If you remember I posted a question asking how long after the goat's bag filled, would she give birth. Well, that was a MONTH ago! My 6 year old pregnant Lamanca Goat has had milk for 1 MONTH and three days, and still hasn't given birth! Is this normal or is there something wrong with her? It starting to get cold here in Minn. and still no kids. In fact its starting to get tempting every day going out to the barn and seeing at least 5 quarts of milk staring me in face! Too bad its colostrum! Thanks for any advice!

-- Chandler in Minnesota (Providencefarms2001@yahoo.com), November 23, 2001

Answers

Response to 4 Weeks and Counting !!!

find Vicky's email or go to Breeders world and they have a goat forum, it is really not too active but the Sheep(sheep forum) people will answer for you. I raise sheep, one of my ewes lost a baby prematurely and she had milk. I milked her out for the colustrum to use on other lambs. My point is, are you sure she did notlose the baby and a coyote got it. I know that sounds morbid but they have killed calves on my property until I received a few brain cells and bring the cows due close to the house and watch.. Good Luck, but if you need infor go to Breeder World and plug in on the goat and sheep forums for advice.

-- Debbie (bwolcott@cwis.net), November 23, 2001.

Response to 4 Weeks and Counting !!!

No, her womb is HUGE still, and her stomach muscles are are very tight and she has stayed in the barn for two weeks , and we don't have problems with predators (yet), but we have Geese so they seem to scare away my 80 lb. dogs so I doubt that a coyote would be able to get in the barn without them knowing, and honking madly! Thanks though!

-- Chandler (Providencefarms2001@yahoo.com), November 23, 2001.

Response to 4 Weeks and Counting !!!

Chandler go back to the Fiasco Farm site and review the information. A huge udder doesn't cut it unless it is tight and shiny. Tail ligiments aren't ready until your fingers pressed in them touch on both sides to the tail web. Her tail will look soft and floppy, nearly like she has no control over it. Her vulva will be soft and poofy with new pink skin showing. Then you can start pacing! Dollars to donuts she kids while you are away! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), November 23, 2001.

The first year we had kids, I wore my self out watching one goat in paticular. For over a month she looked like that kid was just going to pop out any second ( to me that is) I'd sit in her stall staring at her vulva, I didn't want to miss a thing. Since then I watch the signs that Vicki suggested and am a little more relaxed. Hope you've got kids by now.

-- sherry (chickadee259@yahoo.com), November 24, 2001.

hee hee hoo hoo! I'm a midwife, and it is interesting to read all these concerns. I am sure I will be on pins and needles in January. One of my old clients who wants to apprentice with me says she is scared to death of her goats birthing, and says she'll probably call me. I laughed and told her "I don't know nothing about birthin' no kids!" and said it is good practice to see if she can cut it as a midwife.

But, as a midwife....in humans, some women do that before the birth a while....get large and look like they are nursing already. some don't. most don't, actually, only a bit. might not goats be the same?

-- marcee (thathope@mwt.net), November 25, 2001.

Chandler, I'm going through the absolute opposite of what you are. I have a doe who is theortically due in 2 weeks (a witnessed breeding). It was during a heat wave and she has not looked the least bit bred until about 2 weeks ago. Now she's as big as a house, but she has still not bagged at all. Talk about waiting till the last minute!!! I've had does bag almost tight up to a month before hand. I've also had does that never stopped being bagged, even though I stopped milking. They aren't bagged tight. When a woman is due, she drops when the baby engages. With goats, the same sort of thing happens, causing the doe to look hollowed out a bit just in front of her hips. I think it was Vicky who described the soft, mushy appearance of the vulva and tail very accurately. And the last true hint as to when she will give birth is when you are most inconvenienced and are least expecting it!! Ain't this fun! Let us know how many and when!

-- Sheryl in Me (radams@sacoriver.net), November 25, 2001.