Another goat kidding question

[lilfarmgirl]

Hi, I have been watching this post and decided to chip in. I am in the same situation, but at least it won't be as cold here (just -20 as the coldest). This is our first kid/kids, and the doe is my daughters show goat. I do have a heat lamp, sweatshirts and socks for the ears, but to be honest I am scared to death that the babies will freeze before we can get them dressed. I plan on helping her dry them off if she will let me, if not at least hold the lamp close enough to them so they dry. I figure that is all I can do if I can't get near them. I went out this morning and she is full, but there is a tad bit of give still when I felt her udder. I keep telling her saturday would be best or after, but I do not think she is listening. Good luck to you and stay warm!

 

[lilshadow]

No kid's so far. I am lucky so far. I am hoping she can hold off until it starts warming up over the weekend. It is -24 with a wind chill of -41 degrees. I am afraid that all of my animals will be frozen. I am going to bundle up, and go check on them all. Wish me luck that she hasn't delivered now.

 

[FarmerChick]

I hope all goes well.
did you say -41? Holy moly that is just unreal to me! whew.




And another thing-----this is not about you----just general info to anyone reading.

If you live in harsh winter conditions, never BREED for the kidding to fall into this time. Plan a breeding to fall in optium weather for your area. But of course this depends on your area.

I know some buy goats bred and we have no control....but if you do have control.....remember what the weather will be like 5 months down the road when they kid out. Just good common sense.

 

[BeardedChick]

Lil, just wishing you luck. Hopefully your goat will hold off.

 

[Fudgie]

Wow I am reading this and thinking I am sort of in the same boat. We have hay bales set in front of the pens to block the drafts but it is still dern cold out there. I have a heatlamp ready (with a LONG extension cord) but still worry that she will kid while I am not there. I will use whatever I have to keep them toasty and warm. By the way, mine was not planned either, bought her this way! I agree don't plan on kidding in this weather! UGH!

 

[Cara]

Quote:
This may sound insane, but it's a cowboy tip from the north. If it is really cold when your goat kids, duct tape the kids' ears to their heads. This will help prevent frostbite.

 

[Fudgie]

and what happens when the tape needs to come off? RIPPPPPPP the hair off? How do you do that easily?

I agree it sounds like a great way to prevent frostbite but I wonder about removal.

 

[Fudgie]

edited double post! Sorry!

 

[Cara]

Mineral oil. It's not pretty, but it works

 

[Western Chick]

OKay...I don't want to sound mean or bossy but most of the people who have posted here have NO CLUE how stinkin' cold it is out there right now. Animals do not acclimate to this type of cold. If they're healthy and well-cared for they survive but they do not acclimate.

I lost a doe kid out of my favorite girl last night...lets just say I'm slightly mad at myself. The bottom line is goats can show all the signs of labor and do nothing or they can show nothing and then pop out a kid in the dead of night. You just need to be ready. This girl's due date is still two weeks off (according to the guy I bought her from- not doing that again). She was showing no signs of being close as of 9:30 last night. At 5:30 AM there was a frozen solid kid and doe in the early stages of hypothermia.


Lilshadow- pray that your doe waits until Saturday...that's when it's supposed to get decent out there. In the mean time move her to a warmer area if you can...not the house, that's too warm and too stressful. We're lucky enough to have a heated milk-house that is kept just above freezing, that would be ideal. If that's not possible set her up in a small kidding pen- 4x8 or so with lots of straw bedding. Put a heat lamp there if you can do it safely (well secured).


Be on alert, check your doe every couple hours if possible. Make sure she has good hay and warm water---that will keep the rumen going, kind of like a little furnace. Have clean dry towels and a hair dryer nearby. If she kids you won't have time to go get them before the baby freezes.

Don't worry about the ears at this point- a kid can live with short ears.

FarmerChick- I know you're not trying to be critical to those of us that breed goats for kidding this time of year but sometimes we don't have a choice. Some goats are seasonal breeders, you breed them when you can, when they're cycling. Breed to late and you miss the cycling or the doe gets overweight and stops ovulating. Also, here in MN you can get -20* any time from November through March---prime kidding time. If someone could give an accurate five-month forcast they'd be rich.