Earth Spirit Preserve

Kidding Page

A Doe/Kidding Form can be very helpful during kidding. Especially if you fill out the upper part prior to kidding and then keep the forms in the barn, with your other kidding supplies, along with a few pencils. Fill out the Kid information after the doe has kidded or after each kid is born if you have the time, or help, and the doe is under no stress. The information can then be taken to the house and transfered to a perminent record and saved. Knowing the Buck Used, the Conditions (Winter, Summer, Hot, Cold, Etc.), the Delivery (Natural, Assisted, Pulled, CC Section, Still, Etc.) will help you know the doe better the next time she kids if she is a new doe or first time freshener but will also help you evaluate the Buck Used. If you used a new buck on does that have kidded for you before without problems and all the does that were bred to the new buck had problems then you have a record of it to think about, when it's not 2 or 3 in the morning.

Kidding at it's best is still stressful. It's a stress on the doe, the kids wonder what the heck happened and you are running on adrenalin. Even if you feel calm and have been through hundreds of kiddings, you know that birth is never to be taken for granted. Having everything you need (except for the warm water) already at the barn waiting for you makes things much easier for you and your state transfers to your doe. If you are going through the kidding process for the first time try to have a friend, that has been through it, there with you or try to be there when someone you know has a doe that is kidding. It's not that you can't do it alone for the first time, it just gives you a preview of what you can expect, how fast things can move or change, and why it's nice to BE READY!!

Here is a short list of the basics at the Barn:

1. Doe/Kidding Forms(or Paper) & Pencils: To keep track of who was born first, next & last. What they were, and what they looked like. Sounds funny but they all look diferent, from what you remember, the next day.
2. Rubbing Alcohol: Rubbing Alcohol should be on hand in the barn at all times. Pour on your hands after washing them before applying the Septi-Lube or KY Gei before reaching inside a doe.
3. Iodine 7% Tincture: It's a good idea to have in the barn at all times. You use 7% Iodine to dip the kids navel in to prevent infection.
4. 35mm Film tubes: To put the Iodine in to dip the kid navel in. Use a new one with each kid then wash them thouroughly before the next use; These can be picked up free at most stores that do film processing.
5. KY Gel or Septi-Lube: Any obstetrical lubricant, even Vaseline will work.This is to be used if you need to reach inside of the doe.
6. Clean Towels & Rags: Used to dry off the kids, dry off your hands, clean off the doe, etc.
7. Paper Towels: New roll still sealed.
8. Dental Floss: To tie off the kids navel. If the umbilical cord is too long the kid will step on it so you need to shorten it. Tye off the cord about an inch from the belly with the Dental Floss, then remove the excess cord about a half inch below the tie-off with a clean sharp instrument (Knife, Scalpel, Scissors, ect.) and dip it.
9. Fingernail Clippers & Emeryboard: If you need to reach inside the doe, make sure your fingernails are short and smooth.
10. Puller: To help pull the kid if need be. Even if you don't know how to use it, if you have it there and someone comes to help you in an emercency it may help them. If you raise Pygmys you will learn how to use it.
11. Uterine Boluses: To be used if you had to reach inside the doe. This helps reduce any infection in the doe.
12. Heat Lamp & Spare Bulb: This will keep the kids warm while the doe is still in labor and while you are trying to get them to nurse for the first time.
13. Hair Dryer: If you need to Dry off kids in a hurry during cold weather, a hairdryer set on LOW will do the trick. Also if you have to milk the doe to feed a kid or two at first a Hair Dryer set on HIGH will warm up the does milk in a bottle.
14. Small Pop Bottle and small lamb Nipples: Just in case you have to hand feed one or so to get them going.

Everybody has their own list of what they want at the barn rather it be for kidding or emergencies. The main thing is to have it THERE, have it CLEAN, and REPLACE IT!

Nothing will do you any good if it is dusty or dirty, empty, or not there. Poly-Containers such as Rubbermaid or Tupperware with tight fitting lids are ideal to keep things in and dust out. If you have the room in your barn an old, nonworking, refridgerator or upright freezer makes an excelent dust free locker to store your supplies in and if you disconnect the motor you can plug it into an electrical outlet and have the light come on when you open the door. Works great.

Here is a few things to have on hand at the House:

1. 2 Buckets: The size and type is up to you. We use 2, 6quart, Stainless Steel buckets. One is for very warm soapy water for washing the doe and you (refreshed often if you have help). One is for warm water with Molasses in it for the doe when she is done kidding. The 6 quart size is plenty big for the need yet small enough to let the children or Grandchildren help and keeps them busy.
2. Molasses: Covered above
3. Old "clean" Blankets: You can get these at yard sales and Thrift stores. Store them in Plastic bags. They come in very handy to lay the kids on, wrap kids in, or yourself in, while waiting, if it's cold.
4. Extra Flashlight Batteries: Does love to kid when the power goes off!
5. Canned Goats Milk: Canned goats milk is a great additive to your own does milk for the first feeding or two if she is not producing enough for everyone. Mixed 50/50 with the does own milk makes a rich milk and filling for the kids. We have been in goats since 1957 and have tried many things. This one works and is quick. Again, the thing with raising livestock is that you pass on what works well for you, try what has worked well for others, and settle on what works best for your animals.
6. Take your rings and Bracelets off before going to the barn just incase you need to reach inside of the doe. It is a good idea to have a container with a tight fitting lid in your kidding kit in the barn in case you forget to remove them before you get there.

There are many more things that you may need, rather things go well or not during kidding, but they are personalized items and usually kept on hand by breeders after a few kiddings. This page is intended to give the very basics of what is needed. If you have a question please feel at ease to E-Mail us.