Kidding

Here are photos of a very normal birth, in which a small amount of assistance was provided. We use clean, empty grain bags to catch the kids and as much of the birth fluids as possible to try to keep the stalls clean.

Roni was shorn a few weeks before this kidding. Shearing prior to kidding helps with visualizing the udder to try to gauge kidding time, and makes the teats more obvious to newborn kids. Mohair ringlets can easily be mistaken for teats by newborn kids who may look like they are drinking, but not be getting colostrum.

Roni in early labor showing a vaginal discharge string and the typical “pump handle” angle of her tail that signals readiness for labor.

This kid is presented in the classic, easiest to deliver position, nose and both hooves forward (sometimes called the “diving” position). One hoof and the nose are visible here; the other hoof is hidden by the nose. The amniotic sack had already popped, making it easy to visualize the presenting parts.