Checked the goats at 3:00 a.m. Lucky Mr. Farmer installed a yard light on my new shed so it is easier to check the herd. I think they are tired of me waking them up so early. I look for goats that are away from the herd, as they often separate themselves when they are ready to kid. However there are always those few who aren't shy and will have their babies right in the middle of the pack. Not good as the new arrivals are then easily stepped on.
As I walk through the herd, I look to see which ones have really dropped in their back end. They become more steep from their hip back, I believe it is a result of their pelvis preparing to deliver kids.
Prior to raising these goats, my only experience in livestock births was with cattle. This experience has helped me when having to assist births, but I expected the goats to give more signs prior to birthing, but I have found they aren't real helpful in that area. It never fails the ones I think are going to kid, don't, and another one will that has fooled me. This is my third year of doing this now, and so I am getting better at recognizing what signs they do give. So if this is your first time kidding goats, look for the drop in the back end, loss of their mucus plug (snowy white mucus verses clear mucus), and then abnormal herd behavior. When they show these signs you are usually within a few days or hours of kidding.
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