How to Help a Pygmy Goat Give Birth

The African Pygmy goat, which is smaller than the standard goat (as its name implies) is primarily raised for show or for petting zoos. They are friendly and good-natured, making them particularly good pets. They are meat goats, although they do produce milk commensurate with their size and feed. With an average gestation of 145 to 155 days, they can give birth to as many as four calves every 9 to 12 months.

Things You'll Need

  • Vaccines
  • Feed
  • Bedding
  • Newspaper
  • Towel
  • 7 percent iodine
  • Antibiotics
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Double the doe's usual amount of food beginning about 3 ½ months into her pregnancy.

    • 2

      Vaccinate the doe about one month before her due date. This is generally best left to your vet.

    • 3

      Do not trim her feet and try not to transport the goat during the last few weeks of pregnancy. Basically you need to keep her stress levels as low as possible.

    • 4

      Prepare a separate pen for the doe to use when giving birth.

    • 5

      Watch for early signs of labor beginning about 10 days prior to the due date. The doe's teats will look shiny and full as they fill with colostrum about a day before the birth. You can also look for slackening of rump muscles. The doe may also paw at her bedding in a nest-building way.

    • 6

      Prepare the doe for delivery by washing her genitals with udder wash.

    • 7

      Look for the loss of the thick white mucus plug that will signal the beginning of cervix dilation.

    • 8

      Watch the color and amount of discharge closely. When the doe enters final stages of labor the discharge becomes large. Her water may or may not break.

    • 9

      Look for the signs of the final stage of labor. The doe will have labor pains about 2 minutes apart. She will begin to strain and her ears will stand out and lips will curl.

    • 10

      Check for normal presentation of the calf. If the calf presents with the head lying on the forelegs and its back toward the doe's back, or with both rear legs first and back toward doe's back the doe should not need extra assistance.

    • 11

      Look for signs that the doe is having trouble. She may begin pushing then get up and stop her labor then lie back down, or repeatedly get up and down arching her back. Look for a rusty discharge. In addition if you can see parts of the doe but there is no progress despite hard straining by the doe there may be a problem.

    • 12

      Watch for and manage any abnormal presentations. If the calf presents headfirst with one foreleg, reach in an pull the other foreleg forward for normal delivery. If presentation is headfirst with no forelegs, push the head back in and pull both legs out, followed by the head. For a breach, with hocks first, reach in and pull out both rear legs so they come out hoof first. If the rump comes out before the hocks you will have to push the rump in before pulling out the rear legs. If the calf is presenting front feet first with head upside down it can be delivered, but might be more comfortable if you rotate the calf 180 degrees. The most difficult presentation to correct is feet first with head thrown back, you will have to reach in and find the head by following along the body. Pull the head forward and keep it forward as you pull on the front legs. If you see two heads with one set of feet you can correct it by pushing the less advanced head back, then follow the neck and body of the forward head until you match its legs and pull them out. Finally with mismatched head and feet push the second kid's feet back and find the correct feet and pull them out.

    • 13

      Expect a second kid, if there is one, about 20 to 30 minutes after the first delivery. While the mother is giving birth the second time, dry off the first calf with newspapers then with a towel.

    • 14

      Clean any fluids from the nose and mouth.

    • 15

      Wipe 7-percent iodine solution on the naval.

    • 16

      Wipe antibiotics on any tears.