Winter Kidding

stgagnon · #1 01/12/11, 05:12 PM

Hi Everybody.
This year, 2011 will be our third season of kidding. The last two years our does were bred late and later so our kidding took place in May and June.
This past fall things got underway early (for us) so we are expecting kids to start coming at the beginning of Feb. Maybe even sooner.

We have been successful in the past.. but is there anything I should be aware of for cold winter kidding?

I'm planning to hang heat lamps in the kidding areas...
The best is the 10x10 stall in our little barn. Doors all close and I can section off corners for privacy and warmth.
The rest of the possible locations are in outside sheds/stalls that are well protected, but not completely closed off.
I'm crossing fingers that I won't need more than a couple at a time.
How long will newborns need to be kept inside and under lamps?

I'm not that worried about it, we have learned much over the last couple of years and am confident that we can accommodate whatever situation comes. I probably sound unprepared.. maybe a little but not without lots of options.

I guess I'm just looking for experiences with winter kidding anything I might not be anticipating, etc. I'm expecting Saanen kids and Boer/kiko/cross kids.

Typically, the saanens kid in the barn. The boer girls usually have had access to the barn but have chosen to kid outside.. I doubt they will do that in Feb!? Either way, this time around I will put them inside somewhere if I see that they are ready to go. (The outside kidders have been surprises in past years.)

Thanks for anything and everything you have to share!

Suz in VT

julieq · #2 01/12/11, 07:22 PM

I don't have any experience with Boers or Kikos. But we've kidded out plenty of Nubians and Nigerians here in Southern Idaho during the winter without any problems. We usually choose spring kiddings because of the extremely cold winter temps though. However, we bottle feed and just bring out babies into the house for a couple of days if it's cold. Sounds like you're doing everything right. If you can assist with drying off the kids (if the doe is in a shelter), I'd certainly do that. If the kids are healthy and moving around well they should do fine in the cold temps.

Goat Servant · #3 01/12/11, 09:32 PM

Most of our kiddings are in Feb. You know the drill, dry bedding & no drafts they'll do fine!
Ive never used heat lamps dont trust em, but kids always have a box to snuggle into. And they always find that box!

houndlover · #4 01/12/11, 10:01 PM

I don't like heat lamps in the barn, like poster above me, like to provide a snuggle place. An old laundry basket in the kidding pen works great.

Helena · #5 01/12/11, 10:34 PM

We use heat lamps and in fact now I have one hanging waiting for one doe to kid. I also will use them for my goats when it gets terribly cold here. I make sure that the cord is wrapped around the rafters in my little barn..(one story) and tied tightly so they will not fall. Up high enough so the goats can't nibble on it. I have some newborn people baby sweaters to put on the kids if it is terribly cold for a day or 2 also. Lots of clean dry bedding and Momma goat will keep them warm. Don't tighten up your barn sooo...tight that there isn't any air flow. Could cause sickness at time. I'm sure you will be fine with your new kids. Good Luck !!

Backfourty,MI. · #6 01/13/11, 07:52 AM

I would not use a heat lamp. Too many stories of barn fires & folks loosing their narn &/or animals too.

It sounds like you have some good dry, warm places for them to snuggle with momma & they should do fine if you make sure they are good & dry & drinking from momma.

If I do have any kids born & it's still cold I put hot water bottles under old towels in the corner of the stall or house for the babies to snuggle on. They learn real quick where to lay, they love the hot water bottles.

I do plan for spring kids here though because of the cold. Our first kids arn't due until the week of April 10th.

Joey Wahoo · #7 01/14/11, 08:04 AM

We had a hard time with our winter kidding last year, and have lost 3 of nine kids so far this year. I'm considering not permitting any more to be born in January and February. Anyone else doing that?

stgagnon · #8 01/14/11, 09:36 AM

I reckon I'm going to be more insistent that we separate the bucks/bucklings next summer too.

But, on the other hand, I am really looking forward to early babies!! Every other year the waiting seemed to go on forever. The babies are what makes the rest of the work joyful, don't you think? Also,, looking forward to having our own milk again. I don't like buying it at the store.

Glad to hear that others have good results in cold weather,, even though it is not optimal.

Joey, where are you located, and what is happening with your kids? What are their accommodations like? It is no fun to lose babies.

billygoatridge · #9 01/14/11, 03:25 PM

I'm one that doesn't like heat lamps either. As long as they get dried off and get a belly full of colostrum they handle the cold well. Saving a couple kids isn't worth burning a barn down and it's easier on them not going from heat lamp to without unless you plan on leaving it on until spring. Ours have a nice warm barn but after the first day they lay outside alot. The kikos especially will laugh at the cold.

Winter Kidding - Goats

copperpennykids · #10 01/14/11, 03:41 PM

We use heat lamps. We also use zip ties! You just have to be smart how you use them. Then you reduce your risk practically to zero.

If you don't want to use a heat lamp, make a U with three straw bales - turn the straw bales on their sides so they are tall, not wide. Then put a piece of plywood on top the back half of the U. The kids can go back in and snuggle in the deeply bedded straw (that you laid in there after you built your little U). The plywood helps keep their heat in the "cave" as well as providing them a capital place to play once they are a little older. Practically eliminates drafts too. Of course, make the opening away from any prevailing winds/drafts.

BTW, we make plywood houses that are 4 feet tall and in a triangular shape. Then we cut a "door" in the front of the longest side of the triangle - it is U shaped. The heat lamp hangs down into the triangle (and it is zip tied to the wooden triangle, and the wooden triangle is zip tied to the fence so it can't tip over). If it is especially cold we will cover the top of the wooden triangle with a board or with (and this is my favorite) that silver super insulated blanket stuff - like you are supposed to have in your vehicle if you ever get stuck. Sometimes we just put that silver stuff over the top of the wooden triangle without the heat lamp (or when the kids are 2 days old and the days are still very cold - 15-20 degrees). Still keeps the kids very warm.

Our Boers do very well once they are dry and have eaten. Saanens aren't quite as tough - their hides aren't as thick and their hair isn't as dense.

Boer kids get the heat lamp the first night and day and then the second night. Then it is turned off. The Saanens may get the heat lamp for 2 or 3 days. Of course the Boer kids are dam raised and can eat more frequently and can snuggle with mom. The Saanens are all bottle raised - but they do snuggle together. The cats like to snuggle with the kids as well - more so the Saanens because sometimes the Boer does think they are monsters with bad intentions.... ROFLOL

hollandfarm · #11 01/15/11, 06:13 AM

omg - monsters with bad intentions- that's very funny -

steff bugielski · #12 01/15/11, 06:23 AM

I always breed for winter babies, need them big for Easter sales.

I have never used heat lamps. I have had two barn fires when I was a teenager and never again. Also they have a harder time adjusting to the cold once you remove the heat.

The goats have even kidded outside in below freezing temps in the snow and the only problem was frost bitten ears. I do not recommend that.

Warm bedding and a draft free barn is all they need. I do try to put the expecting doe in a large stall closed up if I notice the impending birth, but most of the time they catch me by surprised and i come out in the morning to feed and there are fluffy babies .