The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: Lesley Silvester on June 28, 2015, 10:45:16 pm
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My goat was due to kid yesterday and I'm spending most of my time checking her. Fortunately, the goat year and shed are just by the house so I can see without having to go out every time. She's fed up with me checking her ligaments, which seem a bit softer, and her udder and vulva which don't look any different.
I know a lot of you have already been through it so what are your hints for staying sane? :thinking: :tired:
The last two kiddings resulted in a vet's visit so I am worried that she will have problems and I will miss it until it's too late. Wish she'd hurry up.
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:fc: it all goes well,
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When you think her udder can't get any bigger without popping, wait two more weeks,
finally decide it won't be tonight so you may as well sleep till 5am, then you'll get up to find she's liking the second clean with no problems at all.
Hope you don't have to wait too long and it all goes smoothly. :fc:
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Camera. For me the only way to stay sane (and get at least some sleep) at kidding time.
The other thing I found is helpful is to take them on walks in the last few days beforehand, just keeps the exercise going and helps getting the kids into the right position.
:fc:, at least the vets (or you) won't get stuck in snow drifts at this time of year...
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When you think her udder can't get any bigger without popping, wait two more weeks,
finally decide it won't be tonight so you may as well sleep till 5am, then you'll get up to find she's liking the second clean with no problems at all.
Her due date was definitely yesterday. With her last one I had to take milk off her a few times during the week before she was due. I think she was a bit late then but not by much. I think I would be easier in my mind if Curry hadn't come head first and then Cloud's first was breech and still born and the second one well and truly stuck. A friend who used to breed B. Saanens told me that the breed is known for having problem kiddings and that she nearly always had to get the vet out.
I suspect I'll be up and down during the night again tonight. At least I only need to look out the bedroom window to check on her and I have left the outside light on.
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let us know how she's getting on, my kidding starts in 4 weeks, its late but I'm glad we left it later this year with the appalling weather we've been having.
You can bet your last polo she'll have it the minute you aren't looking ::)
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Both my goats shouted their heads off before they started kidding
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I hope I'm not 'teaching my grandmother to suck eggs', but I hope the following will give you some peace of mind. :)
The usual signs of imminent kidding is when the goat gets restless, gettting up and down without settling, pawing the ground, turning her head and 'talking' to her sides. Obviously prior to that her udder will have filled up dramatically, her pelvic bones will become 'loose' so as to be able to permit expansion for the passage of the kid/s. It's not unusual for goats to delay kidding, they will kid when they think it's right - no matter when your calculated kidding date is! Of course regular observation is necessary, in case of too many days after the nominal kidding date and or prolonged efforts at giving birth which indicates difficulties giving birth - i.e. breech presentation, leg/s back, head back etc,. (I have had to deal with quite a few of these problems over the years from 15 Swiss breed showing and milking herd).
However, there mostly are no problems at all, just check the goat regularly and calmly without getting too stressed, the goat may pick up on your anxiety and become nervous herself.
One thing I always did after the kid/s had been born and dried off and the umbilical cord treated with antiseptic was to ensure that the kid/s suckled to get the important colostrum from their mother. After some hours I introduced them to the bottle (containing mothers milk), so they accepted the bottle readily and without problems, just in case there were any problems with their mother - it only happened to me once where the mother died and I was left with two orphaned kids - happily they not only survived on the bottle (using only natural goats milk from the herd - not commercial milk replacer) but they grew up well and won prizes!
I'm sure all will go well for you, just be patient and observant, look forward to hearing good news! :fc: :)
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Thanks, Cosmore. She is very restless tonight but has still not properly bagged up. The ligaments are soft though so I think it could be soon. She would pick after dark to do it though. My outside light doesn't shine directly into the shed so, if there are problems, we have to quickly rig up a temporary light which involves an extension cable and a desk lamp.
The iodine spray, antibacterial hand gel and colostrum are ready just in case, as is a jar of molasses for her for afterwards.
Wish she'd hurry up. My nerves can't take much more. I'm even more restless than she is.
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Not be of mine has shown any classic signs! They most I got was they would call to me, there vulvas looked more swollen, I'd go to fetch the hay or get a cuppa and next time I looked there would be a set of twins or triplets!
Got one due any time whose udder is fit to burst but she doesn't look particularly low and I wouldn't say ligaments are as slack as on others. Would have helped if original owners had raddled my billy when i asked. Grrrr
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She had another difficult birth resulting in a dead female. It was upside down and with one leg back and had to be hauled out with a rope. The vet said that it's worth trying her again but call him out soon after she starts pushing.
So glad that Beeducked was with me to help.
Just waiting for Pom to get up now. She has had a shot of painkiller and one of antibiotic and is exhausted, poor girl, but has had some soaked sugar beet and molasses water together with a few leaves, so should be alright.
Feeling sad. :'(
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:hug: so sorry to hear this, look after yourself :hug:
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Oh that's so sad. Let's hope she picks up, even though no baby.
If this was the second time she has had a difficult birth, maybe not so good to kid her again...
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Ohh no, sorry to hear this, am gutted for you :(
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After all your care and concern that is a a really sad outcome, for you and poor Pom.
I hope that she recovers as quickly as possible.
Sending heartfelt encouragement to you,
take care,
Whittsend xx
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I am so sorry :hug:
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Oh poor you and Pom :hug:
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oh no how sad for you and Pom :bouquet:
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That is sad news for you and Pom. I hope she recovers ok.
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Oh no, very sad. I hope Pom not too distressed.
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Big hug to you both, that's really sad.
Perhaps not a good idea to kid her again. Just keep milking her though.
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I've managed to milk her so there's now colostrum in the freezer for future possible use. Going to bed in a minute but not sure if I will sleep despite three broken nights due to checking on her.I suspect I will be checking tonight as well.
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So sorry MGM, good of beeducked to be there to help :bouquet:
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I'm so sorry to hear this :hug:
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I was right about not getting much sleep but she looked ok every time I checked on her. This morning her sides look less swollen and she is moving more. She's had a small amount of Readigrass, some sugar beet and a little coarse mix. I did manage to tempt her with some branches as well but only a few leaves. She is cudding though and I shall keep offering bits during the day.
Thank you for all your kind comments and especially to beeducked for all her support.
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Thinking of you, glad you weren't on your own :hug:
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She is more mobile this evening although suffering from the heat. Still not much appetite but she is taking great interest in the mineral lick and is also cudding a bit.
My question now is, her vulva looks red raw. What is the best thing I can do for it? I have iodine spray but I think that might sting. Would Vaseline be ok? The only other thing I have is wound powder.
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Glad she is a bit better today. I have to say mine haven't been very active this evening and I think the heat has a lot to do with it.
I would leave her vulva alone. She has had the antibiotics and the metacam that will help with the inflammation. I think any sprays or powder will just irritate it and her. If it gets soiled with faeces or bedding I would just very gently wash it with warm water with no soap or anything else.
See you tomorrow.
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Oh no! just saw this, so sorry Pom and you had such an ordeal. I hope she recovers OK. :hug:
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I would leave her vulva alone. She has had the antibiotics and the metacam that will help with the inflammation. I think any sprays or powder will just irritate it and her. If it gets soiled with faeces or bedding I would just very gently wash it with warm water with no soap or anything else.
See you tomorrow.
Thanks, Kate. I'll do that.
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I would leave her vulva alone. She has had the antibiotics and the metacam that will help with the inflammation. I think any sprays or powder will just irritate it and her. If it gets soiled with faeces or bedding I would just very gently wash it with warm water with no soap or anything else.
See you tomorrow.
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Yes nothing but maybe gentle wash if necessary.- give her more metacam (my vet uses flunixin) if she needs it - also lots of willow branches - good natural painkiller. Hope she picks up - is she moving about and gets up/down easily?
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I'm so sorry for you on the unhappy outcome, sadly and unfortunately it does happen sometimes :( .
I hope your goat recovers ok, I'm sure she'll appreciate the caring attention your'e giving her, :fc:
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Thanks, Cosmore. She is a bit brighter today. I think the lower temperature must help as well. She's still not interested in her usual ration but had a good chomp of the fuschia bush that I usually chase her away from after milking this morning. I pruned the roses and she went mad for the prunings. She is also very keen to eat ginger nut bisuits and horse treats so I'm not worried about her. Beeduced came to give her the second a/b jab. My vet also rang this morning to see how she is and to say that he is on duty over the weekend as well as the rest of this week if I'm concerned. He really is a good vet.
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Sounds that she is improving.
She should not have a full ration straight after kidding anyway, slowly re-introduce concentrates, but feed shreds and other high fibre stuff and give a bit more of concentrate every day until she's up to her normal amount (for a goat in-milk) about two weeks post-kidding.
Carrots, bananas, some cabbage will probably all be appreciated.
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She did look better today.
I should have thought and cut her a load of willow before I set off today. Its like a weed round here and the goats love it but most of it is right next to my new cherry tree which they love more so they have to wait until I can cut it for them.
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If I'd realised you had willow I would have said something. I've chopped some buddleia for her this afternoon as well but willow is a painkiller, isn't it?
I forgot to ask you for some eggs as well. ::)
Pom is much perkier today and the soreness is nearly gone. Just wish I could stop Caldi from trying to play. Poor girl had hoof marks down her side. Not what she wants with a sore middle.
Thanks again for your help.
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Good to hear Pom is feeling better. Willow if you can find some - down by a river is a good place to look - is very good for sick goats, or any goats for that matter. Ours will strip the branches of the bark as well as eat the leaves.
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Glad to hear things are slowly improving. My herd always loved Elm browsings, they all went mad for it, stripped off all the leaves, stripped the bark and chewed the twigs right back. I gathered young branches as much as I could carry, about 3 or 4 feet long and tied the branches in a huge bundle with baling twine (what else? ;D ) and hung it up on a post or fence - all I was left with would barely make a besom broom!
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She seemed back to normal today so the antibiotics must be working. She's been cudding most of the day and coming to the gate to talk to me. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Bless her, I'm glad she's feeling better.
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Thanks, DL and everyone else. So am I. I thought for a bit that I might lose her.
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She seemed back to normal today so the antibiotics must be working. She's been cudding most of the day and coming to the gate to talk to me. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
:thumbsup: Good news !
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:excited:
So glad she's OK!! :hug:
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Thanks, everyone. Her milk yield is going up as well. The dogs are enjoying it as we can't have it due to the A/Bs. Roll on Thursday when the seven days is up.
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:excited:
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Thanks, everyone. Her milk yield is going up as well. The dogs are enjoying it as we can't have it due to the A/Bs. Roll on Thursday when the seven days is up.
Get you cheesemaking stuff dusted for Thursday then.... :thumbsup:
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I was lying in bed last night trying to remember where I'd put the cheese press. :excited:
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Today is the first day I could use the milk myself. Couldn't wait to get Pom milked so that I could have proper milk on my cereal. It was still warm though and made the flakes go soggy. Still tasted great.
This evening I had three dogs queueing at the door for their milk. They've been having some every evening while I couldn't. They have now gone to bed to sulk. :roflanim: