Getting Ready for the Upcoming Kidding Season

Now that winter is in full swing, many goat producers are anticipating kiddin  in late January-early March.  Kidding season can be both exciting and exhausting.  Of course, it is best to plan ahead by preparing a herd health program and putting together a “kidding kit” to hopefully prevent some of the exhaustion.

Nutrition is very important in the last two months of pregnancy.  Undernourishment in pregnant does will result in smaller kids, increased mortality and slower growth rates.  During this time, does require feed that provides them with more energy.  This is a good time to increase your sources of energy in goat feed such as corn, oats, dried molasses or dried citrus pulp.  A doe’s appetite will drop off during this time, and because of her growing uterus can only consume small amounts of feed at a time.  Therefore it is important to increase the quality of her feed and her hay.

Not only is it important to provide proper nutrition for your pregnant does, but preventative management also plays a huge role in your herd health program.  Be sure to monitor your does for any worm problems and de-worm any does showing signs one month prior to kidding.  Be sure to read the label on your de-worming medication.  Not all de-wormers are suitable for pregnant does. Vaccination for Clostridium perfringens C and D and tetanus toxiod (CDT) should be given to does 3 weeks prior to kidding season so that immunities can be passed on to the kids.

Having a “kidding kit” readily available is highly recommended.  I have a bad habit of leaving things lying around all over the barn, so having them all in one place and ready to go when does/kids start showing signs of stress could be the difference between life and death in your goats.  To start with, kits should contain a disinfectant soap, examination gloves, scissors and paper towels/shop clothes.  You should also equipment your kit with syringes, needles, feeding tube, small bottle, milk replacer and Iodine 7%.  It is a good idea to have vitamin A, D, E, vitamin B complex and BoSe on hand.  BoSe is a vitamin E and selenium source that can be given to each kid at birth. 

For more information on goat herd management and preparing for kidding, contact the McLean County Cooperative Extension Service at 273-3690.