[plumseverywhere]

Puffin's estimated date was yesterday which came and went with no real signs that the kids were coming (much to my human kids disappointment as they are worried they'll miss it being at school now).

Anyway.. have done lots of reading and the consensus seems to be that goats due to kid go off of their food, which Puffin did but she's now eating like its going out of fashion. I'm obviously keeping her concentrate ration as it should be but she's going through hay quickly and she's grazing more.

Vulva is pinker, more swollen and puckered - no discharge/mucous of note.

udder growing slowly but not looking 'full'.

she's been nipping at her sides, huffing and puffing, hoofing the ground, tipping out all of her bedding, laying down and then standing back up again and generally looking hacked off and tired (I remember that feeling soooo well)

Any ideas on how long? I've been getting up at 2.30am just to check on her as I'd hate for anything to start and me to not be there if she needed help during night time hours. Is this over cautious?

any tips?
thank you     

[salopman]

Come on Puffin!!

[plumseverywhere]

   thank you - hopefully during daylight hours though 

[katie]

My two definitely stopped eating on THE DAY.So there you are - a sample of two!

[plumseverywhere]

   thanks Katie! yep, madam has gone the other way and is eating for 20!!

[Anke]

No, usually other way here too, my GG's normally don't eat their breakfast on the day... however not so clear cut with the BT though, she just eats anyway...

One clear sign is that the belly changes shape, suddenly she will look much anrrower again, and have hollow sides.  If that's happened she may suddenly have more space in her rumen again and maybe eat a bit more roughage again. I would however think she will start within 24 hours after belly has dropped. Clear, yellowish discharge is another sign that tings have started to move.

Nothing you can do to speed it up I think, give her a spicy curry maybe....

[plumseverywhere]

Belly has dropped in the last 24 hours - she suddenly looked bonier (skinnier?) on her back - does that sound about right?
Looks like I'll be out there doing a 2.30am check then  quite like it out there in the peace and quiet really!

[Anke]

Belly has dropped in the last 24 hours - she suddenly looked bonier (skinnier?) on her back - does that sound about right?
Looks like I'll be out there doing a 2.30am check then  quite like it out there in the peace and quiet really!

Definitely! Nice cup of tea in a thermos too - have you got light in the goat shed?

[Lesley Silvester]

Belly has dropped in the last 24 hours - she suddenly looked bonier (skinnier?) on her back - does that sound about right?
Looks like I'll be out there doing a 2.30am check then  quite like it out there in the peace and quiet really!

And a 3.30 and a 4.30.

WE look forward to some news tomorrow.  good luck.

[plumseverywhere]

Only a head torch and hand torch Anke. I do have a lovely heatlamp which kicks out some light as well as warmth though so that's handy.

well...as of 7am we have egg white type discharge,not a lot but enough to give me hope that we could have some kids soon. she's taken to standing front feet higher than back (using an ants nest of all things) and stretching 

[salopman]

Maybe today then??  ooooooooooooo exciting

[wytsend]

With those signs defo today....... remember once contractions have properly started, make a not of the time.   If nothing appeared within half hour ring the Vet..... she cou;d be in trouble.

Normal kidding:   contractions, getting up and down, more contractions and then the business gets real and you are in no doubt.   Have towels ready to help dry off the kids because if they come quickly, she might not have the time to devote to both or three !!!!

I always milk off some colostrum and bottle feed it to each kid so I know they have had it.... don't leave this to chance it is not worth the risk.... it is after all the kick start to the kids systems.   It won't stop them feeding from mum if that is your choice.

[Roxy]

Are they here yet?   So nice when the kids arrive in daylight when you can see what is happening.  I only have a head torch and hand torch, so makes it difficult in the pitch dark.

Some of my goats carry on eating,right up to having the kids, probably something to do to take their mind off the pain.

[plumseverywhere]

have literally just popped in from a shed where Puffin is starting to try to push (I think?) either that or she's just stretching a lot. Not sure whether to send hubby to school to get the girls, this might be the one and only time we have kids/

[wytsend]

sounds like she is stretching a lot.... real contractions you cannot mistake... think back to when you had your children & translate that to an animal !!!!!   Real contractions most goat lie down & hind legs go out rigid for a few seconds.... there is no doubt at all.