Kidding preparation and supplies

Goat Kidding Prep and Supplies
by Carrie Eastman

With kidding season approaching, time to get the kidding kit ready.

Homeopathic remedies, all 30C potency:
Cimicifuga – dilates cervix, for lack of progress at any stage of labor
Pulsatilla – turns kid if positioned incorrectly, must be used prior to labor, no effect if kid is correct. 1 dose every 2 hours up to 6 doses max
Arnica – helps with swelling, bruising, sore muscles after

Kid sweaters, just in case. I made mine from old sweater sleeves. The cuff becomes the neck hole. Cut leg holes and hemmed up the leg holes and cut sleeve edge. For boy babies, make the top longer and the belly shorter to make sure the penis isn’t covered by the sweater or it will be soaked.

Goat milker, like EZ Milker or this homemade milker

DIY goat milker

Colostrum & milk replacer (I will confess I do not stock these. There is usually a doe available to snitch colostrum from if I would need to, and I haven’t had a nursing issue yet with any of my does)

My favorite electrolyte to mix in warm water and offer right after kidding.

Get your heat lamps hooked up and tested. No cords or bulbs within reach of goats. Be very very careful – lamps can easily start a fire and kill your goat family if they are locked in the lamp area.

Fresh straw or hay bedding in the stall, and more bedding ready to replace any wet areas after kidding.

Scissors if you need to cut any extra dangling umbilical cord. I do not cut unless it is dragging on the ground.

Dental floss or thread to tie cord if needed, and iodine or tea tree oil to dip cord end. I normally do not dip or tie or cut the cord. I have these on hand, in case I would need to for some reason.

Blood stop powder, Yunan Pao, my favorite liquid trace minerals, styptic powder. Have some means to stop catastrophic bleeding. You will likely never need this. If you ever do, seconds will count.

Clean bath towels for drying kids, wiping yourself off. Use unscented laundry detergent and no fabric softener. Best not to add strong smells while mom is bonding with her kids.

Hand disinfectant, in case you have to go inside a doe. K-Y jelly for the same reason. If I do go inside a doe, I dose her with chelated colloidal silver that day, and for several days after.

A head lamp. A hands-free source of bright light in the middle of the night is invaluable.

I also use flower essence sprays. One spray is used orally for fear. Helps a stressed-out doe, and if accidentally ingested by her person, can help a stressed out assistant as well. The other spray is topical, used for pain and swelling. Great around the vulva during and after birth.

Generally speaking, I’m a minimalist during kidding. Myotonic goats are known for hardiness, good kidding and good mothering. While I won’t stand by and watch mom or kids die, I prefer to let nature take its course as much as possible and stay hands-off.

I do lock does in a kidding stall with fresh water and hay, separate from the other does, if kidding will occur at night or in cold weather. Otherwise, I let the doe choose her spot, and make sure there are plenty of clean areas to choose from.

I do not offer a full grain meal until the day after kidding, just hay and water and electrolytes. I will give a tablespoon of grain soaked with prebiotic after the doe is done cleaning up, or add the prebiotic to the electrolyte water.

http://www.affordablehomeopathy.com/

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration or American Veterinary Medical Association, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult your veterinarian about any changes to your animal’s health program.