Friend will be shaving a pregnant goat, advice?

[xoxoGOATSxoxo]

My friend is gonna be shaving her pregnant Nigie. I think shes about 4 months pregnant, or maybe a little more?

They want me to help. We're gonna be doing it in the early morning when its cooler, and going slow as not to stress her much, but other than that is there any advice as to how to keep her calm?

Thanks

[powderhooves]

When we first sheared we had a stand. It didn't work well for us or the goats. We hired a shearer the next two times. He places the goats on their rears and rests their back between his legs which calms them down. We do this for trimming hooves as well. Don't know why but they settle right away.

[Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians]

All my does are put on the milkstand and shaved about 2 to 3 weeks before they kid. I try to help them down....when they will let me. A little disconcerting to have the big old lugs come running out of the stall and bounding up onto the milkstand, but most do.

If the doe is not used to shaving and you all are new to it, and she is just doing this for vanity because surely you aren't going to show a doe in this condition or all you are doing is a dairy clip, and she is wild, I would put it off until right after she kids at her first milking...I do lots of this to the older gals I don't want jumping up and down on the milkstand. Vicki

[xoxoGOATSxoxo]

Thanks!

None of us are new at shaving, my friends have had goats for I think 9 or so years, and this is my 6th year and we all shave every year. But none of us have had nigerians or pregnant does in the middle of summer, so we were a little worried.

The doe is entered in the county fair, but if she doesnt have her kids this week she probably wont be going. They dont know her exact due date, as they bought her this spring and the man who had her said she was due at the beginning of august. (I was mistaken with the 4 months pregnant thing, I guess!!!)

Anyway, we started shaving at 7:30, when it was still cool. We kept her calm (she was on the stand eating grain), and shaved. She's such a laid back goatie, a real sweetie. She hardly cared at all! I didnt really know her all that well before yesterday. We arent sure if she had been shaved before, but I'm guessing yes because of how calm she was.

So, it all worked out fine! And I called neighbor today, and she still hasnt gone into labor. Poor wide goat.

powderhooves: I think they settle because of some pressure points or something, at least thats how the guy we hire to shear our sheep explains it. It never worked for me or my goats, but then again I have a hard time tipping them on their rears by myself and my family is strangely reluctant to help me....