Breeding, Kidding and Milking

Short Birthing Checklist

Lots of towels
Hair dryer and a way to plug it in
Iodine for dipping cord
Scissors for cutting cord shorter if need be
Medical gloves (many pairs)
Bottle and nipples (Pritchard work well)
Selenium for weak kids
Cayenne pepper for weak kids
My phone (doubles as a flashlight)
Lube

Birthing Kit Checklist from Wasilla Lights Farm

~Old bath towels - to dry off baby.  Let mom help if you are dam raising so she

   licks and bonds with baby. 

~Phone numbers to experience goat birther and vet. 

~Empty feed bags - to put down to deliver kids on.

~Paper towels

~Baby Wipes - to wipe kid butts if mama doesn't do a good job. Keep it clean!

   You don't want the poop stopped up.

~Medical gloves - I also have some gloves that go to the elbows, but I haven't

  used them much. 

~Puppy Training Wee Wee pads - to put wet goat babies on. (clean straw/hay is fine too)

~Garbage bag - you'll need it for placenta.

~Flashlight - use it to look at the bubble and see if kids is positioned correctly.

~Scissors - to cut umbilical cord shorter. Some use it to pop bubble, but I  

  usually use a piece of straw. I wouldn't want to cut the kid!

~Surgical Scrub/Wash - in case you have to "go in." 

~Warm water and soap - so you can wash up. 

~OB Lube - Squirt a bit of Betadine on it to add antiseptic qualities in case you

   have to "go in." You'll need LOTS if you have to "go in" and assist kids. Have at least two bottles on hand. 

~7% Iodine - to sterilize knife or scissors as necessary and to dip the umbilical

  cord. Put some in a small container for dipping cord into. 

~Dental floss - I've always tied off the umbilical cord and then cut it smaller so

   mama goat doesn't mess with it.

~Bottle and nipples - in case you need to bottle feed. You can use human

   bottles. Cut the opening bigger with an X in it with scissors. Or Prichard

   nipples which fit on plastic soda bottles. I cut an X in the Prichard nipples

   also. Prichard nipples found here: 

   https://www.jefferspet.com/products/prichard-teat-nipple)  

~Weak Kid Syringe - To feed kid if to weak to nurse on his own. Not needed to

   often.  Weak Kid Syringe found here:

    https://www.jefferspet.com/products/weak-kid-syringe

~Hair Dryer - to help get kid really dry. 

~Goat baby sweater - If it's chilly outside. Kids can't maintain their own temperature for a few days. 

~Goat baby hut - I put 1/2 of a dog kennel in barn for them to crawl under. They like cozy places. 

~Warm mollases water - for mama after kidding. Also give her some grain.

Or offer Oat Water to mamma post kidding or even prior to or during kidding: 

1/2 gallon water, 1 cup oats, 1/3 cup molasses or real maple syrup, 1 teaspoon salt.

Bring water to boil. Add oats, salt ,and molasses. Let cool.

Strain off oats if you want. I usually don't strain. 

~Cayenne Tincture - to support weak kids or cold kids, preferably apple cider vinegar based. 

~Raw Honey - to support weak kids

~Coffee - Very strong for a very weak kid - 3 to 6 cc. I may use this in the absence of cayenne tincture. 

~Colostrum - saved and frozen from a previous CAE-free doe who kidded, just in case. 

~Selenium paste - give to weak kids, just a tad. Found here: 

   https://www.jefferspet.com/products/selenium-vitamin-e-gel-for-goats

~Remember to deworm mamma post kidding.

~Give Mama fortified vitamin b with thiamin for a couple days. Make sure it fortified with

   thiamin!!  Found here:  https://www.jefferspet.com/products/vitamin-b-complex-gel-30gm 

  Fortified b paste usually works but sometimes you need the injectable Fortified b: Found here: 

  https://www.jefferspet.com/products/fortified-vitamin-b-complex-100-ml

~Collect and freeze some of doe's colostrum to be used in emergencies in future. 

~Enjoy those kids!