[mariegold]

Dear all, Enfys the goat is gigantic and not eating all her food, she tries to eat the oats and sugar beet and avoid her concentrates. Two days ago I noticed some mucus coming out of her rear end so prepared myself for imminent kidding....................... but nothing. Should I be concerned? Every book I read says that mucus equals labour! Wisdom and advice very much appreciated as usual, thank you!

[plumseverywhere]

Its a sign that things are moving along for sure but from my understanding, not all goats will kid same day as the mucous starts.  The going off of her food is encouraging too.
Once she's pawing at the bedding and looking uncomfortable (getting up and down and huffing a bit) you'll know. when will she be 150 days? or is she past that? think its approx 5 days before/5 days after all normal (bit like humans, goats labours all differ)

[mariegold]

Aaaah I see. She does look uncomfortable and yesterday she lay on her side and really stretched out. I will keep checking on her today. Thanks for the advice 

[Dogwalker]

'A watched goat never kids'

or so it seems, 
I've got one here whose huge, udder full, laying around and fed up.  Since Monday I've been watching her closely saying 'She'll kid today/tonight'  4 others I haven't been watching so closely have kidded but she's hanging on to them.  I'm watching her closely today hoping the two first timers will kid during daylight.

[jaykay]

I've got one like that too...... 

I think I will try the old 'get changed into smart clothes, ready to go out' routine - that usually does the trick 

[Dogwalker]

I'm in a choir performance tomorrow evening with a rehearsal at 2.30 in the afternoon.
I did warn them I might not make it if a goat needed me here.

[plumseverywhere]

When Puffin kidded 2 years ago, she looked 'not quite right' at 7.30am. I said to hubby that she was going to kid that day and he told me I was probably getting my hopes up.

By lunchtime we had mucous.   By 2pm she was hoofing the floors. By 3pm she was starting to try to push.  All 4 children got home from school at 3.45pm to watch their first kid be born. I still think she waited for them 

[little blue]

Goats run to their own schedule!
Definitely worth getting dressed up and looking like you're off out somewhere important...

best of luck with her/them

[Skirza]

When we were expecting our first ever kids my husband (farmer born and bred) looked at our girl and said (knowingly) "ahhh....she'll be a while yet, you can get some sleep"....the kids were born 20 minutes later!

[Lesley Silvester]

 


So not even farmers know.

[shygirl]

When we were expecting our first ever kids my husband (farmer born and bred) looked at our girl and said (knowingly) "ahhh....she'll be a while yet, you can get some sleep"....the kids were born 20 minutes later!

and our farmer felt the goats belly and said she was empty, when even I could feel something there.

[mariegold]

Well its been 5 days since I noticed some mucus and still no babies! I've tried putting my best clothes on, meeting up with friends and going on a date with my o/h but to no avail.... I've got 12 people coming over for Easter Sunday so maybe she is holding on until then?

[little blue]

I've got 12 people coming over for Easter Sunday so maybe she is holding on until then?

... probably!

[Lesley Silvester]

Sounds about right.