Signs Your Goat is About to Kid

While every doe is different, there are several physical and behavioral characteristics pointing to baby time.

It’s important to pay close attention to each doe and their personal signs. The biggest signs for my herds include (I’ve bolded the 3 signs I’ve found to be fail safe):

1. The number one sign that has never failed me: The doe suddenly looks gaunt in their top line. Meaning, their spine and hip bones protrude, because the kid(s) have dropped into place. This usually indicates the kids are coming within hours. This has been far more reliable for me than any other sign, even “losing their ligaments”. 
2. Udder that is full and very warm to the touch – this is not always reliable. My older does (and even first time fresheners) don’t always have full, tight udders. 
3. Puffy vulva, elongated vulva (goes from approx. one inch in length to two or even three inches), pinkish vulva. (Pics below) The vulvas can be puffy days prior.
4. Behavior changes. Maybelle usually loves attention and lets me touch her anywhere. Days prior to kidding she wants little to do with me and won’t let me touch her belly or udder. My other does are the opposite. Gemma wants attention and lets me touch her belly and udder as much as I like. 
5. The biggest behavior change is they tend to stay very close to the barn and act nervous, usually standing next to the door, pacing or wanting back inside rather than out with the herd. They could also be more vocal. 
6. When one doe starts eminent labor the other does often yell for me. 

1. Pawing at the ground.
2. Stretching their backs.
3. Star gazing – looking up in apparent wonderment.
4. Chewing at their sides. (This can be for even a couple weeks prior as kids move around)
5. Repeatedly looking towards their butt.
6. Making baby goat sounds – Maybelle sounds just like a baby goat and “talks” to the kids minutes before their birth.
7. Restlessness.
8. Hiding or separating themselves from the herd.
9. Some does eat voraciously just before and if they have access, DURING labor. 

Before

Puffy vulva indicating impending labor, usually within days. 

Another example of swollen, flabby vulva. You can even see a bit of amber fluid.

Sorry about the goat vagina pictures but you’ll have to get used to looking at them when you have does. When my girls start developing puffy vulvas I know I’m on baby goat watch. The puffier, pinker and more human vagina-like the does vulvas start to look I know I need to stay close to home. Then once they get that gaunt look – it’s kidding time within hours. 

Note: After kidding your doe should start healing quickly but you’ll notice days of bloody discharge. Then it will stop but don’t be alarmed if two or three weeks later you suddenly see more bloody discharge for a day or so.