| Author | Message | ||
     annie New member Username: ydujeinna Post Number: 2 Registered: 01-2007 Posted From: 72.11.40.155 Rating: N/A |
I'm new to this site and don't want to offend any of you but why on earth would you breed so early that the kids and mothers deliver in the middle of winter? Kids can get pneumonia, loose ears or die. If you love your does and don't have a heated barn how could you do this to them? I find it very sad. If you don't have a notebook to keep all your important info in, at least put their name on the calader date they got caught. You can always go back to check to figure when she would be due. .. Again, I don't know any of you so it is not intended toward anyone special. | ||
| Ainslee Cara Love New member Username: loveboergoats Post Number: 31 Registered: 04-2006 Posted From: 70.3.251.135 Rating: N/A |
Thanks all for the suggestions! I feel a little stupid saying this, but I apparently read the calendar wrong. We have a new baby in our family and she still keeps me up some nights, so my brain isn't working quite right. :o) The goat isn't due until this weekend, which isn't going to be too much better sadly enough. But, at least this time I'm a little more ready for them. Still have no idea which one it is but hopefully I can figure it out soon. All of ours have a habit of going way off in the field to have their babies. I'm just thankful that the winter weather this weekend is snow and not freezing rain/ice. I'll be sure to try and keep everyone posted on what happens. Thanks again! | ||
| Cheryl Hayward New member Username: calliescomet Post Number: 46 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 169.204.229.54 Rating: N/A |
Ainslee, I am so glad I was able to help. I started using the sweaters this kidding season and will continue to do so. The dog sweaters for little dogs also work great. I stoled two from our dogs, lol. Congrats also on your new additions! Cheryl CPR Boer Goats 39 Strong and Growing. | ||
| Maggie Leman Moderator Username: maggieleman Post Number: 1694 Registered: 07-2005 Posted From: 72.185.188.253  Rating: N/A |
I bet they are adorable in their sweaters! Maggie Leman Goat 911 Capri Medic | ||
| Jaye Maxfield New member Username: driftless Post Number: 10 Registered: 11-2006 Posted From: 69.128.212.44 Rating: N/A |
Cheryl - thanks for the tip on the sweaters! A kid that was born last Thursday was acting lethargic and we suspected he was too cold. We took him inside a few times to get him warmed up and had to keep checking on him. I made him a sweatshirt yesterday, like you said to do, out of an old pair of sweatpants. He's acting a lot better - much more active - even with below zero nights. Also, last night another doe kidded (it was probably the coldest night of the winter so far) and we got the kid dried off and put a sweater on him and he's active as can be this morning! | ||
| Cindy Hance New member Username: chance Post Number: 147 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 69.27.218.92 Rating: N/A |
I have one other suggestion that I'm using right now. Doubt it will do you any good right now but for the future and depending on how far away their shed is from your house... I have hooked up a baby monitor in their shed and keep it with me. We are up off the road a way out there, not too far but and I can hear the cars go by and goats farther up when they call. I'm hoping this will save me from frozen babies. Those little cries should be apparent since I can hear the mom's breathing. I bought a "The first years" monitor 2.4Ghz from Walmart (this distance I found to be only on-line think it is 1600 ft.). It even picks up the geese overhead. We are just about at maximum distance and it's supposed to go much farther but I guess with the shed and metal out there and the interfernce with other things we can't do much about it. Seems to be working well This unit has power cords for baby unit and parent unit (no batteries). It was -12 here this morning when I got up and it's been working well so far. If anyone wants anymore info let me know under subject of "baby monitor". I'm at work right now so I don't have all the particulars. We still go out and check on our girls just don't have to CONSTANTLY worry someone had a baby an hour ago. I'm afraid it will give me a false sense of security so I just keep that in mind all the time. Nothing is fail safe. We use it as a tool and SOME peice of mind. Haven't had any kids yet so hopefully it will give me a heads up hearing some grunting or moaning or then again that blessed little cry.} Cindy | ||
| Cheryl Hayward New member Username: calliescomet Post Number: 45 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 67.0.133.78 Rating: N/A |
Hi, I have a suggestion for when your does do kid. I began this this year and have had EXCELLENT results and will continue doing it. As soon as the little ones are born, help mom clean/dry them, then put a sweater on them. I used old sweatshirt sleeves and sweatpant legs. If the band is too tight snip it a little, cut two leg holes and make sure to cut a v on the bottom side if putting on a boy, this will allow them to pee freely. Allow them to stay in their first sweater for a couple of hours then switch to a new dry sweater. I have found that my kids get dryer quicker and stay nice and toasty. I left the sweaters on until we warmed up. Just change when they become damp. The moms didn't mess with the sweaters. You can use a hair dryer to dry the kids also. I would have dextrose on hand also, just in case you find a weak cold kid. Good Luck. We have been below 0 for lows for almost a week now. And only teens above 0 for highs. I am in Eastern Washington. Cheryl CPR Boer Goats | ||
| Elaine Elder New member Username: elaine Post Number: 38 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 72.152.162.89 Rating: N/A |
http://www.jackmauldin.com/management/laborkidding.htm http://fiascofarm.com/goats/prenatalcare.html Very good photos | ||
| Maggie Leman Moderator Username: maggieleman Post Number: 1668 Registered: 07-2005 Posted From: 72.185.188.253 Rating: N/A |
Check udders and tail ligaments. Often the udder will get much larger and tighter just before kidding and the tail ligaments will soften to the point where you can't feel them and you will be able to nearly close your fingers all the way around the spine just above the tail. Some does will get hollow just in front of the hip bones as the babies drop. Some does will pass a thick white discharge (the mucus plug). Some will baaa softly "baby talking". The fiascofarm.com website has a good list of signs to look for, but these are teh ones I typically see in my does that ae getting very close. Maggie Leman Goat 911 Capri Medic | ||
| Ainslee Cara Love New member Username: loveboergoats Post Number: 27 Registered: 04-2006 Posted From: 68.241.65.28 Rating: N/A |
I'm having a little problem here, like I don't have enough on my hands with sick goats and freezing temps. I checked our calendar today and noticed my husband wrote on that a goat (or more??) are due to kid today. The big problem, he didn't write down which one(s) and can't remember. We run a herd of about forty meat goats so it's a little hard to just put them all in the barn for a few days. So, I was wondering if anyone could give me a hand on recognizing signs of labor and when they're most likely to kid, etc. I know sometimes they can put off delivery a couple of days with bad weather around. It's not bad here, just below freezing. Will they still deliver today? And how long could the little one survive if I don't find it right when she has it? Thanks to all, and I think I definately learned why I shouldn't let my husband handle breeding! |