Preparing for Kidding, the kidding stall

Tiss the season ..... of wonderful anticipation, of worry and stress, of joy and bounces, were you are constantly checking your goats behind and ligs (more on that later), and when the most common questions are, "Is she pregnant?", "Is it today?", "How close is she?", "How many are in there?"  It is kidding season.  For me anyway.  Last year my goats kidded starting in February.  Way to early!  Need to wait for warmer weather.  So this year I curbed my buck and doe's enthusiasm, most of them anyway, and planned for kidding in April and later.  (Not all my goats read the memo and so I have one kidding in late March.)  Kidding is such a fun time and to make it as stress less and safe as possible one needs to prepare.  So how do I prepare for kidding?   

First off is ... The Kidding Stall.  This is a stall specifically for the expectant doe.  All her own.

Purpose:

1.  Safety - You need a place that is safe for you doe and her kids.  No other goat can then step on or hurt in anyway the newborn goat kids.  
2. Privacy - Pregnant goats like to be alone.  Goats in labor really like to be alone.
3. Feed - You can feed the pregnant goat specifically for her needs and don't have to worry about her getting pushed around by others.  The doe really likes this part.  Also could protect the other goats as well.  Some goats get very possessive of their food, and space, the closer they get to kidding.  Help the poor goaty that invades that space or tries to take even a bite of the pregnant goat's food!  
4. Cleanliness - You can keep it cleaner and full of nice deep beding.
5. Bonding - Is very important for doe and kids.  You don't want any goat pushing the doe away from her kids or even stealing them!  Can happen.
6. Warmth - Kidding stalls should be well enclosed in a nice warm area to keep doe and kids warm.
7. Your Peace of Mind - It is calming to know that your expectant doe is safely in her stall all happy and well fed. 

I don't think I missed any.  Either way safety is of the biggest importance.  What does this kidding stall look like?  

One Kidding Stall - goat not included.

That is my kidding stall.  I have three.  The are about 8ft by 9ft. How many you need depends on how many goats are kidding and how far apart they are kidding.  You want the kidding stall were the expectant goat can be alone but sill see other goats and have company.  The expectant goat likes to be alone but not in solitary confinement.  I like to put the doe in her stall at least 1 week before she kids.  Depending on her attitude, body condition and herd status it might be earlier.  A goat that is always picked on you would want to move in sooner or the skinny goat so she can have more time to eat.  The heard queen might not be as much as a problem unless she is terrorizing all the underlines.  
How to make the kidding stall safe:

1. Lots of deep bedding.  I usually have one corner full of deep bedding for the doe to sleep in  and then a week before her due date put deep bedding all over the stall.  The smaller amount makes it easier to clean.  Bank the bedding up the sides and put extra in the corners to make the corners more rounded.  Use hay or stray for the bedding.  No shavings. Shaving can be inhaled and they also get stuck all over kids at birthing.  The Doe has a very hard time cleaning kids that are covered in shavings.
2. Hang water buckets.  You want the water buckets high enough that the doe can't birth into them.  You also don't want the kid to be able to climb into them and drown.  
3. No sharp edges.
4. No weird spaces that a kid could get stuck in.  Like between the food bin and the wall.  Look out for places that a kid could get a leg stuck ..... or a head ...... or any body part for that matter.       
5. Nothing the kid can chew apart or swallow.  The mommy doe should take care of this part for you and ingest anything that is possible.

The kidding stall is also not just for kidding, as we have seen, but also for the doe and kids after kidding.  The kids will be too small to immediately become part of the heard.  The best kidding stalls should be connected to the outside world so doe and kids can get out in the sun.  They will need the stall for around 2 weeks after kidding.  More on this later ....

Coming Next ..... Preparing for Kidding, The Birthing Bag