The time is officially here – we’re preparing for baby goats! Below details how we’re putting together the goat kidding kit.
We’re potentially days (or weeks) away from welcoming baby goats to the farm! Goats generally have a due date range of about 5 days, but seeing as Fran was pen bred, we have a due date range of about 3 weeks. This is our first time preparing for baby goats, so I’ve been in major nesting mode. Is it weird to be nesting for baby goats? Probably, but oh well. As the big day approaches, we’ve been buying goat kidding supplies and putting together a goat kidding kit. Below recaps all of the details!
Goat kidding supplies
Seeing as we’re new to goat kidding, we’ve been soaking up all of the information that we can get. We’ve been taking an online course about goat kidding, so goat birth videos have become a staple in this house! We also set up a security camera (and this microphone) in the goat house and linked it to a flat screen tv in our bedroom. We basically have a live stream tv of romping goats, which has been an equal combination of creepy and entertaining. In all seriousness – the security camera might sound excessive, but we can’t take a chance of missing the birth. Chicago weather is still SO cold, and if we don’t dry the babies off quickly enough, then they’ll likely die of hypothermia. If you’re buying goat kidding supplies and/or putting together a goat kidding kit, then you need some sort of monitor ASAP.
(Side note – Nope, that chicken should NOT be there, but that’s what happens when you have naughty chickens)
Putting together a goat kidding kit
If you’re new to goats, then you might be wondering about putting together a goat kidding kit. A kidding kit includes all of the necessary supplies for labor and delivery. It’s important to have emergency items on hand in case any complications occur as well.
Gloves: Birthing is messy, get gloves.
Bulb Syringe: Just like human babies, sometimes goat kids need a little help clearing out the mucus. When putting together a goat kidding kit, don’t forget the bulb syringe.
Towels: Mama will lick the babies to dry them off, but due to the cold weather, she’ll need some help. We have towels to dry off the babies immediately after birth.
Hair Dryer: After toweling the kids off, use a hair dryer to make sure they’re 100% warm and dry to prevent hypothermia
Heat Lamp: A heat lamp will keep those babies nice and warm. (Any external heat source is always a fire hazard, so please be careful!)
Battery Powered Lanterns: Ben ran electricity out to the goat house, but if you don’t have electricity, then you’ll probably want a few lanterns on hand!
Iodine: Iodine is a safe and natural antiseptic to prevent infections. Have scissors on hand to cut the umbilical cord (only if necessary); dip umbilical cord stump in iodine solution.
Emergency Items
Thermometer: In case you need to take temperatures, have a thermometer on hand.
Pritchard Nipples & Bottles: We aren’t planning to bottle feed, but we have bottles, powdered colostrum & kid milk replacer available just in case.
Calcium Drench & Oral Drencher Kit
Wish us luck on our first baby goat experience! I’ll be posting updates on my Instagram stories, so be sure to check in!