In most cases, lambing in a goat passes without complications, but when they occur, the owner should be able to help both the woman in labor and the fetus in time. What should be considered during labor, and what problems are possible we will consider in the article below.
Running a goat before giving birth
Launching a goat is a reduction in the number of milkings in order to stop lactation before giving birth. This is a necessary measure that allows the animal to recover and gain strength before lambing and a new lactation period. Starting from the second month of pregnancy, the fetus actively grows, taking the necessary nutrients from the mother's body.
If you do not stop lactation, colostrum will not physically accumulate in the udder, and it will be unprepared for feeding the offspring. Postpartum milk production is entirely dependent on the timely launch of the goat.
Run the launch, taking into account the rules:
- start a fattened goat no later than 1 month before the expected lambing date;
- start the launch of an animal with a lean physique in 2-3 months;
- you must not abruptly quit milking the goat, gradually reduce the number of milking per day, and then per week;
- do not empty the udder completely - it is enough to milk 75% of the milk;
- with a single milk yield less than 250 ml of milk, the milking is completely curtailed.
If the amount of milk does not decrease, reconsider the diet of the animal, and reduce the amount of succulent feed, salt, which increases lactation.
Lambing terms
The duration of gestation in a goat is 147 to 152 days. Lambing most often occurs between October and March.
Signs of childbirth in a goat
Before giving birth, the goat behaves differently, changes are noticeable in appearance. Signs of approaching lambing include:
- Udder swelling and teat temperature rise.In primiparous females, the udder swells about a month before the appearance of offspring, in those giving birth again, before giving birth.
- Swelling of the external genitals. A slight swelling is noticeable.
- Divergence of the pelvic bones.The sacral ligaments soften and depressions form at the caudal base.
- Profuse discharge.Their color should not be white or yellow. Normally, the discharge is transparent, it may contain blood streaks.
- Nervous behavior.The goat may bleat, find no place for itself, often glance at the stomach, refuse to eat.
Females who have lambing for the first time are especially worried. When standing next to other individuals in front of a lamb, the goat can show aggression towards them.
In the video presented, see the main signs of the onset of labor in a goat:
Preparing for lambing
As the expected date of birth approaches, preparatory measures are required. These include:
- 12-15 weeks before lambing, carry out antiparasitic treatment;
- in 4-8 weeks, apply measures to stop lactation and make changes in the diet of the animal;
- disinfect, whitewash and prepare the room in 6 weeks;
- transfer the goat to a prepared separate pen within 4-5 weeks;
- During the week before giving birth, pay special attention to the female to check for prenatal signs.
Provide dry and clean bedding for your barn. The female herself will move the straw so that it is convenient for her during lambing. Do not bother the goat once again, do not raise your voice at it, and even more so do not use force. Now she needs peace and quiet, so leave the animal alone for a while.
It will not be superfluous to prepare a veterinary first-aid kit, which should contain the following components:
- syringes;
- gloves;
- oxytocin (to stimulate labor);
- rope;
- soap;
- iodine, etc.
After a week from the cessation of lactation, remove the dietary restrictions on this matter. Now the goat needs good nutrition to provide the fetus with the necessary substances and a set of strength before lambing. Do not forget about the vitamin and mineral complex and the constant availability of clean water in the pen.
Lambing duration
The duration of lambing depends on the number of previous births, the number of kids born and the duration of the prenatal period:
- The first lambing in a young individual lasts up to 1.5 hours.
- Re-giving birth goats go through this process in 40-45 minutes.
- With multiple pregnancies, the difference between the birth of kids can be 10-30 minutes. Complications can drag out time.
How is labor going?
Goat births involve the passage of 3 periods:
- Preparatory. It is characterized by the setting of regular contractions. During this period, uterine contractions rush the amniotic fluid to the neck, which gradually opens under pressure. When the cervix is fully opened at the peak of the contraction, the fetal bladder ruptures, and the amniotic fluid comes out.
The preparatory period is especially painful, so the animal shows obvious anxiety. Its duration is 4 to 6 hours. - Removal of the fetus. When the cervix is open, the goat starts to struggle. With their help, the fetus moves through the birth canal. When a kid appears at the genital crevice - teething of the fetus - attempts reach a maximum level. With the next effort, the baby is born. The process takes from 10 to 40 minutes.
When two kids are born, the first comes out in the head position when the head is pressed against the outstretched front legs, and the second is in the breech position. The umbilical cord normally breaks off itself when a newborn or a woman in labor moves.
Usually, the goat spends this entire period lying on its right side. Attempts cause tension to the entire body of the animal, and in this position the sacrum is more mobile, which facilitates the passage of the fetus. - Serial.20-60 minutes after the birth of the goat, the uterine cavity is cleared under the influence of contractions. The placenta is rejected from the walls of the uterus and exits along with the afterbirth and the remnants of the amniotic fluid. The traces of each fetus during multiple pregnancies come out separately.
If the afterbirth is not removed, the goat will eat it. It is not dangerous for her, but it can cause gastrointestinal upset.
Checking the placenta
When the placenta leaves, check it for integrity. The presence of holes in its structure indicates that its part has grown to the wall of the uterus and only a veterinarian can remove it. If this is not done, then decomposition processes will begin in the uterus, which will lead to suppuration, bleeding and other complications.
Complications of lambing
The birth of a goat is not always easy, it so happens that it is complicated by expected or unforeseen reasons. There are three main reasons for complications in lambing:
- Weak labor activity.
- Narrow pelvis.
- Incorrect placement of the fetus in the womb.
Knowing the reasons, a person in most cases is able to independently help the animal.
The afterbirth did not come out
After lambing, a situation may arise when the rejection of the placenta by the uterus is delayed for more than 6 hours, and the afterbirth cannot come out. The bubble continues to hang from the back, and the condition of the goat raises concerns.
It is strictly forbidden to cut off the hanging bubble or pull on it, trying to pull it out.
In this case, you need to help the animal like this:
- To stimulate uterine contractions and limit the development of pathogenic microflora, one cannot do without oxytocin and an antibiotic (Gentamicin is suitable). Injections are carried out 2 times a day intramuscularly, 1.5 ml for 5-7 days.
- After the injection, gently but firmly stroke the goat's belly from top to bottom.
- If the placent appears, hold it with one hand, but do not pull. Continue to massage your abdomen. With a favorable outcome from the tension, the placenta will come out. If that doesn't work, get your veterinarian to see you.
During this period, you can drink the animal with a decoction of nettle and chamomile. They have a calming and hemostatic effect. It is possible to use douching with such a solution or using chlorhexidine.
The fruit does not come out
Retention of the fetus inside indicates the weak muscles of the uterus, which did not have time or could not strengthen before childbirth due to the low physical activity of the goat during pregnancy. The muscles of the uterus are not able to independently cope with the movement of the fetus along the birth canal.
If labor is delayed for more than 12 hours, immediately inject intramuscular oxytocin. If the problem is not solved, then the only way out is the help of a veterinarian. Perhaps an indication for a caesarean section. This forced measure is used when the fetus is very large and labor is weak.
The fruit is partially out, but stuck
Fetal jamming in the birth canal is possible in several cases:
- The front legs are bent.In between contractions, gently push the kid inward and straighten the legs by straightening them. During the next contraction, you can slightly sip the fetus by the limbs.
In no case do not pull the kid by the legs if there is no pushing. This can lead to irreparable consequences.
- The fetal head is turned to the side.In the interval of rest between attempts, gently adjust the fetus's head with your hands.
- The kid rested against the wall of the vagina.Wait until the contraction ends and gently push the muzzle away from the vaginal wall.
The baby goat can move along the birth canal with its hind legs forward. This should not cause concern, since it is also the norm, and does not affect the condition of the fetus and mother.
When the fetus is transversely positioned, rotate it into the correct position between contractions, and, holding the legs, help the birth at the next contraction by gentle stretching. This presentation often requires urgent veterinary assistance.
A dead kid is born
It so happens that the born kid turns out to be dead. There are many reasons for this:
- Fetal infection during pregnancy.
- Mechanical damage in the womb from an injury to the stomach of a goat. This is possible when the female is kept in a common herd during pregnancy, in case of any fall, etc.
- Lack of nutrition for the fetus and its freezing.
- Early discharge of amniotic fluid.
- Weak labor, resulting in asphyxia.
- Failure to provide assistance with lambing.
With this outcome of labor, you need to make sure that there is no fetus left inside and the uterine cavity is clean. To do this, invite a veterinarian. After the examination, it will become clear whether the goat needs additional veterinary assistance or whether it is enough to simply optimize the care and diet.
If you do not take measures, the animal can die from infection and poisoning of the body with decomposition products of biomaterial, or die from blood loss.
Premature lambing
Premature birth in a goat can have two outcomes: a miscarriage (dead fetus) or a weak but viable kid. Before giving birth, the animal is anxious, may look weak, and the pulse slows down. Give the goat an aphrodisiac: coffee, beer, wine. This can stabilize her condition.
Followed by miscarriage
Miscarriages are divided into:
- Infectious -the reason lies in viral or bacterial infection.
- Non-infectious - they are provoked by mechanical damage, developmental anomalies, poor quality nutrition, and poisoning.
If premature birth has occurred in a goat, then an important point is the exclusion of infections that are dangerous to humans and other animals. To do this, you need to conduct special blood tests of the goat and fetus in the laboratory.
Tests that are free from infections show that the animal did not receive optimal care and nutrition during pregnancy. Caring for a goat after a miscarriage should not differ from the measures taken after a successful birth. Milking is possible, since lactation after premature lambing is not suppressed.
Below is a video describing the premature birth of a goat:
The goat is alive, but weak
At the birth of premature or weakened kids, urgent measures must be taken. Newborns are at risk of low blood sugar and dehydration, so the first colostrum feeding should be done no later than half an hour after birth.
The room should be warm enough to keep the animals cool. This must be taken care of in advance.
A weak kid in most cases requires human help. Feed him colostrum through a regular baby bottle. For this:
- Strain your food.
- Place your baby in your lap with a towel or clean cloth over it.
- Cover the kid's eyes and bring the nipple to his mouth. Position the bottle so that the newborn's neck is slightly extended while sucking. This will allow colostrum to flow directly into the second chamber of the stomach.
- If the baby is actively sucking on the nipple, then pat him on the tail. Under natural conditions, the goat does this by guiding the child and forcing him to suck more actively.
- If the kid is so weak that it cannot suck colostrum on its own, take measures so that the food itself drips into its mouth.
In an emergency when the litter is on the verge of life and death, perform the following procedures to help it recover:
- Give an intramuscular injection of vitamin E and selenium. Inject 2 ml of solution using an insulin syringe or a conventional sterile disposable syringe and rub the injection site to accelerate the spread of substances. This procedure will strengthen the body of the goat.
- If the weakness of the newborn is due to the action of cold, urgently warm him with a hair dryer, heating pad or bottle of warm water. With hypothermia, the baby's tongue also becomes cold. Massage the body, imitating the movements of the mother. When the goat is warm, feed it.
- Another emergency method of rewarming a newborn is to create a warm nest from water bottles or heating pads. Place the goat in it and cover it, making sure that its head is in an elevated position. After half an hour, the baby should warm up.
All of these measures and procedures are applicable to premature kids. The only difference is that you will have to bottle feed them for the first couple of weeks, because they themselves cannot even get up.
What to do with lactation? What complications can there be?
With any outcome of lambing, the goat starts lactation. Distributing it or provoking a curtailment of milk production depends on the condition of the animal after childbirth.
In order not to develop udder inflammation, it is necessary to prevent its appearance. The causes of mastitis include:
- unfavorable conditions of detention, consisting in a cold, damp pen, drafts, contaminated litter, etc.;
- violation of sanitary norms and milking techniques;
- early introduction of concentrated feed, imbalance in the diet;
- inflammation in the uterus, birth canal will inevitably go to the udder;
- udder injury.
There are 4 types of mastitis:
- Subclinical (hidden). It is necessary to monitor the manifestation of such inflammation, since it can become chronic. Latent mastitis is characterized by:
- the presence of small seals in the udder;
- blood-streaked milk clots at the start of milking;
- pink milk;
- mucus and flakes remaining on the gauze after filtering milk.
- Acute. Without treatment, it leads to udder decay, the development of gangrene and the death of the animal. Its signs:
- very hard udders;
- the udder acquires a red-burgundy color, turns blue over time;
- udder temperature and overall temperature rise;
- when pressed, a red liquid oozes from the nipple instead of milk.
- Chronic.It occurs with insufficient treatment of acute mastitis, or with complications of false inflammation of the udder.
- Imaginary.Often, swelling and coarsening of the udder without secretions of blood and clots during milking are taken as mastitis. Milks are falling. Prevention measures are reduced to frequent milking and the use of diuretics. Rubbing and massage of the udder in this case are unacceptable.
Treatment of udder inflammation involves the use of antimicrobial, pain relieving and antiphlogistic drugs, antibiotics and oxytocin. Moreover, it is advisable to use drugs in the intramuscular form of administration, and not in the oral form.
Possible antibiotics: Ceftriaxone, Nitox, Doreen. When using them, Nystatin is used in parallel. It is possible to use solutions for introduction inside the udder through the teat opening, for example, Mastiet-Forte or Tetra-Delta. During treatment, exclude succulent feed and concentrates in the goat's diet.
The goat got sick
It is not uncommon for the female's condition to deteriorate during or after childbirth: weakness appears, heart rate increases or decreases, etc. If no action is taken, the life of the animal will be in jeopardy.
During childbirth
A deterioration in the well-being of a goat during childbirth is a frequent manifestation. The animal may experience fatigue when the labor process is delayed. Offer her some sweet water or coffee.
Perhaps the manifestation of signs of prenatal paresis, in which you need to immediately take action. The disease, which occurs due to a decrease in calcium and glucose in the blood, can spread very rapidly, so for any sign, call your veterinarian rather quickly.
Antenatal paresis is manifested by such factors, manifested in growth:
- Change in gait, up to dragging.
- Decreased activity due to inability to raise the back and stand on the hind legs.
- The goat begins to move on its knees, there is a problem of support on the front legs.
- Shivering appears, but appetite remains good.
- Worsening of appetite, refusal of food.
- A coma manifests itself: the animal lies with an extended S-shaped neck, eyes closed, limbs are cold.
First aid to the animal before the arrival of the veterinarian is to carry out the following measures:
- Don't milk the goat.
- Inject 10 ml of calcium gluconate intramuscularly into each leg.
- Intramuscular injection of 2 ml of Tetravita.
- Massage the back and limbs of the goat using any warming compound.
- Cover the animal to keep warm.
After childbirth
During this period, the immune system cannot 100% protect a weak body and very often inflammation of the udder or uterus, vagina. They must be treated on time in order to prevent their transition to a chronic form. The milk productivity of the goat and its ability to bear offspring in the future depends on this.
The most dangerous disease leading to a gradual paralysis of the whole body is postpartum paresis. If you do not take measures for its treatment, the same as with antenatal paresis, the goat will die.
The only difference in the treatment of postpartum paresis is the ability to inflate the udder.
Do you need human help?
It is necessary to monitor the condition of a pregnant goat from the 3rd month of pregnancy. If the female feels well, approaches the upcoming birth in a healthy state, then the help of a person may not be required. Although it happens that even under such conditions, lambing is difficult, and without assistance, the female and the fetus die.
The goat breeder should be on the lookout to help the animals lamb when needed. The recovery of the female in the postpartum period largely depends on the conditions created by man. The survival of kids is sometimes only possible thanks to the efforts of the breeder.
What to do after lambing?
After lambing and goat, her offspring need careful care. How quickly the animals get stronger depends on the conditions created by man.
Goat handling and care
When the goat is born, the goat gets to its feet and licks the baby, clearing it of mucus. You can help her by wiping the baby with a clean rag. Clean his mouth by inserting a finger into it and wiping it inside with a cloth. Cut the umbilical cord at a distance of 10 cm from the kid's belly, and treat it with a manganese solution or brilliant green.
To stimulate the baby's lungs, it is enough to blow lightly on his nose. While moving the front legs of the animal.
The kids are left with their mother or put in separate cages, which are made of plastic or wood. It is advisable to make the bottom of a shallow grate and cover it with straw. Clean at least 2 times a day.
The procedures necessary to carry out with kids:
- when the kids turn 3 days to a week, disinfect;
- 7 days - vaccination against enterococcus, repeat after 14 days;
- 1 month - the beginning of taking anti-coccidial drugs and antiparasitic prophylaxis;
- 6 weeks - vaccination against clostridiosis, repeat on day 25;
- 3 months - vaccination against foot and mouth disease, anthrax and smallpox.
Goat care
Goat nutrition so far should consist of hay and dried herbs, so as not to provoke a sharp production of milk and the occurrence of problems with lactation. Gradually introduce concentrated feed and vitamin and mineral supplements.
Clean the barn where the goat is kept daily. This is the main prevention of animal infection and udder inflammation.
Milk the goat immediately after the birth of the last goat. This is a natural stimulation of uterine contractions and separation of the placenta. After its discharge, tablets are introduced into the uterine cavity, forming a foam upon dissolution, for example, Biometrosanit or its substitutes. On the second day, work out the uterine cavity with antiseptic solutions. If necessary, antibiotics are used.
Remember that when treating an antibiotic, goat milk should not be eaten. It is not recommended to solder them and the kids so that there are no problems with their digestive tract.
First lambing of a goat: what you need to know?
Often, first-calves do not cope with lambing themselves. Due to their inexperience, insufficient preparation of the body, help from a person is required. In addition, the owner himself does not know how the first lamb of his ward will go, therefore it is worthwhile to look more often in the pen, to prepare for possible problems in childbirth.
When does the milk come?
Nature is laid so that immediately after giving birth, the goat begins to produce increased milk. The first two months, hormones constantly increase lactation. The more often the udder is massaged, the more productive the milk yield will become.
The milking procedure should always begin with hygienic udder procedures. It is enough to wash it with water and wipe it dry with a clean rag. It is advisable to lubricate the nipples with ointment or the first drops of milk to avoid cracking. The kids or the breeder can distribute the goat.
The goat is being fed by the kids
When keeping the mother together with the kids, the kids will disturb her up to 12-15 times a day in order to eat. By sucking out some of the milk, they stimulate its additional production.
But, if there are several kids, they may not have enough food, and they will almost constantly begin to suck the udder, competing at the same time. This situation may result in the kids being weakened from lack of food. The goat will be weakened by the lack of rest and the ability to eat normally. In addition, it is possible to cause injuries to the udder from cubs (blows, bites), and the development of inflammation.
There is only one way out - to plant the kids and feed them from the container, milk the goat by hand.
Read the article on how to feed kids.
Hand out
For manual milking of a goat, it is necessary to milk it 5-7 times a day during the first week after lambing. It is desirable that milking takes place at the same time, and that the breaks between milking are not too different. Pay attention to the condition of the animal's udder. If it is hard, you can add another milking, or continue milking 6 times a week.
Once udder hardness and swelling have disappeared before milking, the number of treatments can be gradually reduced. Milking is considered optimal 4 times a day every 6 hours.
With proper literacy, the amount of milk received from one individual per day can reach 7 liters.
False pregnancy
There are cases that under the influence of hormones after ovulation in a goat, a false pregnancy occurs. To distinguish it from true at an early stage by 100% is possible only if the goat did not contact the male. Otherwise, all the signs are of the same type. The animal becomes calmer, gains weight, its belly grows, but at the end of such a pregnancy, only water comes out.
To control and exclude false pregnancies, it is necessary to keep a diary of goats and goats lambing.
How many kids do goats bring?
The first-born offspring consists of 1 kid, subsequent lambing bring 2-3 kids. In some cases, up to 5 babies can be born.
Every breeder encounters a goat lamb. This is a natural and necessary measure for breeding animals. Observing the rules of caring for them, and providing the goat with the necessary diet, the breeder provides himself with a healthy livestock. Knowing all the nuances and methods of prevention and combating possible difficulties, you can not be nervous to expect replenishment in the herd.