When is the best time of year for kidding?

[MillsFarmFamily]

We will have our does breding next spring, but I was wondering if there is a time of year that is better than another for kidding.

[Misty]

We start kidding Jan 1st as a goal. We usually kid through Feb, have some March stragglers. I like the winter for kidding. That meets our slaughter deadlines too. It is good ages for August show kids, plus they are usually weaned in time for Easter slaughter.

[Teacupliz]

I too prefer Jan. Feb kids. they grow the fastest, less problem with worms and cocci. It is cold here in Ny but they grow just fine.
Liz in NY

[Kazahleenah]

When I had the dairy, I always went for Jan/Feb kids. Now, I'll probably lean toward Feb/March, just personal prefrence. It's cold up here, but I never had a case of frostbitten ears, a baby dying of chills etc... and I birthed 77 milking does each year. A lot would also depend on what housing you have for them. If it's an open shed/shack... then spring kidding would be better. If you have a barn, with doors and such... I vote Jan-March.

Kaza

[mygoat]

well, i had my first kids born here in august. no problems. Twin does, they are little monsters now. big, healthy lovebugs. I am going to shoot for july/august kids next year because of my china trip, and from then on i'll be aiming for june/july kids. I always want to be here during a kidding, and that means the only possiblility would be for my summer break off school.

[outofmire]

I've been aiming for when the spring growth is coming up good, March/ April here.

[Eunice]

I like my goats to kid in Feb.-Mar. I am just drying off my last doe now,and that will give me a couple of months off from milking. I like my does to kid at least a month ahead of lambing season, as I collect bummer lambs and raise them on goat milk.

[Ramblin Acres]

I prefer mine to kid in late april thru mid June.I don't have to deal with the cold and the kids do just awesome.We have NEVER had a problem with worms or cocci.This has seemed to work well here.

[goatkid]

I breed my does to start kidding in March because of the cold winters in the Rockies. Some kid in April and the youngest does kid in may or early June. This year, I may have some born in Feb. because of bucks getting out. With some of my dairy goats, we purposely don't have them all kid in one month. We show our kids and they fit into different classes if they are born in different months. It's easier to find enough handlers that way and I get more blues and reds that way = more cash prizes.

[coso]

Like them to start about the 3rd weel of Feb and go through 3rd week of March. Not to cold, but cold enought that cocci and worms don't bother you so bad plus, your not having to milk while its so cold.