What to have in goat kidding kit?

husker_girl7 · 01-16-2007, 05:05 PM

My two pygmy goats should be kidding sometime in Feb.

(the 8th would be 5 months after they were exposed) and I am trying to get together a "kidding kit" so I can have everything I may need for the big event. These will be my first goat babies so I am totally new to this and will take any and all advice that you guys have to offer. I've had a few suggestions of what to have on hand but want to make sure I've got everything covered ahead of time as there really aren't a lot of places to purchase supplies around here so I'm planning to go on a goat supply buying trip this weekend. When I purchased the girls I was told that they should inf fact be bred but I'm planning on taking both girls in to work sometime next week to have them ultrasounded to make sure that they are indeed bred so I don't waste my time and worry for nothing.

Like I said, it's my first time with this so I'm up for all advice related to kidding. I've read quite a few books and articles, talked to others who breed goats and my vet but still don't feel like I know enough so everybody please toss some of your kidding knowledge my way!!

pennyrain · 01-17-2007, 02:09 PM

A clean pail
mild dish soap
ob lube
towels
iodine for navel dip
frozen colostrum or colostrux powder
bottle
spring valve nipple
vet's phone number handy

That is my list to have for kidding season. Pygmys can be harder I'm told since they are known for having 3 or 4 kids and there is not a lot of room if things need to be moved around. Usually the dairy goats don't need any help. Good luck with your kids!

calicocalgirl · 01-17-2007, 02:11 PM

That sounds about right for a kidding kit.
My parents raised pygmys for a few years. Rarely did they have just one kid. I think more often then not there were triplets.

husker_girl7 · 01-17-2007, 02:26 PM

Triplets?!? Holy

I can't image that there would be room in there for that many babies, these girls are pretty small. Definitely can't wait to see what the ultrasound/x-rays show so I can see how many to expect. I'm going to be a nervous nelly and my vet is going to love my 3 am phone calls! Thanks pennyrain for the list of stuff, I'll go through what I have and make sure it's all there.

QuarterCowGirl · 01-17-2007, 03:48 PM

Where are you from? Is it cold? Will you be keeping them outside?

If so I'd make them little baby goat sweaters! How cute would that be!

I think pennyrain has a good list there for a kit. Good luck and keep us updated!

husker_girl7 · 01-17-2007, 11:11 PM

I'm in Iowa and it is cold so I'll bring them in the house when the time comes. I haven't told my husband this yet, but it's too cold for them outside. I've seen the little goat sweaters and they are so cute

but I've not got the gift for that. I do have some small dog sweaters that I could probably use though, I'm sure Jake wouldn't be sad to see them go.

farmergal · 01-18-2007, 02:51 AM

I'd add a heat lamp to the list. Other wise it looked complete. Unless you have a friend that can be there with you.

Let us know when the big day arrives.

Range · 01-18-2007, 07:18 AM

A feed bag is the best thing to have them deliver on, and then dry with a towel.

You need a snot sucker...you know, one of those bulby things you use to suck snot from human kids? It can be used in case goat kid comes out backwards and you need to try to clear that nose and mouth. Gently...

Stethoscope.

Camera.

Rubber gloves.

pennyrain · 01-18-2007, 11:36 AM

More good ideas, especially the heat lamp. I don't worry about my Toggs unless it is below freezing they are great moms, but if it is really cold I dry the babies thoroghly particularly the ears and put mom and babies in the milk house under a heat lamp. I have used hair blow dryers to make sure they are fluffy. Once they are fluffy they do fine. The mom will get them in a corner after they nurse and then lie down next to them with her body between them and the rest of the room.
I prefer not to have babies until April-more fun, less work and easier on everybody, so I haven't dealt with real cold weather kiddings in a while.
I look forward to your kid pictures. Baby pigmies are absolutely adorable.

husker_girl7 · 01-18-2007, 05:11 PM

Ooh, snot sucker, didn't have that on the list and it's a good one. I've already got a couple of heat lamps that are in their pen in the barn so that's covered. Thanks to everybody for all of your input and I'll let you know what I find out when I get them ultrasounded and I'll be sure to take pictures of the babies!

kindredspiritsia · 01-18-2007, 05:25 PM

As long as you have plenty of dry straw and your barn is not too drafty they should be fine. You can keep them in a small pen with a heat lamp on the colder nights. Just be sure the cords are out of reach as they do explore EVERYTHING with their mouths!
I can't wait to see pics! My babies are almost 4 months old now. I don't think there is anything cuter than a baby goat!

princesskristin · 01-18-2007, 05:26 PM

Good luck with everything, can't wait to see pictures

01-16-2007, 05:05 PM
husker_girl7 Yearling Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 720	What to have in goat kidding kit? My two pygmy goats should be kidding sometime in Feb. (the 8th would be 5 months after they were exposed) and I am trying to get together a "kidding kit" so I can have everything I may need for the big event. These will be my first goat babies so I am totally new to this and will take any and all advice that you guys have to offer. I've had a few suggestions of what to have on hand but want to make sure I've got everything covered ahead of time as there really aren't a lot of places to purchase supplies around here so I'm planning to go on a goat supply buying trip this weekend. When I purchased the girls I was told that they should inf fact be bred but I'm planning on taking both girls in to work sometime next week to have them ultrasounded to make sure that they are indeed bred so I don't waste my time and worry for nothing. Like I said, it's my first time with this so I'm up for all advice related to kidding. I've read quite a few books and articles, talked to others who breed goats and my vet but still don't feel like I know enough so everybody please toss some of your kidding knowledge my way!!

01-17-2007, 02:09 PM
pennyrain Yearling Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: minnesota Posts: 795	A clean pail mild dish soap ob lube towels iodine for navel dip frozen colostrum or colostrux powder bottle spring valve nipple vet's phone number handy That is my list to have for kidding season. Pygmys can be harder I'm told since they are known for having 3 or 4 kids and there is not a lot of room if things need to be moved around. Usually the dairy goats don't need any help. Good luck with your kids!

01-17-2007, 02:11 PM
calicocalgirl Greenbroke Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: inbetweenhere&there, Pa Posts: 3,491	That sounds about right for a kidding kit. My parents raised pygmys for a few years. Rarely did they have just one kid. I think more often then not there were triplets.

01-17-2007, 02:26 PM
husker_girl7 Yearling Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 720	Triplets?!? Holy I can't image that there would be room in there for that many babies, these girls are pretty small. Definitely can't wait to see what the ultrasound/x-rays show so I can see how many to expect. I'm going to be a nervous nelly and my vet is going to love my 3 am phone calls! Thanks pennyrain for the list of stuff, I'll go through what I have and make sure it's all there.

01-17-2007, 03:48 PM
QuarterCowGirl Kid Safe Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ontario, CANADA Posts: 7,423	Where are you from? Is it cold? Will you be keeping them outside? If so I'd make them little baby goat sweaters! How cute would that be! I think pennyrain has a good list there for a kit. Good luck and keep us updated! __________________ I'm a farmer - I'll grow on you.

01-17-2007, 11:11 PM
husker_girl7 Yearling Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 720	I'm in Iowa and it is cold so I'll bring them in the house when the time comes. I haven't told my husband this yet, but it's too cold for them outside. I've seen the little goat sweaters and they are so cute but I've not got the gift for that. I do have some small dog sweaters that I could probably use though, I'm sure Jake wouldn't be sad to see them go.

01-18-2007, 02:51 AM
farmergal Kid Safe Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 6,308	I'd add a heat lamp to the list. Other wise it looked complete. Unless you have a friend that can be there with you. Let us know when the big day arrives. __________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiiHKOLiCG4

01-18-2007, 07:18 AM
Range Kid Safe Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back of Beyond Posts: 6,936	goats A feed bag is the best thing to have them deliver on, and then dry with a towel. You need a snot sucker...you know, one of those bulby things you use to suck snot from human kids? It can be used in case goat kid comes out backwards and you need to try to clear that nose and mouth. Gently... Stethoscope. Camera. Rubber gloves. __________________ "Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it all... you just might get it all, and then some you don't want." Chris Daughtery www.goatsandsoaps.com for all your Boer goat and bath soap needs.

01-18-2007, 11:36 AM
pennyrain Yearling Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: minnesota Posts: 795	More good ideas, especially the heat lamp. I don't worry about my Toggs unless it is below freezing they are great moms, but if it is really cold I dry the babies thoroghly particularly the ears and put mom and babies in the milk house under a heat lamp. I have used hair blow dryers to make sure they are fluffy. Once they are fluffy they do fine. The mom will get them in a corner after they nurse and then lie down next to them with her body between them and the rest of the room. I prefer not to have babies until April-more fun, less work and easier on everybody, so I haven't dealt with real cold weather kiddings in a while. I look forward to your kid pictures. Baby pigmies are absolutely adorable.

01-18-2007, 05:11 PM
husker_girl7 Yearling Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 720	Ooh, snot sucker, didn't have that on the list and it's a good one. I've already got a couple of heat lamps that are in their pen in the barn so that's covered. Thanks to everybody for all of your input and I'll let you know what I find out when I get them ultrasounded and I'll be sure to take pictures of the babies!

01-18-2007, 05:25 PM
kindredspiritsia Started Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,325	As long as you have plenty of dry straw and your barn is not too drafty they should be fine. You can keep them in a small pen with a heat lamp on the colder nights. Just be sure the cords are out of reach as they do explore EVERYTHING with their mouths! I can't wait to see pics! My babies are almost 4 months old now. I don't think there is anything cuter than a baby goat! __________________ In Loving Memory of my Grandpa and Best Friend, Stanley Howard Sherer Oct.3,1932-Mar.25,2007

01-18-2007, 05:26 PM
princesskristin Coming two Join Date: May 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,658	Good luck with everything, can't wait to see pictures __________________