Monday, March 4, 2013
Butt Watch 2013 +UPDATE
My does getting puffier every day under her tail ☺ Her ligaments are loosening up ☺ And she is thirstier than normal, is that a sign of impending labor? I haven't heard or read that one before. Every time I give them water she dives in and doesn't come up for awhile. I'm going to take it as a sign but was just curious if any of my wise goat keeping friends had noticed the extra thirst with their does?
UPDATE~~~~~~~~~ Went to check on the goats before leaving to pick up the wee child from school. Miss Lady was sitting in a spot not normal for her. She was panting with her tongue out and yelling Ma Ma nonstop. I immediately thought she's in labor. Lets just say I lost my wits, brains, and common sense for a little while. Rushed around like a crazy person getting everything ready until I realized even the buck was in labor Ha!!! They were hot it was 77* today!!!! This false alarm made me realize that I'm going to need back up LOL!!!!!
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Haven't notice a thirst before but they sure are after the birth. After the baby is cleaned up I will bring a bowl of warm water out. If I have molasses or honey I will mix a little in the water.
ReplyDeleteI have a hard time judging tail ligaments. When the babies drop into birth position you will see an indention behind the ribs and see their hip bones again. Mine kid that day or the next when I see this. You will see a little clear mucus from the vagina to begin with and then a lot. It is clear or opaque to start. When it gets a little pinkish color to it, things are fixing to get serious.
Someone was pooping in the water bucket overnight and I'm betting she refuses to drink until I clean it out, so that would explain the thirst! She doesn't have any discharge yet but things are puffier and her udder is growing a little every day! UGHHH I can't wait!!!!
DeleteLike Mamma bear said, keep butt check'n for a discharge, that's a sure sign that labor is gonn'a happen REAL soon. And if you've been feeling the ligaments (the area on either sides of the tail head, near the lower back of the goat) before, you should notice that they are suddenly "gone" before kidding. Funny about the buck in labor! You need some GOOD sleep there chickie!! Also, watch for "nesting" and pawing at the ground, like she's looking for a spot to hunker down.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about the sleep! I was exhausted last night! Her ligaments are barely there right now, but they have done this before and then tightened back up. I'm letting her go about her normal business but overnight and if I have to leave she will be penned up in the barn!
DeleteOh, and her tail may be held up higher and have a little more pronounced arch to her back.
ReplyDeleteThank you ladies for all the wonderful advise! I need it ☺
DeleteYou must not live far from me; we had the same temps yesterday....and yes, my "watched pot" doe was panting too. It's only a sign of labor if a baby comes out. LOL.
ReplyDeleteYesterday was gorgeous today is cold and very windy! She looked like a woman doing lamaze breathing! Freaked me out!!!!
DeleteY'all crack me up with your 'butt watchin'...Guess I am a bad goat keeper cause I don't do midnight trips to check goats or do the vulva check thing...we keep an eye on ligaments and just let things progress naturally...I don't even have a 'kit' I round up...LOL...I have never dipped cords in iodine or anything like that...Y'all are way more intense than I am...I enjoy reading about y'alls experience with goat kidding..
ReplyDeleteThere is soo much to learn and too much info from books and the internet that I am nervous! Once I get a couple kiddings under my belt I may relax. Until then, I'm a SPAZ LOL!!!!
DeleteIt has been a long time but my Toggenburg doe was all about the water before she gave birth. Or course that was May in Nevada!! I had to watch her though because the day before she gave birth she was sticking her whole head in the water bucket and not coming up for air! She had two beautiful kids though so maybe she was just quirky?? Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI think she was thirsty because someone was pooping in the water over night and she wouldn't drink until I cleaned it LOL!
DeleteHi, Kelly! We are expecting goat kids in June for the first time, and I know I will be a nervous freak! I am hoping I wake up one morning to find adorable, healthy baby goats. I hope all goes well with your goats.
ReplyDelete:)Vicki
Thanks Vicki! My nerves are becoming frazzled! I don't want anything to happen to my doe but I'm also excited for babies! Get ready it's stressful! Wish you lots of luck with your goats too!
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