As spring approaches, the anticipation of new life fills the air on farms across the country. For goat owners, this means getting ready for kidding season. Preparing for this exciting time with a well-equipped kidding kit will help ensure the well-being of the dam, the kids, and your anxiety level.
The Kidding Kit
Gloves:
Long, elbow length, disposable gloves are great to have on hand. Sometimes kids get stuck in an improper birthing position and require manipulation (ie. you) to get them back into the right position. There are two birthing positions for normal delivery (1) front legs first with head between the legs and (2) back legs first. Gloves will prevent the transmission of bacteria from you to the doe.
For more information and diagrams on kidding positions, check out this resource from Oklahoma State University.
Lubricant:
If you need to check the birthing position of the kid, use a generous amount of lubricant on the gloves to reduce the risk of injury to the doe and kid. Obstetrical lubricant or even simple vegetable oil is sufficient.
Clean Towels:
Use towels to dry newborn kids and provide warmth. Typically, the doe will clean the kids and you should let her do this because it helps her bond to them. However, if the doe is preoccupied giving birth to another kid, not interested in the kid, or it is very cold outside you should step in with towels to clean and dry the newborn.
Sterile Scissors:
Scissors are useful for cutting the umbilical cord if it doesn’t break naturally or if it’s too long. The umbilical should be about 1-2 inches long. Anything longer poses a risk of infection.
Iodine Solution:
Dipping the umbilical cord stump in iodine helps prevent infection. Do this as soon as possible! The fresh umbilical cord is a direct link to the kid’s body and bacteria in the kidding pen can easily attach to the umbilical cord and cause infections.
Floss:
Use unscented dental floss to tie the end of the umbilical cord to help prevent infection.
Thermometer:
A thermometer is always a useful tool to have on hand. You can use it to monitor the doe’s temperature to help predict when she’s going into labor. It’s also useful for assessing the health of newborn kids. A newborn kid’s body temperature should range between 101°F to 104°F (38.3°C to 40°C). If a newborn kid’s body temperature falls below the normal range, it can indicate hypothermia and measures should be taken to warm the kid gently using clean towels and your own body heat.
Baby Bulb Aspirator:
The aspirator is used for clearing mucus from the airways of newborn kids, ensuring they can breathe freely. Most kids will not need the help of an aspirator. Sometimes, a kid will be stuck in the birthing bag longer than usual causing the kid to breath in fluids. If you see this happening or notice a kid struggling to breathe, place the kid along your forearm and gently swing it upside down a few times. This allows the fluid to come back down into the throat. Then, take the aspirator and suck the fluids out of the nose and throat. Repeat until the kid begins breathing normally or there is no more fluid.
Colostrum Replacement:
Colostrum is the first milk produced by dams immediately after giving birth. Colostrum is rich in essential antibodies and nutrients that pass immunity to kids and support their long-term development. If a kid does not get colostrum in the first few hours of life, it may face long-term health issues. If the newborn kid is unable to nurse from the dam, and you cannot milk colostrum from the dam, use a colostrum replacer. Nothing can fully substitute maternal colostrum but intervention is required if the kid is unable to get it naturally. Check out our guide on bottle feeding to learn more!
Bottle and Nipple:
If the newborn kid is unable to nurse and needs help getting colostrum, you will need to put the maternal colostrum or colostrum replacer into a bottle with a nipple attached. Many people use the red Pritchard nipple but I have found that it flows too quickly for young kids and I use a regular baby bottle instead.
Molasses:
After kidding, the doe may be tired and need a little pick-me-up. Providing molasses can help replenish her energy and aid in her recovery. It is also good for weak kids. Adding a small amount of molasses to a kid’s gums provides an instant energy boost. You can also put molasses on the doe’s teat to encourage the kid to latch.
Headlamp:
Not all births happen during the day and not all kidding pens have electricity. A headlamp will save you so much trouble trying to use a phone or flashlight to see what is happening.
Portable Container:
Lastly, you need to be able to carry your kidding kit with you to wherever your dam is and have all your tools easily accessible. A plastic bin with a lid and handles works great.
In addition to assembling a kidding kit, goat owners should also prepare a clean, warm, and dry area for kidding. We also recommend having the phone number of a trusted goat expert or veterinarian available in case of emergencies.
A well stocked kidding kit will not only help your dam and kid(s) but give you peace of mind that you have all the tools nearby for whenever a birth occurs.