What are symptoms of a goat going into labor?
About a week to 10 days prior to kidding, your goat’s udder should be bagging up and filling with colostrum. A whitish or stringy discharge or the loss of a mucous plug is usually seen within 24-48 hours prior to kidding. She may also seem uncomfortable or restless. Make sure she has a clean, dry stall to kid in away from the rest of the herd. Other goats will be curious and may be intrusive. There is also the possibility of another goat trying to “play” and injuring a new kid. Kidding usually takes place in the evening and you may want to check her regularly starting in mid afternoon. Have some clean towels to dry kids and some iodine to dip the navels after birth. I try to stay with my does while kidding to assist if necessary. Pygmies especially can run into problems with actual delivery. As labor begins, you may also notice her arching and flattening her back. They will noticeably start pushing when contractions are steady and strong. Labor should progress fairly quickly. Twins or
