Kidding Season for Beginners
As a goat owner, understanding kidding season is important whether you have one goat expecting or a whole herd. This is an intense time in life that can result in quite a bit of stress for both the doe and her kids. Ensuring proper care and goat management during this period can help the doe recover faster after birth and ensure her kids get a healthy start in life.
Preparing for Kidding Season
Gestation for goats is around 144 to 155 days. As their kidding date approaches, you will want to prepare a comfortable and safe area for them to deliver. This area should be free of any sharp objects or hazards and preferably be in an enclosed area like a barn. If you have several goats kidding, consider creating separate pins for each doe and her offspring, leaving her ample space to move comfortably.
In addition, you will also need to bed the pens to provide a soft and clean surface during and after birth. After birth, make sure you are regularly cleaning out the old bedding and replacing with new to minimize the risk of any infections.
Aside from preparing their pens, you will also need to keep a close eye on the herd as kidding season approaches. Monitor which goats are coming up on their due dates and if they are showing any signs of active labor.
Signs indicating a doe is about to give birth can include:
-
- A full or firm udder
- Restlessness such as pacing or pawing at the ground
- Isolating from the herd
- Frequent urination
- Vulval discharge
If a goat is showing these signs and isn’t already moved to her pen, you should try to take her there if you are able to safely and with the least amount of stress possible.
After Kidding
Goats usually have one to three kids, so after her first birth, it’s best to give the doe time to rest, take care of her kid, and let her body gain some strength, as she will most likely have another to deliver.
Within the first hour after birth, the kid(s) should be attempting to stand up and nurse. You need to monitor them to ensure they have sucked ideally within six hours after birth, because the first bit of milk from the doe is extremely important for their future health and performance. This milk is called colostrum, and this colostrum provides them with their first source of nutrition and protection. The immunoglobulins (lgGs) in colostrum provide an immunity boost before their natural immunity develops.
If a kid does not nurse within this time frame, you will need to help them learn how, to ensure they get the nutrients they need.
Nutrition for Pregnant Goats
During kidding season, does undergo significant physical changes and one of the most important factors to watch for during this time is their body condition score. Ensuring the doe has a good body condition score will confirm she is getting the proper nutrition to support her through all stages of pregnancy and postpartum. With the right nutrition, she can have a healthier pregnancy, smoother delivery, optimized milk production, and faster recovery.
Home Fresh® offers a variety of high quality goat feeds that are formulated to meet the unique needs of goats at every life stage. Home Fresh Goat Herd 18 is a great choice for goat owners looking to provide their does with enough energy for birthing and milk production.
By providing your goats with high quality goat feed made from fresh, premium-quality ingredients like Home Fresh, you can rest assured that they are healthy, productive, and ready to raise their offspring.