Is my doe in labor?

[Fields Mountain Farm]

When i push down on those sides it feels squishy, i wiggled her tail and it feels kinda loose, but she tenses up too whenever i touch her tail.

I looked for more discharge i dont see any more. Shes just walking around eating. Shes been shoving her head into the hay. Which she never would do before. Then just go back to her pen nd ly down for a couple hours then walk around and eat again.

It really sounds like she's getting close. But only time will tell.
Its not uncommon for one to want to snack off and on while in labour. It wont hurt her and will give her energy when it gets close to delivery.
Make sure she drinks water periodically but don't leave a bucket of water in the stall where she can back up to and deliver a kid.
When you see an amber colored discharge, birth is immanent. But it could happen anytime or not for a few days even a wk. Be paitent.. it'll happen.
Best of luck! Im excited for you.

 

[cassie]

Ive tried but i cant figure it out. Its my first time and when i first got her breed i tried feeling the ligaments byt just couldnt get it down to feel them right.

Thanks, shes such a sweet girl!

Don't feel bad about the ligaments. I bred dairy goats for more than 40 years, and I never did get the ligaments thing figured out. Your doe looks like she is starting labor. As labor progresses she will get more restless and will get up and lie down. She will start pawing the bedding. You will see a mucous string. My goats almost always kidded during the day. Very early in the morning or the afternoon were the most popular times.

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

Don't feel bad about the ligaments. I bred dairy goats for more than 40 years, and I never did get the ligaments thing figured out. Your doe looks like she is starting labor. As labor progresses she will get more restless and will get up and lie down. She will start pawing the bedding. You will see a mucous string. My goats almost always kidded during the day. Very early in the morning or the afternoon were the most popular times.

lucky you!
Most of mine picked middle of the night in the nastiest weather..

 

[cassie]

lucky you!
Most of mine picked middle of the night in the nastiest weather..

I once read an article about the timing of kidding in goats. It had something to do with light they were exposed to and when they were exposed to it. Unfortunately, I read it so many years ago I don't remember what it said or even where I read it. I can't tell you how many times I stayed up all night with a doe only to have her kid in the early morning hours. In my own herd, most of the time if a doe was laboring after dark it meant she was in trouble with a malpositioned kid or something. That said, goats are goats, they will do what they feel like and they don't read the books.

 

[thinkyesi]

So i have been checking on her this morning and came out to see this discharge. Could that be her plug?

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

So i have been checking on her this morning and came out to see this discharge. Could that be her plug?View attachment 1668168

Yep.. looks like it too me!

 

[Birdsong 82]

I’ve had one of mine give birth at 11:30 pm and my other one was in the middle of the night. I heard screaming at 5:00 am. I thought the chickens were being attacked. Ran out there and the saw to beautiful clean babies standing there screaming and mama Lucy standing behind them looking exhausted. They hadn’t figured out where to get food. So showed them where mom has their food and all was good
Looks like it’ll be soon!!! Excited for you!

 

[thinkyesi]

Yep.. looks like it too me!

Im so excited! I finally was able to feel the ligaments. And its very squishy. And her flanks are more sunken in now!

 

[thinkyesi]

I’ve had one of mine give birth at 11:30 pm and my other one was in the middle of the night. I heard screaming at 5:00 am. I thought the chickens were being attacked. Ran out there and the saw to beautiful clean babies standing there screaming and mama Lucy standing behind them looking exhausted. They hadn’t figured out where to get food. So showed them where mom has their food and all was good
Looks like it’ll be soon!!! Excited for you!

Thats must've been scary thinking it was your chickens! But thats so cute to be able to go out and just see those sweet little ones.

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

Im so excited! I finally was able to feel the ligaments. And its very squishy. And her flanks are more sunken in now!

Awesome!
It just takes a little practice!

I went back and read that this is your first time with kidding but was wondering if its hers.. if not she'll likely go soon if it is you could still be a few days out.

Thats must've been scary thinking it was your chickens! But thats so cute to be able to go out and just see those sweet little ones.

X2
As much I always loved to be there for a birth I also loved goin out to feed in the morning and finding babies I wasn't expecting dry and bouncin around..