to eat well and grow fast and possibly not a formula. Please advice.
Galina congrats!
What makes you think she’s not giving enough milk? Normally kids will nurse several times a day but will only get a few gulps. Unless your kid is showing signs of severe hunger, I wouldn’t give him anything else. Especially Goat Milk Replacer… If you have to supplement, use whole cow milk… much healthier for goats. Also, when we bottle feed, because of human time constraints, we tend to let them drink as much as they want in a single serving (6 to 8 ounces sometimes!). Goat moms never do that. As I said, unless he is weak and appears to be starving, let him get what he can from mom. Also, bucks are very demanding on their moms when it comes to milk… moms know when their kid has had enough. Make sure she gets enough quality roughage – as much as she wants… believe it or not, that’s much more important than grain. Black Knight will start nibbling on hay within a week but not if his belly is full from being bottle fed. Unless you have a sick doe, nature will take care of itself… please keep me posted!
hi christine we got a doe and buck the doe was about 6 months old this was in sept last year we are pretty sure she is pregnant but unsure how far along. her belly has gotten really big and today for the first time today i could see one of her nipples but no utter i dont know what kind she is they are our first its really cold here in nashville and i dont know what to do i have a place to put her in the barn i just dont know if its time i could use your help
Hello Tina.. you’re not too far from me.. I’m just west of Knoxville so I know exactly what kind of weather you’re experiencing. If you can put her in a pen out of the bad weather, that would help. Goats are not always smart about giving birth… she can choose to have it out in a snowbank or or out in the rain & sleek. If we assume she was bred at the beginning of September, she can be ready any day now. Since you don’t know the date, you need to pay attention to the signs… the most obvious is her “bag”. Just before birthing, this bag (udder), will look stretched and be very shiny. If you can “milk” her, she’ll have milk a few days ahead of birthing. With this cold the biggest risk is a baby getting the “chills” they are soaking wet when they are born & if they get cold before mom dries them off, it can die very quickly. If you can set up a heat lamp in the area that you’ve designated for her, that would help also. Just watch the signs as indicated in my post. Good luck & stay in touch!
Ok – I too am a first timer. We have our buck and 3 does all living together – same pastuer, same barn, same 12×12 stall at night. I have heard rumored that the buck will kill the infants – is this true? He has been such a joy but I have noticed that he is getting more aggressive lately. All three does are getting ready to kid. I am a little worried…
What is your experience, your thoughts and suggestions…
Linda, we’ve all been first timers! Don’t worry about it – you’ll learn quickly! Personally, I keep my buck away from the girls about 6 weeks after he’s bred them all. Several reasons… 1) bucks are always “horny” and will become very annoying to the complacent doe that just want to chew her cud and concentrate on their growing kids in her belly. 2) bucks are usually stinky and will make your girls stinky… 3) he may act aggressively and butt your girls in their bellies and could cause miscarriages (by accident of course, he doesn’t mean to harm them). 4) He can try to kill the babies – especially the little baby bucks 5) If you’re not around at birthing, once the doe is done kidding, he’ll be right on her breeding immediately. Did I mention these guys are one track minded? Of course you may have the laid back buck that doesn’t give a hoot & will never bother the girls.. but then again, do you want to take a chance? If you don’t have more room for him, you can put a collar on him and keep him “tethered”.. he’ll get used to it quickly and your girls will stay out of his range. Good luck & keep me posted!
Thank you for the info.
I don’t want the risk but he is our only boy and don’t want him to be lonely. Guess we will consider keeping a wether for him to play around with. Now is as good as time as any to split the pastures…
He’ll be fine & wethers are easy & cheap to find. You’ll find that wethers make the best of pets.. better than the does! They’re much more affectionate & their minds are not on breeding or birthing! Up until last week, I had my 3 billies all sharing the same pasture – they had their pecking order established and all was well… and stinky!
Dear Christine, our girls are getting real close to giving birth. Our oldest doe is being kind of aggressive to others and is mounting them. Is this normal?
Hi Lisa… what she’s doing is normal.. she’s establishing her position on the “totem pole”… I’ve had most of my goats give birth among the herd & I’ve never had a problem unless there’s a billy goat around. As long as the top goat doesn’t chase the others (not allowing them quiet to give birth), I wouldn’t worry about it. Good luck & have fun!
Hi Christine,
Just an update.
Baby Boy died today. We took him to vet because he was not eating well. Vet gave him some milk through the tube straight to stomach and a shot of penicilin, half hour later he was dead. I gues like you said “nature will decide.” I have triplets to be born on March 26th. It’s kind of a chilli weather still in the NW, Should I take them home or leave them with their mother? I had to take the boy inside because his temp was 96. Thank you
Talk to you later.
Galina
Ah Galina, I’m so sorry! I’ve never taken any goats inside.. if mom’s been out all along, everyone will adapt however, I do keep a red heat lamp in their pen & I use hay bales to make their pens smaller… the bales hold the heat in and prevent the silly goats from going to lay out where it’s cold. Sometimes they don’t figure out to come in from the cold,. we have to think for them. By March 26th the weather may be warmer! Good luck & stay in touch!
Christine, first of all I have enjoyed reading your blog and advice and have found it very informitive. As far as my question, I have a two year old Nubian doe past due to have her babies. She had a single buck last year all on her own with no problems. This year I know exactly when she was bred and she completed 150 days on February 17th. She is huge, streching a lot, her vulva is very swollen but has no discharge. Her flanks have hollowed out, her tail head is raised and she has a udder that lookes like she is diffinantly producing milk but it is not “shiny” yet. She has been like this for the last week and a half. The only chage is her vulva getting larger. She is not showing any distress just looking a little uncomfortable. I am up all hours of the nights checking on her saying “I think tonight is the night” I live in Nevada and we have been having temps at night that get down to 15 deg. I don’t want to wake up in the morning to frozen babies. We have her in a covered pen alone with straw bedding and a heat lamp. I think that she does not want this special treatment to end so she is never going to have her baby!LOL!! My question is how long is too long to wait? I don’t want to lose her. We lost a doe last month to milk fever and I don’t want to lose Cinnamon also! Thank you Jessica
Jessica, thank you for the kind words. I know how anxious you must feel! Have you tried just removing the lamp? Leave her in a confined area but remove the lamp – she may find it invasive. She may need to move around a bit more if her pen is real small. I’d put the lamp back on before bed, just to be safe. I think all of my goats (20 some), have always birthed during the day. Of course these are Pygmys and maybe that’s just something with them but I don’t think so. Horses will birth between midnight & dawn but not goats. Usually. I just think that as long as she’s not in any form of distress, she should be fine. Do you have a vet handy or someone (maybe yourself), that can “jump” in if need be? You may want to line someone up.. just in case. I wish I could be more helpful! Please keep me posted.
I need some help.
We got home last night to find our female with a baby stuck inside her. The babys head was out but the rest of it was stuck inside her. My husband and I removed the baby. It was dead when we found it. The moma is still bleeding and has a cord like thing hanging out of her. Should I worry about this? This is our first experince with having babies.
also the mother is up, walking and eating.
Christine, Cinnamons pen is quite large it is a one of those large box trailers that used fit on a flat bed truck maybe like 5X10 feet and she is the only one in it. I was thinking maybe part of the problem is she is a very nervose goat and with all our checking she can’t relax and have the kid. Last night she had a new sign and that was she was being very curious and lippy. When I went to leave she followed me, which she never does so I shined the flashlight at her to see what was going on and she started lipping it and flapping her tounge like a buck does to a doe. I guess I will just wait and see when she delivers. I think that I like it better when I don’t know excactly when she is due so I don’t worry as much just get suprised by a baby. So if I am understanding your answer only use the heat light at night and don’t worry how long as long as her water has not broke or she is not showing signs of destress. As far a the issue with a vet we do not have one in our town and the nerest town that has one is 90 miles away. My husband and I are both ready, willing and able to “go in” if nessasary. My husband has done that sucessfully twice before. Once before with my doe Negrita that died last month and once with a neighbors doe that had triplets. He had to go in for all of the triplets because to first one was stuck and the doe had exausted herself before they asked my husband for help and she was done working she was just laying there crying. In this small community we all learn to help each other because there is not much outside help available. Thanks for your prompt answer and I will let you know how it turns our with her. If you have any other advice please let me know.
Christine,
This never happened to me before. My Salish is due on March 26th this is her 4th time, she usually has triplets. I know I saw her breed. The thing is that I bred her a month before, and she was crazy in heat again a month later so I let her to the buck(she was bred again) I then counted her due date since the 2 breeding. She now is showing signs of labor like: vulva is swolen, she has milk in her udder and it’s dripping. She is huge and I think she is going to have babies soon. Can this happen with the milk coming in so soon or she is really due sooner then I though.
Thank you for all the time you are spending on the computer answering our questions. God will reward you for that.
God bless you
Galina
Christine,
Everythings fine here. Trixie is about ready, the sun is shining and we are ready for some babies! This will be her second time! Thank you for your time and energy. The information is outstanding. Yahoo for spring!
Bless you and yours,
Terri
Terri, thank you for the kind words! Blessings to you and your family also! Be sure to post pictures on my Facebook fan page!
Christine,
HELP!!! I have red all of your info and posts on kidding, and I think everyone elses as well. My husband and I have gitten into meat goats and our doe is due to kid soon but we do not know her due date. I saw that you do not know yours as well but here lies the problem. Our doe has been nesting for a week now, ligaments gone, belly dropped, prominant hip bones, udder as big as my head. I we worry something is wrong the vet says no and we will know if something is wrong and just be patient because we do not know the due date. I have affectionatly dubbed her the eternally preganant goat, do you have any advice.
I had a few of those myself in the past! As long as mom doesn’t appear distressed (mom as in goat, not you!), you have nothing to worry. From my experience, the only “sure” sign is very shiny milk bag with sometimes drips… however, they don’t all show this way. You’ll come to the pen at some point & SURPRISE!!! Don’t sweat it, she obviously isn’t! Good luck & keep me posted!
Christine, I was just updating you on Cinnamon. She delivered her triplets on Wed. the 3rd. She had one tiny doe kid my 4 year old daughter name her Shirley Durley. Two bucks one of the bucks is huge, around twice the size of the other babies, his named Goliath and the other one is tiny his name is Walker. We had to pull all of them their legs were all tangled up and the big buck Goliath was very stuck. While my husband was pulling the baby I had to pull the doe because he had to pull so hard it was pulling her across the ground. We are having a problem with the little doe and buck having weak legs. The doe still has not walked. Just today I was able to get her to stand but was not able to walk yet. I am holding her up to nurse from the mom she sucks with alot of help and I was having a hard time getting the mom to stay still long enough. So Shirley I tried to bottle feed her but with her being so weak it kept getting up her nose so last night we started to tube feed her. She seems to be a lot stronger so hopfully soon we will be able to get her to nurse off the mom. Cinnamon did not reject any of the babies she loves them all and is very protective of them all. So I left Shirley in with her mom and brothers and just give her milk four times a day. The little buck is a little better he is able to eat off the mom without assistance and is walking hince his name Walker. All of the babies are diffrent colors. Shirley is red with black spots and a white blaze on her face and white ears with black poke-a-dots. Goliath is a orange red color with a white star on his head. Walker is typical Nubian black and red. Their dad is a Lamancha Alpine cross. Thanks again for all your help and God Bless.
Jessica, thank you so much for filling me in. Very few readers take the time to follow up. I really appreciate it! Please take the time to read this article.. you’ll find it very helpful regarding your little ones. Keep everyone warm & make sure mom gets a good supplement like Goat Drench… something that’s a must in your goat cabinet. Please post pictures on my Facebook page.. all the fans would love it. Take care & God Bless!
Here is a link to pictures of Cinnamon’s Babies if you would liketo see them. I also posted them on Facebook.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3789985&l=91bec1477a&id=637416934
Christine, You and I must both be drawn to the same arcticles because I read this one right after the babies were born searching for the way to help the little babies. Thankfully we did not have to do a lot of the stuff the article was suggesting. Though I am tube feeding the little girl and she is showing a lot of improvement. Today she was not only standing on her own but she was also trying to walk and was nursing from her mom with help, directing her in the right direction and holding the teat for her when she would start eating and doing it over again when she would loose it. I still tube feeding her after her attempts to eat from Cinnamon just to make sure she is getting enough. I am praying that she continues to get stronger and healthier. Thanks againg for all your help here is a link to a photo of Cinnamons babies and mine. I also posted it to youi Facebook wall.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3789985&l=91bec1477a&id=637416934
Oh my gosh.. they’re so adorable! Even the non furry ones!!! I love the idea of the little doggy sweaters! That’s great!
Jessica, the internet is a marvelous thing.. especially for answers to questions we are searching for. You did a great job with the little one – just make sure not to overfeed her as she will not feel the need to try to nurse if her belly is full. Keep me posted! I have just sent you a friend request also!
Thanks Christine, about the compliments on all my kids both the furry and non furry ones. LOL. The little girl it doing a lot better now she is able to get up on her own and eat when we hold her up to her moms side. She is also walking now a little drunken but she is walking, though most of the time she walkes backwards. I think that is how she figured out how to get her rear legs under her. Whe no longer use the sweaters on them as they are older now and seem to be controling their body heat better and they still have a heat light on when it is very cold and at night. My daughter is sad because she liked dressing the baby goats up. I am not tube feeding the girl anymore as it seems as long as we make sure she gets a chance to eat at least three times a day her belly is staying full. We use that time to do her physical therapy too. You know putting her legs straight under her and keeping them straight for at least 30 min. Wow…Who knew baby goats could be such work. Thanks again for all your help and advice.
Hey, I just got a pygmy female from a goat buyer, seller. He had no info on her but she is big (not large) but has a belly and she is lactating. He thinks she might have given birth recently but had no idea. Is there any way for me to know if she has already given birth? And if I’m supposed to milk her? It would be awesome if she’s still pregnant but I have a feeling she recently gave birth.
Oh….and another thing. When I got my pygmy female, she was in a barn with about 50 other goats. They were mating like crazy in there. If a pygmy just kidded, how soon after can she get pregnant again? Is it possible that with all the mating that she could be pregnant right after she gave birth?
KSO, you don’t have to milk her if you don’t want to but keep an eye on her bag… if she develops mastitis (hard knots), she’ll need to have hot towels and her udders massaged. Her kid may or may not have weaned gradually. Pregnancies are carried on the right side & under the belly – the rumen (which often makes goats appear pregnant), is on the left side. If she wasn’t weaned gradually, her appearance may lead you to think that she’s getting closer to kidding time (bags up and bag is shiny & tight), when in reality, it’s just a normal process because she’s not nursing.
To answer your second email, yes she can get pregnant within a few to 10 days right after kidding. Some breeders breed year round.. some for milking purposes, others because they don’t know any better. Personally, I like to give my girls some time off.
Good luck with your girl!
So if she’s not pregnant now, there’s a good chance it might have happened? She was in with 30 to 40 other goats and there was alot of mating going on.
If I do milk her could you drink her milk? Or would you wait a while because it’s questionable on where she actually came from.
If there was free breeding, she is definitely pregnant – you’ll just have to watch for signs of imminent birthing. Yes, you can drink her milk & it doesn’t matter who bred her for the quality of the milk. I don’t know much about milking but I do know that the milk must be immediately chilled (a friend of mine keeps the stainless steel milk jug in a large bowl of ice so the milk chills right away). Be sure to keep male goats away as their smell will be in the milk. If you milk her, I don’t know if she will produce colostrum just before birthing… the kids need that. Here’s an excellent site to learn how to but you’ll need to do a bit more research.
Ok. One more thing. I want to thank you for getting back to me and answering my questions. You have an awesome site and you’ve been very helpful!
Thanks,
Keith
Hi, I’m a first time goat breeder. I have ewes that Ive bred out, but never a goat. My goat is a first timer and she started leaking a white discharge from her vulva, but she shows no other signs, other than her loose ligaments around her tail-head. Her udder is hard and rounded, but is not shiny. She is a Nubian Boer cross. Shes very mellow and doesn’t seem to distressed or getting up and down frequently. Should I be concerned about her not seeming to be going into labor? Thanks
No problem Keith.. happy to help!
Amber, I’ve seen that with my goats too sometimes. I think it’s just normal vaginal fluids. However, if she starts to rub herself more than normal, she may have a fungal infection & that would itch. When goats are just about to give birth, they’ll expel a clear, sometimes threaded with blood, vaginal fluid. Don’t worry about your girl, she’ll do fine!
Hi. Quick question for you. This morning I went out to my barn and the new nanny I got seems to have a cold. Both nostrils had a little snot coming out. I wiped her nose and didn’t see anymore in her nose. Does this sound like just a cold? Is there anything I could do for her or just let it run it’s course?
Thanks…
It’s probably just a cold or symptoms of travel fever. Often farm animals when transported develop cold symptoms & are just in bad shape for a few days. This is one of the reasons isolating new coming animals. If it is a cold virus, chances are all of your goats will get it & that sucks. I’ve done that a few times & I have learned the hard way. No matter how good they look when you bring them home, give them at least 10 days alone. During that time, worm them, vaccinate them (if you do that), trim their hooves and just let them get to know you. Then if they develop something, you don’t have to treat your entire herd.
If it’s a cold, let it run it’s course. Don’t be quick to jump to penicillin shots or other meds. If she’s eating and appears otherwise normal, just let it be. The others may get it, that’s not going to kill them. Just carry a tissue & wipe runny noses & be sure to clean your hands between goats. I carry a small bottle of Germx stuff in my pockets for quick washes. If your goats stop eating, then it will be time to take a different course of action. Hope this helps!
So another words….I have 4 boys and goats are just adding to my kids….lol. 4 boys and 4 goats. That can make for alot of runny noses.
Dear Christine, oh my gosh!!!! What a wonderful experience i am having with all these little kids!!!!!! We have 10 lil’ girls and 12 lil’ boys. I am in HEAVEN!!!!!
Hahhaha…. yep, between Oct 2008 & Jan 2009, I went through 3 boxes of 200 Kleenex’s in the barn. I felt like a kindergarten teacher!
WOW!!! 12 little boys! Watch out for puberty! Be sure to have a neutering program prepared! Before you know it those little billys will have something else on their minds. Have funs.. kids are the best!
Christine,
We have four bred, pregnant Nigerian dwarf does. One of our does is due to kid March 23. She is a first time mom, but this will be the third time we have had kids born here. ( So far 2 bucklings. one 2 years ago and one last year ,sadly the one last year was dead when we got to the barn) Our goat Roxy is a triplet herself and we can defiently feel a baby lump when we touch her side. My question is, is it normal for her to always carry her tail raised, arched above her vulva? she has no discharge but her vagina is red and puffy. She still has her tail ligaments and is not nesting or anything. The other question is, is it normal for her only to be interested in her grain and not in her hay? she has bagged up but she has no shine to her udder. My last question is, is it okay to milk her before she has a baby, i have heard from other goat owners that they will try to get milk from their goats before they kid which they say tells you if they will have kids in the next 12 hours or so. wouldn’t that allow infection in? I never did this with my other goats but i was just wondering if you can/ should do this?
Thanks,
Megan
Megan, I would not milk her – she needs that for her kid(s). Here’s a link to an excellent site that describes birthing signals – you cannot go wrong with this info. Plenty of pictures also. This is one of my favorite goat sites however, should I have seen this site before buying my first goat, I would not have bought any. The information is valuable but in some instances very complicated. I keep things simple! In other words, take some and leave some!
Christine,
We are first time goat birthers. My wife and I purchased 4 young doelings to start a herd. A few months later purchased a buckling about the same age (all born around april 09). As in some of the earlier post our buck get thru our 5 strand electric fence. I didnt think any damage was done. But, now its March and we are expecting our first little one. He obviously only got 1 of our doelings. We noticed the white discharge saturday the13th, she also laid down and was pulling her nipples almost as if she were trying to nurse herself. Her bags have only dropped about 3 inches and I can still feel her tendons. I am worried about her being so young. Are there any other things to consider because of her age? Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Dapper Dan
I think she is doing what she is doing because she is young & not quite sure what’s going on. As I always say, if she’s eating & going on with her goat life, she is fine. However, I’d keep a close eye on her when she does start kidding. He water bag may protrude then break and then she’ll start getting antsy and pushing & laying down, etc. The baby should come within the hour, no more. If you notice she’s exhausted & still pushing and nothing is happening, you’ll have to “go in” and see what’s going on. See my reply to Megan with the link for the pictures of different birthing positions. Please keep me posted.
Christine:
First of all let me just say I think you are great! I truly love that you let a goat be a goat! I have a rescue and take in goats, sheep and pups. We have 12 adopted kids too so I guess you could say we are a baby rescue too!!!!
Last year we did a rescue of newborn goats. Most were oberhassle (sp?) but there were a few others in the herd of mixed origin. About six months later, all but three of the goats and one of the sheep from that rescue died of very large tapeworm. It was heartbreaking to say the least.
We were able to save a buck, 1 pygmie and 1 awesome ober doe. Our ober doe is very pregnant now! Can you believe this is our first delivery!!!!!! I was raised with horses and dogs and we very rarely interfered with birth. I have heard so much “stuff” about goats that I began to worry that we needed to do more to ensure a safe delivery for her.
We have a large paddock area for the buck, the sheep and both does. They are all very close and I fear that if I move her from there she will stress.
So, bottom line, should I just let nature be? Her milk is in and she is doing a lot of sunbathing! I didn’t know about the ligament but will check tomorrow. Milk came in full yesterday.
Hi Jodi! Thank you for the kind words! Wow, 12 real kids.. amazing! How do you do it? God Bless you for taking in children like that. There’s a special place in heaven for folks with big hearts like yours.
Having milk is a sign but she may have been milked in the past & that’s why it’s “in”.. check her ligaments & watch for water breakage. I’d leave her with her friends – sometimes isolating her will stress her. However, I would remove buddy boy. He may be aggressive towards the kid or even try to breed mom during & right after birthing. She doesn’t need that aggravation! If you always leave them together, your does (& kids), will eventually all have that stinky billy smell & he’ll breed constantly.
Good luck & keep me posted!
hey There Christine:
Well, went out today and her ligaments are completely gone. I saw some leakage this morning and the entire private area is swollen. She is biting at her side and swishing her tail. Hmmm, no expert here but I think we are almost ready!
I took Boy Toy out (he got back in three times before we finally secured every nook and cranny) and bedded her stall with clean straw. It has been gorgeous for two days but tomorrow and Sunday are supposed to be cold and maybe even snow! I know she will drop during the snow for sure!!! We have a heat lamp in there and it faces south so it gets lots of sun and no wind.
Her milk is really tight today and she won’t even let me near them. She is only a year + old so I know this is her first experience with “utters”.
Any southern words of wisdom?
Hey Jodi! I can imagine how excited you feel! That one little must be here by now? If not, just keep an eye on mama and make sure she doesn’t appear distressed. Just watch her and talk to her… keep me posted!
Hey Christine!
Well, it’s the first day of Spring and it started snowing early this morning. It is 12:30 now and there is a blizzard out there!
Checkers still has not dropped the baby (ies). Her milk is really full and the discharge is a bit heavier but still not clear and long. Could be anytime I guess- could be another day or so!!!
I will post pix once we have a go!
we have baby! It’s 2:45. I got this funny feeling about an hour ago, went out and just as I got there out popped a baby girl! Not sure if mom is done. She did a great job for a first timer. I dried off the baby (there’s 5 inches of snow here!), turned on the heat lamp and helped the little one to find an utter as mom cleaned her. I did the “hug” but I can’t tell if there is another. She is still yawning and stretching out her neck and head. I guess time will tell.
Pix later.
Where da heck are you?
Yay!!!!!! Anything cuter than a baby goat? Make sure she stays warm & cozy!
We are in MO. Right on Lake of the Ozarks. We have 7 inches now and no sign of stopping til tomorrow. We were tilling yesterday!
*Please Help* I raise Boar goats and in the past 3 monthe we have had 10 babys born dead . What can i do to pervent this. and why does it keep happening. The labor was normal with nothing going wrong untill they came out….This is just so sad. again please help….
Alma, that is very sad.. so heartbreaking! Have you read my reply to “Rose”… This being said, I would definitely have a necropsy performed. You can ask your vet if they can do it or call the nearest veterinary teaching university (runs about $50). Since so many are being born dead, I believe it could be either parasitic or the feed/hay/roughage you feed them is deficient of some very important ingredient. I wish I could provide more helpful insight but your death toll is too high (not to mention your $$ loss & heartbreak). Please do keep me posted!
Hey there….I was out with my goats today and I noticed one of them that I just got had bugs. They are almost the size of fleas. I checked the others and it’s only on the one. Almost like gnats. Any idea what they are and what’s the best way to get rid of them?
KSO, those have got to be lice. Goats don’t get fleas but they can occasionally get ticks (awesome yucky tick images here). Here’s an excellent article on Lice/louse. Last year I bought a couple of billies that were totally infested! Of course I didn’t let them anywhere near the other goats while I treated them. I made my own spray using Permectrin. I bought the concentrated formula & totally doused the boys. Wearing gloves I thoroughly wet my hands and spread the Permectrin on their faces. Once they are totally wet, I gently ruffled their fur to make sure the product went everywhere. I repeated the treatment 7 days later & again 7 days later. You can also use powder, follow the instructions on the label. Make sure to use in a ventilated area.
I love that I found this blog!! Back in Oct 09. I bought a 1yr old blk head boar goat who was bred. I then purchased pure breed 8 month old bn head boar doe and buck. My blk head, Aspen, had a little doeling ~Amber; who is the cutiest! Anyhow 5 months ago I had my bn head, Rosie, ultrasound with neg. results. Well, today I noticed she is bagging up. I checked for a baby heartbeat last month and then today but, I don’t hear one. I’m checking on the right side, am I checking on the correct side? Another senerio ~ can she be bagging up because the hormones are in the air, since Aspen is a new mommy? And I have all my goats in one 20 x 20 pen till spring thaw, then they can go out in the 1 acre pasture. Is it safe to let now 3 week old Amber and her mommy out of thier kidding pen 24/7?
Hello Angela! Goat’s gestation is 146 to 155 days.. was she with a buck around the end of October ? Yes, you’re checking the correct side but kids tend to position under the belly as they’re ready to come out. I’ve never herd of a goat producing milk without a prior pregnancy. If her bag is simply swollen, she could be showing signs of heat… wish I could provide more input Angela! I’d put away the technology and let nature take its course. If she hasn’t been with a buck at all, she’s definitely not pregnant!
Christine,
FINALLY – It’s a girl… Single (we thought twins or triplets) birth and oh-boy is she big… I was at work and mama did great. I originally emailed you back mid February… The buck was having his way with the girls in September but we are not delivering until now… Guess the initial job was practice practice practice.
We purchased a wether for our buck and he is happier. Not sure if he should mount this new guy or just hang out but he is quieter and more calm.
The girls relaxed once we got the Buck out of their area. It was only Monday we split them up. Thursday was the first birth. We are anxiously awaiting mama number 2 and mama number 3 is about 3 weeks out. Your site has been great and I want to thank you for providing calm, good information. I was really nervous being a first time breeder and some of the horror stories at least prepared me for what could happen.
I will post some pictures once we have the entire group delivered… Right now just the one girl – she is tall, fat and furry. Her birth pictures look like she is at least 3 weeks old. IF compared to a human baby – she would be a 12lber
Linda D.
California
Linda, that’s wonderful news! Kid goats are so cute.. I can’t wait for mine to start “popping” mid-April! It’s great that you got Billy a friend, no goat should live alone! I’m happy to have been able to provide help! Please be sure to join my Facebook page if you haven’t already & post pictures! We’re all goat folks and we go gaga over kids!
Christine, it’s me again. I have a doe that delevered a male kid on Monday night in the middle of a freezing cold wind storm and of course since this was a first-timer mom she did not have him in the shelter. I did not realize she was close to delevering and did not notice any of her signs, so she suprised me. We got to the baby while it was still wet and helped her finish drying him off but he was very cold. I brought him inside and rewarmed him by giving him a warm soak in the tub and then dryed him off by the woodstove using a towel. I tryed giving him back to his mom after he was good and warm but she was not being attentive to him. She did not nessasarly reject him just I think that she really did not know what to do with him and to be honest I was conserned leaving him outside because he would not stand up and did not want to eat from her and I just could not see her babing him. He is still alive but he still has no sucking instinct. He has been walking for three days. He is five days old now and I have been tube feeding him her milk and he seems to be getting quite strong and cryes when he is hungry I try giving him a bottle everytime before I tube feed him but he is not interested in the bottle or nursing from the mom at all. I don’t want to fight him to take the bottle because I am afraid that he will asparate the milk in his lungs. Is there anything else I can do or am I going to be stuck tube feeding him until he is weaned? Help I am tired of tube feeding
PS I was on your blog at the begining of March asking about my Goat Cinnamon who had delevered triplets.
Thanks again
Jessica, that’s a bummer.. bottle feeding is bad enough but tube feeding really sucks. As much as this is going to hurt, let him go a little hungry… I think he may have you well trained
Offer him the bottle and make sure you offer it in a way that he has to bend his neck in an awkward upwards position – that way the milk will go in the right “pipe”. Have you tried a couple of different nipples? A few years ago I bought 3 or 4 different ones for my Annabelle & she only liked the one I would have least expected her to use. Sometimes just the finger from a rubber glove. Have you tried with mom again? If you can milk her to get the milk flowing and then get junior right in there. It may be that while you were taking care of him, she just forgot about giving birth and has no clue who this human smelling little sucker is. Goats are weird like that… Let him go a little hungry before you fall back on the tube. Use ear plugs… 
Good luck & remember, he’ll eventually grow up!… Another solution is to put him up for sale. Sounds cruel but there are ladies out there that love to raise little goats like that.
How is Cinnamon?
I am not sure if I will be able to suffer with this little baby his name is Plex. By suffer I mean just letting him get good and hungry. Today I was trying again with the bottle and I was scratching him neck while I had the bottle in his mouth to incourage him to suck and I noticed he has two large knots on his neck. They are about the size of large marbles side by side in his throt. I had also noticed he was drooling. His nose would be wet half way up his face and I thought it was because of tubing him but now I am thinking that the knots in his neck may be restricting his breathing causing him to drool and ultimitly not suck. So I guess we will just have to wait and see what happens meanwhile doing the best I can to keep him alive. If you have anyother advise please let me know.
Cinnamon is doing great the happy mother of three. The babies legs all straightened out and are healthy and happy. We are penning up the babies away from her at night and milking her in the morning and then returning her babies to her for the day. We have to suppliment one of the babies with a bottle twice a day because her two big brothers are pigs and don’t let her eat very much from the Cinnamon but they are all three still with Cinnamon during the day. We use the milk for our consumtion and to feed a drop calf we have. This morning another one of our goats Valentine delevered two healthy babies a girl and a boy. My daughter named them Max and Ruby after one of the cartoons on Nickjr chanel.
I will keep you posted on how they are all faring. Thanks again
Jessica, here’s some good information I found for you detailing 3 different possibilities… Although I hope this helps I’m sure you’re aware that sometimes the best solution is simply to “cull” certain goats. Before you do anything, maybe you can have a vet test those lumps. Besides the text below, here’s an excellent article on the subject of CL. Good luck & keep me posted!
1. Abscess
This is a common problem in goats in many areas of the country. Abscesses are caused by the bacteria Coryne-bacterium psudotuberculosis. They appear around the head and on the neck most commonly. The disease is spread from infected animals and from the environment through small punctures in the skin caused by sharp (even pinpoint) objects and vegetation. If abscess do occur on your goat, consult your veterinarian for recommended treatment. If the abscess should break open, clean thoroughly with iodine, flush daily, and keep the infected goat away from others. Keep flies away from the abscess site with a good fly-repellent spray.
2. Wattle Cyst Abscesses
Wattle Cyst Abscesses occasionally occur at the base of one or more wattles or at the site where a wattle was surgically removed. Though normally present at birth, wattle cysts may not be noticeable until the goat grows. Wattle cysts contain a clear liquid which can be thick or thin, and the site may abcess when the liquid is aspirated (removed with a needle and syringe). Other than being confused with CL, wattle cysts are harmless.
3. Caseous Lymphadenitis (CL)
Caseous Lymphadenitis (CL) is the most common cause of abscesses in goats. Goats with knots under their ears, on their flanks, or about their chests have a huge probability of being infected with the bacterium which causes CL abscesses. Recurring (chronic) lymph node abscesses in goats are caused by the organism corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. These abscesses can be both external and internal. While the bacteria is highly contagious and spreads through a herd rapidly, the knots (which appear at lymph-gland sites) can be slow to develop, sometimes taking months or years to become visible. No goat breed and no geographic area is exempt from goats being able to ontract this disease. Females contract CL at about the same percentage rate as do males. Wethers display a lower incidence of the disease, perhaps because they are generally terminal animals. The high infection rate in older animals confirms that the organism can be acquired at any time and that exposure increases with age. Caseous Lymphadenitis in goats is a world-wide problem which continues to baffle scientists striving to find either a prevention or a cure . . . neither of which currently exists. Infection occurs through wounds caused by head butting, punctures, and shearing, by ingestion, and even occasionally via inhalation. Internal abscesses can cause major health problems. The disease can affect the lungs, liver, and kidneys; respiration may become rapid and difficult, and infertility can result from scrotal abscesses in males. Udder abscesses in females can seriously deplete milk production. External abscesses are most common under the ears in the head and neck region of the goat’s body, while internal abscesses appear most often in the lungs. In decreasing percentages of frequency, external abscesses are found under the ear, on the shoulder, on the flank, and in the udder/scrotum areas.
All abscesses on goats are not necessarily CL abscesses. The bacterium actinomyces pyogenes also produces a fast-growing nodule, but it contains a smelly, greenish pus. A simple and inexpensive test can be done on blood samples or pus (exudate) to determine the bacterium causing the abscess. Most nodules, as high as 90% or more are CL abscesses.
Caseous Lymphadenitis is extremely resistant to antibiotic therapy because the thick caseous pus is contained in a tough fibrous capsule which antibiotics cannot penetrate. The abscesses usually develop slowly and contain a cheesy, dryish, white pus about the consistency of toothpaste. Lab testing on blood samples is the only diagnostic tool currently available to determine if a goat without a visible abscess is infected, and tests on goats under six months of age are very unreliable. Active, runny, open abscesses are most accurately testable. Older lesions don’t shed enough of the bacterium to be readily detectable. The incidence of “false negatives” is high, particularly in goats displaying no visible signs of abscesses.
To manage an outbreak of Caseous Lymphadenitis in a goat herd, create a “sick pen” dedicated solely to CL-infected goats; use it for nothing else. Immediately remove an infected animal from the herd and place it in isolation in the “sick pen.” NEVER let the abscess burst on its own and contaminate pen or pasture. When the abscess begins to feel soft or the hair starts coming off its center, prepare to open the abscess and remove the exudate. Humans can contract Caseous Lymphadenitis; a skin lesion exposed to the bacterium is an invitation to this highly-contagious organism. If you feel this condition best decribes your goats, please contact your veterinarian right away!
Contributed by
Sharon Hubbs, AHG
Certified Natural Health Consultant & Herbalist
Hello, if anyone has any advice please let me know. We had a pygmy give birth to a still born on Tuesday. Everything seemed fine with momma except being uncomfortable with her big udder. She is eating ok but laying down a lot. I called the vet to ask him a question about her udder not going down and he told me to take her temp. I did and it was normal. However, today she is laying down and pushing. She has already gave birth and passed her afterbirth Tuesday evening but is it normal to keep pushing again? She squats to pee and not much comes out either. Is this normal?
Tessa, if she’s squatting to pee and hardly anything comes out, I’d take her to a vet. Sounds like urinary infection. If she’s still pushing, she may have a kid that died inside in a bad position and cannot come out naturally. Take a look at these images and have someone hold her while you try palpitating with you hand (use KY jelly). If there’s a kid stuck there, you’ll feel it. It will take a few weeks before her udders go down.. you may try to milk her otherwise, let her dry on her own. Occasionally you should feel her bag to make sure she doesn’t have mastitis (hard knots in udder). Good luck & please keep me posted!
Thanks Christine, we’re taking her today to get checked out, I’ll let you know.
Mama #2 produced twins on Easter Sunday Morning.
To my surprise she delivered her second kid right on the closed door to the Goat Pen. When I heard some hollaring up a storm from the pen, I opened the door quickly, to have the poor little boy come tumbling out. He had just been delivered, and was not really with it. Scared me to death. Momma was tending to her screaming baby first born and did not seem much interested in the little guy. I was nervous but I went ahead and picked him up and returned him to inside the pen and it was then she started noticing him. I am so glad my scent did not deter her. It did take her a little bit to get with it. She is a little overwhelmed with two. I saw her in the back field yesterday alone – she had left the twins by the gate. They were OK – but her leaving them was unnerving – they were only 3+ days old.
Our first mama just had the one – but boy she is good… She keeps him close no matter what. If she goes into the field, she will wait for him and if he cannot make it back right away – she is right by his side – very patient… And never is very far from him. If something is not right – she calls him right away… A+ in mama skills.
Now just waiting on Mama #3 – she is getting huge – but I am hoping for just one baby. She is very petite, sweet and submissive. I really want her to have a good delivery.
Awesome! Molly had twins Easter afternoon also. One of the kids stays close to mom but the other is the little explorer & is always off somewhere. It drives Molly crazy! She’ll find Easter & stick around until they both settle down and then she’ll go and graze. When she comes back, she usually finds Lilly still where she left her but Easter is again off on her own and the whole charade starts again. I can tell the Easter will be the problem child
Don’t worry about your scent on kids… this will not deter mom from doing her job. If I’m around when the babies come, I’m all over them! You’ll notice that the kids will take small sips at a time but many times a day.. that’s totally normal. Some does are more motherly than others (I guess like humans).
Don’t forget to send pics & thanks for keeping me posted!
Christine
Christine, I had also read about the wattle cyst abcess also and was thinking that my be Plex’s problem. The knots are right at the base of his wattles. He is finally eatting from a bottle. I noticed that as I was tube feeding him on Tuesday night that he was moving his mouth like he was sucking so on Wed. morning when I fed him I tried the bottle and it works. In regards to culling the baby because it has issues we will be using him for a meat goat as soon as he is old enough. I am praying that we don’t have the same problems with the next years goats because then I will know it is fom the mom and her name is Daisy and my 3 year olds pet. I don’t think that he would handle us getting rid of her. Thanks for all your help.
Jessica
I’m glad he’s doing better… I understand about Daisy being a pet… I’m not a big “culling” fan myself!
i have a nigerian that is due this next couple of weeks. this will be my first attended birth in about 30 years. the first doe i bought was pg and didn’t know it until i had lost one in the cold. this girl must be carrying at least 3. i bought a video montior today but didn’t realize it didn’t have night vision. will it hurt to leave a low level light on at night to see what is going on or not?
if not will just the sound be enough of a warning, do you think?
The light won’t bother her as long as it’s low-light… I’m sure she’ll be fine – goats can be so unpredictable when it’s kidding time. Sometimes they want you to be there & other times they wait for you to take your 20 minute pee break to surprise you!
HI Christine,
Well we are still waiting on our Stormy to birth. We have got to be close. I can put my fingers completly around her tail head. Her bags are full, but no waxy shiny look. She has the plug in her nipples. Her sides appear to have sunken in as if the babies have dropped. We have her penned and are waiting patiently. Just keeping you posted. Thanks for the great site and all your help!!!!
I watched Noel most of all day yesterday… she was just stargazing, pawing, making throaty noises – left her at 10:15pm, water not broke. Returned at 12:15 & had 2 almost dried bucks. I think she was waiting for me to leave! Most of the time nature knows what it has to do… we humans worry too much! I’ve got 3 does that look like what you’re describing… yours and mine might be all done by the end of the day! Thanks for the update!
Hello Christine,
I have to ask an expert again. I have a 3 week old buck ADGA registered from the great milking breed line. I am bottle feeding him and I have noticed that for the past 3 days, he has been kind of choking on milk like he would drink 4 oz and then cough and then drink 4 oz and coughs again he totally eats 18oz 3 times a day(he is a big boy). No fever, happy, very playful, tail wigging, his brother who is smaller then him eats just fine ( brother is sold Iam keeping him only until this thursday). No milk is coming out of his nose, he is not coughing otherwise. His is shinny coat, happy looking Hercules. Please advise. I am sorry I am bothering you with this, but the last time a took my sick goat to the vet and spent $180.00 he died half hour later. I don’t trust the vets with goats anymore most of them don’t know what they are doing with goats anyway. Thank you. Oh forgot to mention I gave him probios 5 days ago to help the rumen start, I always do that on about 5th day of their lives.
Galina.
Galina, wow! 18 ounces of milk – 3 times/day… that’s humongous! When mom’s nurse, the kids suck very little at a time but make frequent pit stops. I doubt that baby goats nursing naturally get 18 ounces in a day! Is he with other goats to get the idea to nibble at hay & grass (that’s how they learn). My little one week old does have already starting investigating hay. I think what could be happening is that your little boy is aspirating milk in his lungs. When he suckles, his head should be bent back, like if he was kneeling by mom. He’s eating, playing, jumping.. he’s definitely not ill but my be a little over fed! How is his poop? Little pellets would be normal – they can be strung together like a necklace too. What fat little buggers they’re going to turn out to be!
Thank you Christine. He is pooping fine it’s not so dark like the other goats poop, but it’s normal. He came out second from his mama he weighted 12 lbs at birth. He is a big boy and that’s why I want to keep him. He is in with the 2 month old Bella who is weaned of mommy, so he nibbles at hay and alfalfa. He is not too fat he is just tall. He is almost the size of Bella at his 3 week old. So, you think I should reduce his milk intake? He is drinking water from the little bucket also. See his mom died at birth she had 4 in her (which is her ussual, she had 4 for the past 3 years, her first year she had twins)and 2 girls stuck inside her pelvic bones I tried everything. Then I called vet and they had to cut the babies in half to pull them out and she just never recoved from the surgery. She started bleeding very heavy from vagina but by the time vet arrived she bleed out. It was sad. Hercules was fed her colustrum for only one day then with the goat replacer after that. Thank you for you time and advised. God bless you
Galina
My gosh, Galina, that must have been horrible to have the vet do that to her! And then to have her die.. poor thing! Hercules sure carries his name well, doesn’t he? Try feeding him milk in the bucket.. that way it won’t be such a strain on you! Yes, I would certainly cut down on quantity! Love to help & God bless you also!
Hi Christine,
I have a due that is due, I would say, today. She has became very vocal and this morning I noticed her push a couple times. Her back arched up and then flattened. It is 1:10pm now and I have not noticed her push anymore. Her teats are slightly pointing out and as stated, she is very vocal today, especially when I walk off. She is up and down alot and moving around. Can you tell me when I can expect her to delivery?
Thanks
Robin
Hey Robin… I watched 2 goats do the same thing last night between 8:30 & 11:00 pm.. I checked them out at 3:00am.. nothing. This morning at 6, nothing.. tonight at 6:30, nothing. I think they just love keeping us on edge! As long as there are no distress signs, all is good. However if you’re lucky enough to be there when they break their water (you may not see it happen but you’ll find a large dark circle in the pen), then the pushing will really start and birth occurs within 5 to 10 minutes. Be patient, talk to her & pet her gently if you can. And sometimes they just wait until we’re gone…
Thanks Christine. I stayed with her all day. She never pushed again after the 2 times this mornig but stayed vocal all day until late this afternoon. Then she stopped, laid down and nothing since. I have been in the house for the past 2 hours so am fixing to go and check on her. I’ll be up every hour on the hour tonight watching her. Am suppose to go out of town this weekend but now can’t decide if I should or not……decisions, decisions……
I have a 5 year old nubian who gave birth to twins nearly 2 weeks ago. She developed mastitis and has not been able to feed the babies. I have tried milking her out several times a day and only get about 2 tablespoons of milk each time. I’ve tried massaging her every time I milk here. Is there anything I can do to cure the mastitis and to get her to supply enough milk for the babies? She will only let them nurse for maybe 10 seconds one time.
Hi Christine,
Still no baby yet. I have been with her all day. Earlier she was pushing, lying down, but standing on her knees, pawing at the ground, breathing heavily and many other signs that she was getting ready to deliver. BUT, nothing again. I was so worried about her that I called my vet. She wanted to come out and examine her and possibly give her a shot to induce labor. I didn’t want to do that quit yet but I have not seen the baby move since yesterday morning. Is that normal just before delivery? Should I have my vet. come out or should I wait? I hate to pay a big vet. bill if I’m just overly anxious.
Oh, by the way, will her water break even if some thing is wrong?
Robin, if the water breaks and nothing happens within the hour.. that would not be good… If this happens & she’s pushing for more than 1/2 hour, you’ll need to get in their & feel for the position of the kid & put him in the right direction…
Robin, I’d hate to say you’re overly anxious and then have something go wrong. Again I say, is she distressed? Does she look like she’s really suffering? You may want to lubricate your hand/fingers & feel inside If you feel something other than 2 hooves… Here’s a link to an excellent site with images that will be extremely helpful… It’s not as hard as it looks.. keep me posted & stop worrying! By the way, prayer helps too!
Jennifer, here’s an excellent link concerning mastitis I’ve also found this site very helpful. In the meantime, warm wet towels will soothe her. As far as nursing only 10 seconds, that’s usually enough but they nurse many times a day. My girls are all problem free & they rarely let the little ones nurse more than 10 – 15 seconds. Keep me posted!
Christine,
Had a gorgeous little boy this morning around 9am. He is just precious. One question. I have noticed that he will be standing and all of the sudden he will start twitching and jerking all over but mostly his legs. Is this normal? It last a few seconds and then stops.
Yep, absolutely normal! They’re ready to bounce around about an hour after birth – they’re just not coordinated enough! He’ll get better at it! Have fun & don’t be afraid to hold him even if he doesn’t appear to like it. They stay little for a very short time.. enjoy!.. By the way, see how you were worried for nuttin?
My goat is just a year old and is preagant should she be separated from the male before she gives birth??
Carla, yes absolutely remove the buck before she gives birth.. he/she should be removed as soon as she starts refusing him (months ago). If not, he will continue to pester her to breed. Once the kid(s) is born, he’ll try to breed her. He’ll try to breed her while she’s kidding. Give her at least 2 months before you put them back together. if she gives birth to a doe, make sure he has no access to her until she’s at least 10 months old.
Hey Crazy G L , I just stumbled on your site. I am awaiting, 4th day after white discharge , and tho i am tired of going out to check Candy Jewel she seems happy and healthy. this is her first breeding and I sure wish shed get on with it! Luv your sight and will surely return .Lots of good info . This is my third year with dairy goats tho we have had mixed breeds and pygmys , love milk cheese and soap and learning more every day Have a great day and may God bless
Hey Robin! Glad you enjoyed my site.. it’s hard to keep it up to date at this time of year.. we’re “popping” little baby goats every day here! This afternoon I was at the barn tending the llamas and saw one of my littlest goats licking a very wet little black & white goat – they were both out in the rain but it wasn’t raining hard enough for the little one to be that wet. I thought my little Jethro had maybe fallen in a water bucket but then, why was Peewee licking him – she’s not his mom! Duh! Peewee just popped him right there! I didn’t even thing she was pregnant. She wasn’t even bagged up! That just shows you, you just never know… Good luck with Candy Jewel & don’t despair! Keep us posted & be sure to join my Facebook page! May God bless you also!
Thanks for the reply Christine back on March 25th. Finally we had twins tonight! – The little bucko, Micki, we haven named him has some problems. His back leg hyper-extends. So when he stands up the leg goes forward at the knee and buckles. What can I do – is there anything I should do? Mom is moving forward to that he can nurse – she knows something is up.
Sounds like one of 2 things…
One of the most common problems in weak kids is that there will be weakness in the joints and tendons of the legs. This will cause it to walk either on the front of the knuckes or on the back part of the lower leg (pastern). This condition may be hereditary and you should probably make note of which kids are affected so that this is taken to consideration when breeding plans are made.
This problem is easily taken care of by applying splints to the affected joints. Tongue depressors or Popsicle sticks make excellent splints for the kids. Wrap the leg with Vetrap® first, then tape on the splint using black electrician’s tape or some similar strong tape. We usually put the splints on the front of the leg. Do not get it too tight so as to restrict the circulation and tape it high enough that the splint cannot pull loose from the leg. Always put the splint all the way to the bottom of the foot and secure it firmly there with the tape.
Keep an eye on this kid & remove every other day or so to check his progress. Make sure it’s still dry & not too tight. Check for skin irritations from the splint. You can get tongue depressors from your pharmacist.
Or, it can be Selenium Deficiency (aka White Muscle Disease). This can cause weak rear legs in newborn and young kids and can also keep the kid from swallowing. Walking on his pasterns can also be a sign of selenium deficiency. Call your county extension service agent or feed company nutritionist to find out if you are in a selenium-deficient area. They will know. Your vet may agree to sell you prescription BoSe (has vitamin E). Dosage rate for newborns & kids is 1/2 cc given IM. Dosage for adult does is 2-1/2 cc’s, also given IM. Do not use MuSe – it is too strong.
Bear in mind that I’m not a vet, this is just stuff I’ve learned through experience and researching other goat sites. Good luck & enjoy your babies!
Thanks for the info! It seems I have more issues – Mama keeps laying down and is still pushing as of this morning. I don’t think she has passed the birthing yet, there is still stuff haning out. If she has a 3rd still inside – how do I know? Thanks!
Usually the afterbirth comes after all the kids have passed. The pushing might just be her trying to expulse the afterbirth. However, I recently received a post of a goat being still born five days after the first one came out. Highly unusual. You shouldn’t pull on it or hang weights as some might recommend. The baby nursing will initiate contractions that may help. Keep an eye on her temperature 101.5 to 103 is normal, therefore no infection. She may eat it too so don’t be surprised if you don’t find anything.
The little afterbirth she did expell- she didn’t pay any attention to eat it. She just seems really tired this morning. I had to get her up so that her babies could eat and they are getting milk from her. Well – I’m going to take it one day at a time. Since I work an hour from home – I won’t be checking on her till after 5 this evening. I will keep you posted. I love this site!
Sometimes prayers help too! I’m glad you enjoy my site!
I have just bought a pregnant doe at an Auction on Saturday and was told that her due date is any day. When she was in the ring at the auction her bag was dragging on the ground but they milked her out before we picked her up. now she has a very small bag but if I try to milk her she does have some milk in it. I also bought 2 young bottle fed billies the same day and they are penned with her but we have never seen them even try to nurse from her. She had very bad feet when we got her but have trimmed them down now so she has an easier time walking. However she still lays down A lot and while she drinks and goes to the bathroom good I haven’t seen her eat much, not even her grain. She is yet to show sign that she is ready to give birth but she is HUGE and barely fits thru the door of the shelter. Is there anything special you might recommend I do for/with her? She seems to like the company of the little guys though
Michelle, if she is pregnant, please don’t milk her again. The kids will need the colostrum that she will produce just before kidding. Goats have a way of surprising you with kids. It seems like when you least expect it, “pop” there it is. Was this goat used as a milking goat before you got her? Maybe that’s why she was bagged up so much.
She may never have been exposed to grain… it may take her some time to realize how good it is. The important thing is that she eats hay/grass & drinks. It could be the move that has her bothered. If the bucklings are 8 weeks or more, you should consider banding them – they will soon be thinking about breeding. If they are smaller than your nanny, you should be fine for a while by leaving them together.
Just continue to be kind & loving to her. If she doesn’t appear distressed or sickly, don’t worry about her. Watch for dehydration (if you pull her skin on her back & it stays up like a tent or goes down real slow, she’ll need liquids quickly), fever (normal is 101 to 103).
God Bless!
Good Morning Christine,
I have to ask an expert again. I just exchanged one of my 1month old bucks for a 1 month old doe. The problem is she won’t drink milk from the bottle or from a goat. The bucks momma is letting her suck but she wont. It almost looks like maybe her own mom weaned her already, she is eating hay and grains just fine. She seems happy and healthy. I talked to the previous owner she does not know anything about this little one eating habit(she has a huge herd of all kinds of goats and other animals). I try so hard to give her bottle she would take the nipple in and just hold it, but wont suck on it. Her mouth looks healthy no lesions. She won’t even drink water or milk from the little bucket like my other 1 months old. I made a bigger hole in the nipple so water or milk can dripp and she will have very little of it. Should I take her back to her mom and see if she sill eat again the only problem is I live 4 hours away. Please, please adice. She is not loosing weight so far but I am afraid she may start loosing it soon. Thank you so very much.
I talked to vet and he wanted me to tube her. It does not make sence to me she is not sick and she is eating just fine her grains and hay.
Galina, I have baby goats that are 3 weeks old and that eat hay & grain & very seldom nurse from their mother any more. I don’t think you have anything to worry about. As long as she has easy access to fresh water and as much hay/grass that she wants, she’ll be fine. I wouldn’t worry about it unless she became listless & making lots of noise (being hungry). Baby goats that are raised in larger herds learn from others very quickly. That’s why some start eating solid food from a young age because they see other goats doing it. You’re alright!
Thank you Christine. I am so very greatfull for people like you. I wish I lived closer to you I would bake you the best russian cake there is. Thanks again.
Galina.
Hey Christine, Just wanted to let you know our stormy gave birth this morning around 5am. Our new buckling is doing great. Your advice gave my wife and I comfort to know that we were doing all that needed to be done and be prepared for trouble if it arose. Thanks for all your help!!!
DapperDan
DapperDan, thank you for letting me know of the outcome of Stormy’s Saga! Wow.. I checked our last contact & it was April 12th when you thought it was almost time.. You guys must have been going nuts with anxiety! Well, I’m so happy this story has a happy ending. You’re very welcomed & enjoy your little one.. don’t be afraid to hold it as much as you want – you’ll create a very tame little goat! Christine
Hi Christine,
I’m sorry to post in the middle of a conversation but I can’t seem to find out how to start my own question. I’ve contacted you several times in the past regarding Ivy and birthing babies and am in need of your help again. Ivy is pregnant again. Her 1st batch of babies were born Jan 31 & she had a cut on her teat that healed and all was well. Now, 1 teat has stayed engorged and the other is back to normal. She seems to feel fine. I’ve been told that I should milk her out & discard the milk. She is skittish and I am worried about her freaking out when we catch her, causing injury to the babies she’s carrying. I joked that I wish I could give her Valium so she’d be calm enough to milk. Have you ever heard of Gravol? It’s a ginger based anti-nausea people medication that causes drowsiness. In Canada it’s sold over-the-counter and used by many to sedate their animals. I am opposed to medications unless necessary and I feel that this would be more beneficial than not – knowing Ivy as I do. I wonder if you know if this or any other medication could safely be used to calm her or should I just try to catch her and milk her? Thanks so much for helping. I really appreciate it.
Bonnie
Bonnie, being from Montreal, I know about Gravol! Here in the states the equivalent would be Benadryl. I believe that the one teat that she has which is “engorged” is the one she uses (used), to feed the kid(s) born in January. Are they still nursing or are they weaned? If you milk her, she will continue to produce milk & will not dry up. Within 12 hours of weaning, the nannies udder will blow up and look very tender. Within 24 to 36 hours, it will start to slowly “go down” and within 10 days she will stop producing milk. I think that would be the best route to go. She won’t explode! My Noel even when dried up looks kind of strange..she has one little teat you can hardly see and the other is as big as a man’s thumb & is always visible… I guess it’s the goat version of saggy boobs.
That’s what I would do! Just let nature be. Christine
Thanks very much, Christine! I feel much better now. I wondered if Benadryl would work but I won’t do that to her. I’ll let nature take it’s course. I see the kids try to get a drink now and then but she usually pushes them away after a couple of seconds. It’s been this way for a couple of weeks now so maybe it’ll start going down soon. I haven’t seen the kids have a drink in a couple of days but I’m not watching them every minute and they are 14 weeks. One udder is MUCH bigger than a man’s thumb. It’s the same size as when she was heavily nursing and is still pointy and full. I’ll be patient. She seems to feel fine and jumps around, plays follow the leader with the kids and is quite happy. She would not be happy if I caught her. Thanks again! You do us all a wonderful service!
Bonnie
we just had 2 babies this morning,They seem fine,but the mama seems to favor one.l’m alittle worried because it’s the runt that she is avoiding. He lays outside by himself while the mama is inside with the other one.Is this normal? and if not what should l do?
Thanks Jay
Hi there again!! LOL I have another question for you, my little boy goat that was born today has a limp on this front left leg. It looks like the hoof is slightly bent inwards to the point that he is alomst walking on his ankle. is this a break or a birth defect? Any suggestions? Thanks so much.
Jay
Hi again! the little boy has the poops and it is bright yellow.Is this normal?
HELLO I HAVE A GOAT THAT IS BRED AND WE THOUGHT SHE WAS DUE LAST WEEK. SHE HAS BEEN BAGGED UP FOR ATLEAST A MONTH BUT NOTHING, SHE HAS ALSO HAD STRUTTED UDDERSFOR A COUPLE DAYS AND THEN THEY WILL START TO HANG DOWN STAIGHT. SHE HAS DONE THIS A COUPLE OF TIMES ALREADY HAVE YOU EVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS. I’VE RAISE ALOT OF ANIMALS BUT NO GOATS SO AM KINDA LOST.
Christine,
I have a doe who is several years old, already birthed a kid several years ago. She is due now but has been laying in the barn stall for 2 days and will not come out. She is barely eating but drinking well. She lays down alot and grinds her teeth and softly moans. She has dropped but according to her rear end nothing is really happening. I am concerned that something may not be right with her. Our other goats haven’t stayed in labor that long. Thank you, Kim
Kim, I’m sorry I haven’t replied sooner. Somehow my settings have been changed & I don’t get alerted when a question comes in.
I hope by now that your girl has given birth. When goats grind their teeth, it’s a sure sign of pain. If she hasn’t yet birthed & is in same condition, I would have a vet look at her. If you’re concerned about cost, generally if you bring a farm animal to a vet & he examines her in the truck, you’ll spend a lot less – I know it works this way here. Good luck & keep me posted.
Frank, I’m sorry I didn’t reply sooner.. I didn’t get an alert to tell me I had an comment here.. I’m sure by now your goat has kidded… her appearance/attitude sounds very normal to me. No need to worry unless she’s in some sort of labor distress.
Hi Christine,
I have a doe that I bought before I found she was pregnant. I don’t know her due date. I delived goats before, but this one is different. She bagged up her udder is shiny, I can barely feel the ligaments and she is been spotting with a opaque guii stuff for 3 days now. SHe starting to breath heavy and preffer laying down on one side with her head on the ground. Somethimes it scares me because she looks like she is dead. She pees a lot with very little come out. She eats fine and loves her grain, but little at the time and lays down a lot. She is 2 and this in her first time kidding per previous owner. Her sides sank just a little bit not much. She is as big as the house. I have been watching her for 3 days and nothing. Is there something wrong with her. My previous expirience was if the goat started to spot ussualy in 24 hr we have a kid or 2 or 3. Thank you for your reply
Galina
Galina, this doesn’t sound totally abnormal. She’s eating which is a good sign. Not sure which part of the country you’re in but it’s so hot here in TN that all my goats are breathing heavy. I’d wait until I see her pushing without results before starting to get worried. First time fresheners are often confused with whats going on. Do you have a reliable vet that you can bring her to if things get serious? Sometimes we have to go with our hearts/guts & if you feel that something is really wrong, bring her to a farm animal vet. Keep me posted!
Christine,
My babies are all doing great. Having a ball watching them – I get them new toys and such just to watch their response.
Here is the issue: My first baby Lucky born 3/25 is now just 4 months old. He has become a little interested in the females – I am getting ready to place him in with the boys (buck and weather). However, this morning I noticed some spots of blood in the Goat Compound (Safe Zone for nights) not associated with urine output. I looked at everyone to see if someone got injured. Lucky has some blood around the fur around his penis. The blood was not mixed with urine it is just blood. Would there be blood when a goat first has arrousals??? I make sure everyone gets their copper (especially the boys) and that there is lots of water available 24/7.
Is this something normal or do I call in the vet???
Thanks
Linda, I’ve never heard of anything like that – I’m at a loss to give you any kind of advice… All that I can think of is that he may have an urinary tract infection so serious that there’s very little urine & lots of blood. Keep an eye on him – check his temperature – it should be higher than 102 if he’s got an infection. If the bleeding continues, I’d definitely have him see a vet. Keep in touch!
Christine, We need your help. Our goat Bridget is going to have a baby any day or tonight. We have had a previous pygmy goat that dident make it as she was giving birth.. we dident know what to do.. she was in labor for 12 hours!when she died at 2 in the morning..We were all so upset so we decided to get a new pygmy goat Bridget. Our male pygmy goat Benny got her pregnant just before we sold him.and he was a very large pygmy goat! So we are afraid that the baby will be to big to come out..How can we handle this? please write back..thank you! -Raquel
hi we have a doe that we just bout about 6 mots. ago and when we got hershe had twins that was about a mth. old then but she was in with others (and 2 billy) today she started hollering and we noticed a discharge comin out of her, he fist lil doe is still sneaking around sucking her so we cant tell if her bag is full or not and we dont really know if she is bread or not since she was with all them when we got herwe now have he by herself away from all the others includeing the first baby who is now about 6 mths. do u think she is beaed or just comin in heat again cause there has been a billy in there with her