[maddy]

Is it safe to trim my nannies feet when they are in kid and due beginning of April?

Silly question probably but seem to remember something that I was told about ligaments becoming soft and so they didnt do trimming but was it after kidding or before?

Mine need a little restraining whilst trimming.

[ballingall]

Hmmm, their pelvis does slacken off in the run up to kidding, and it is best not to disturb them too in the very latter stages of pregnancy, just in case it stresses them and sends them into early labor. We normally cut their feet for the last time about 4 weeks before they are due, and then wait until a fortnight after they have kidded to do them again. That way it's only a gap of six weeks.


If you feel they need done again in between, I wouldn't worry about doing the front feet, it's lifting the back feet that might put them off balance and make them fall.


Beth

[Anke]

You should be able to do a last trimming now before kidding at the beginning of April, but I wouldn't do it much later. I am not sure how much the softening ligaments would be a problem, but it also becomes a lot more difficult to balance on three legs when they are getting quite huge...

[Penninehillbilly]

I try not to do much with mine in the last 8 weeks.

[goosepimple]

Get a goat crush if you haven't got one or buy a lamb adoptor from your local fencing suppliers - make sure she's hungry and put a trug with favourite treats at the adoptor (google if you haven't seen before) they're around £16 to buy.  Saves you 'sitting on her' if that's how you normally go about it     If you have several goats (or are about to) it's worth investing, so much less stressful for the wee goaties.