Ligament question

[Beckbeck]

As you all know I am fairly new to goats, and really new to kidding. I was just wondering about ligaments. I know I'm feeling them right and all that, because the other day they seem to be higher/right under the skin now they seem to be deeper down. Both sides feel a little mushy, but I can still feel what seems to be a bone or something. Does this mean we are on the right track?

I swear this is like watching a pot of water that won't boil!

[deetu]

It is something that is hard to discribe. I think it feels like there is only vertabra with skin covering it when they are ready.
I understood what everyone meant when I felt it as the doe was kidding, saying, "Oh, that's what they mean" then you don't forget.
Skin and bones

[boilerjoe_96]

I feel your pain... My Nubian/Boer cross does is HUGE and is all bones now in the tail area...gotta be soon... My buck came to live with me on 9/20.... Day 150 was 2/17.... I never saw him do the deed..... It can't be long, but I do not know exactly when.....

[pookshollow]

Don't start loosing any sleep just yet! Most of mine seem to lose their ligaments about three weeks before they kid. It's part of the Goat Code of Conduct - how to drive your humans crazy.

I find the best way to be sure is to go feel a goat that is nowhere near to kidding (or not pregnant) then go back to the "suspect" doe. You'll notice the difference.

[Beckbeck]

I've been doing that exact thing, my other girls are my guinea pigs..LOL
There is a huge difference in the pregnant one and the not pregnant ones. I can follow down her back and right of the tail without feeling a thing. I have to really dig down abit to feel something. (If any of this makes any sense).

[pookshollow]

Originally Posted by Beckbeck

I've been doing that exact thing, my other girls are my guinea pigs..LOL
There is a huge difference in the pregnant one and the not pregnant ones. I can follow down her back and right of the tail without feeling a thing. I have to really dig down abit to feel something. (If any of this makes any sense).

It makes perfect sense - to a goat person!

Just keep an eye on her - have you gone to Fiasco Farm's website and looked at the pictures of goats kidding? That arched back and tail are pretty unmistakeable. Of course, my two Boer does managed to keep it a big secret until the kids were on the ground. Check under the tail in the morning - nothing doing - go out around lunch, and . . . kids!

[Backfourty,MI.]

to me it's like your fingers will touch around the tail head(wear the tail meets the spine), but I wouldn't get too excited if the ligaments are gone because although some say that's when they'll deliver, I have had some loose the ligaments & it's still days before they deliver. When they get to day 145 I start watching them really close & checking everything out daily. It's like they know we are watching so they hold off! Hahahaha!

[DairyGoatSlave]

i personaly dont trust the ligaments lol

[catdance62]

Every one is different too! When they start having discharge and "talking" to their unborn babies, it is close to time.