How to Help Goats Give Birth

Wild animals know what to do naturally when it comes time to give birth. It is a dangerous time that could result in animal fatality. Every animal and every single birth is different. When it comes to your domesticated animals, you can improve their chance of having a successful birth by educating yourself and being prepared for emergencies.

Things You'll Need

  • Scissors
  • Veterinarian phone number
  • Betadine surgical scrub
  • OB lubricant
  • Antibiotics
  • Paper towels
  • Iodine 7 percent solution
  • Plastic cup
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Instructions

    • 1

      Move the doe to a kidding pen when she goes into labor. You can tell she is in labor when she stops eating and becomes unsociable. She will start bleating and turning in circles. The baby should appear within an hour after she starts to push. Let the umbilical cord break away naturally. Use scissors to cut it if it takes more than an hour to break. If the birth is taking too long, the mother might need assistance. Call your veterinarian or someone who has experience with breeding goats to help you if you need to go inside of her. Otherwise, proceed to Step 3.

    • 2

      Wash your arm, hand and the back end of the doe with a disinfectant cleanser. Use OB lubricant and reach inside up to approximately your elbow, depending on your individual size. Pull gently only when the goat pushes and ease each foot out separately, and ease each shoulder out one at a time. Pull out in a downward angle. Give the doe an antibiotic shot over the next few days after performing this procedure.

    • 3

      Have an assistant hold the baby upside down by the back legs to drain fluid from its lungs and so you can clean the kid's mouth and nose with a paper towel to help it breathe easier. Pour iodine into a plastic cup, and then hold the baby belly-down and dip the umbilical cord in the iodine. Place the kid next to the mother's head so she can lick it clean. Licking is important at this stage, as it is the initial bonding that both mother and baby need in order to recognize each other.

    • 4

      Squeeze the mother's teats to be sure the colostrum is not plugged. If it is plugged, squeeze them hard until the plugs come out. The baby should be nursing about an hour after it is born. If it isn't nursing by this time, hold the teat and squirt a little bit of milk on its face to encourage it. Continue offering the teat until the kid is successfully nursing.