Mantis Kidding Thread - WE HAVE BABIES!!!!!

[Mantis71]

OK, first time kidding for me. Have a decent idea what to expect...(I think...) but I get the distinct feeling that goat kidding is just like human birthing in that you have an idea of how it's supposed to be but what you actually GET is a grab bag... (am I right here? lol)

This is Tankerbell (Saanen/Boer 50/50) she's about 220# and she's due March 15. I thought I had lots of time and could relax and read up etc because I wasn't getting any babies until mid March...

But then I got Betty Lou (ND). I was told Betty Lou was already bred. She wasn't sure when, since she lived in a group with the buck. So it was a watch and see prospect.
Yeah... well...
This is now Betty Lou.

I can see her udders now, although she's not completely bagged up I don't remember seeing them visible before. And she's... quite round.

Now I'm scrambling to get a kidding pen and a kit together. And the waiting begins!!!
When should I move her to the kidding pen? Like yesterday? or wait until she's puffy?

I'd scream for help but I'm not THAT panicked just kind of .... ON HIGH ALERT hahahaa

 

[Sweetened]

Whats fhe temperature where you are? My goats will kid an coookd weather and i make sure kids are dry, quickly cut a double layer of fleece into a jacket (2 leg holes!) And they are under a heat lamp for 24hours.

Their bag will become glossy and look and feel painfully engorged, skin is super tight. Have you read about feeling for ligaments? Some does bag up a month or weeks before, other days or hours.

 

[Southern by choice]

Betty Lou!

trips!

 

[Mantis71]

omg trips? ya think? I'd prob fall out with happiness hahaha
It's COOOOOOOLD here. I have a kid hut and towels ready and I'm making coats now. (Maybe I should make more of them....) How do you do the double layer of fleece?

And Im guessing I should get her in the pen? lol

 

[Sweetened]

I litterally just buy a few yards of fleece fabric, fold the fabric in half, drape over kid, cut section off that will cover kid from front shoulders to tail (so the fabric is still doubled). Then i cut a leg hole with scissors, put one leg in, approximate another slit and put other leg in. If the other leg doesnt fit or its too tight, i make an extra t cut towards the armpit. Super fancy (NOT!)

 

[Sweetened]

And i might get her used to being in the pen soon.

 

[Mantis71]

I think I'm gonna grab one of DH's sweatshirts he doesnt wear anymore and use the sleeves. That should work yes??

 

[Mantis71]

explain the ligaments thing ? I've heard something about that but not sure how to check

 

[SA Farm]

I think I'm gonna grab one of DH's sweatshirts he doesnt wear anymore and use the sleeves. That should work yes??

Should work

explain the ligaments thing ? I've heard something about that but not sure how to check

Here's some great info to read up on including the ligament thing : http://fiascofarm.com/goats/prenatalcare.html

 

[Mantis71]

thank you!