Those of you that work...

**mygoat** · #1 02/02/11, 12:34 PM

I'm wondering - how do you deal with kidding season?

Do you just bunk up does in kidding pens and let them do their thing alone? Do you call people over to watch when a doe is in labor and you must leave?

I ask, because I've always made it my priority to be home when goats are kidding just in case. I've had a couple instances now where had I not been home, things would have ended poorly.

I have a couple good friends, goat experienced, who are willing to help if needed. I'm thinking of hiring my one good friend who doesn't work, and pay her per kidding that I can't be there for. She would do it without payment, but I of course would like to compensate her. She is less problem-kidding experienced, but the other (who has children) is willing to be 'on call' for trouble.

The reason I ask, is this summer I'm going to be looking for another job - and this will LIKELY be my first job that I can't call in to if I have baby goats on the way.

I used to do that during highschool, and even now at my job at the college my supervisor knows we're overstaffed and has never cared if I stayed home for this reason - especially if I showed her baby pics.

But, I'll be done at that college at the end of this semester, and I can only work there if I am a student.

My dad works a lot of the time, not to mention he has no experience kidding out goats. I plan on taking him through a kidding or two this year if he's home when a goat is kidding... But even then it's likely he won't be home either.

Jyllie63 · #2 02/02/11, 12:53 PM

Most of my babies have been born either while I'm asleep or at work. I do worry that there might be a problem and I wouldn't be there to help, but so far things have worked out okay. I don't have a kidding pen, so I usually find the babies in the 3 sided shelter. At least my goats have that much common sense ha ha.

Heritagefarm · #3 02/02/11, 12:59 PM

We let ours kid on their own. If they can't manage without a bunch of assistance, it isn't a good animal. Not that I'm saying we wouldn't give assistance, absolutely we would. I just am not going to stay up all night worrying about them.

prairiedog · #4 02/02/11, 01:45 PM

If you are dam raising I wouldn't worry too much. If you get a job with computer acess you can get a nanny cam that you can check as you are at work and then maybe run home if you have to or call someone to check out a problem. Don't know if these new smart phones let yo check those things or not.

**mygoat** · #5 02/02/11, 03:00 PM

Most of them I am dam raising, or at least for the first day after they're born. I pull all the dairy kids, and thankfully this year the does are due during my spring break - I couldn't have planned that had I tried - it just worked out that way.

The minis get to keep their kids at least overnight for colostrum. I usually pull their doelings as long as it leaves one buckling on them at least. (makes them more friendly pets, which is their main purpose) My boers will be raising their own.

The ones that have the most trouble are the minis - which are mostly grade pygmies.... Pygmies are prone to kidding issues in general. I'm just raising these guys until my old mini does get to old to kid out, then I'll be done raising them. I just like my pet does too much to sell/eat them, but can't justify them just sitting around doing nothing, so I'll kid them out and use their males for meat and their doelings for pet sales until they're old - THEN they just get to be pasture pets until their death.

susanne · #6 02/02/11, 03:08 PM

if you know exact due dates, you could give lutalyse to have them kid when you are home. at least that is what i would do. no, i would not give responcability to somebody else. not even to a very dear friend.

Heritagefarm · #7 02/02/11, 04:41 PM

I don't really like the use of lutalyse...

Oat Bucket Farm · #8 02/02/11, 05:05 PM

I have a friend who works and induces labor in her does so that she can be there when the babies are born. Its not something I personally would be comfortable with, but for some people it works well for them.

farmmaid · #9 02/02/11, 09:28 PM

Not a problem here, I work days part time and hubby works nights. There is only 1-2 hours a day that one of us is not on the farm. I ALWAYS am in attendance, after sooo many years I can usually pin point the birth @ 6 hours before. Today I was very thankful I was there. Triplets, one breach buckling and one doeling front presentation coming together. I got the mom on her feet, pushed the doeling back inside and pulled the buckling out as she pushed...HUGE. Then went in to check the next, front feet back. Got them straighted out and delivered that doeling. Checked again and another one, front presentation but again feet back. All are big, bouncing around, mom loving them. Would have been a different outcome had I not been there.....I have Nubian does and a Boer buck. My four does have given me guads, twins, twins and now triplets. One more due the first of June I hope.

Can have a six week rest before I start to lamb.... and yes, I am in attendance...Joan

DWH Farm · #10 02/02/11, 09:54 PM

I work, and we raise goats, pigs and cattle. I try to keep track of due dates and keep a close eye on animals as they get close. Alot of times I will check before work and if an animal looks really close then I will come home and check at lunch also. I am lucky to work in a pretty small office with a nice boss. He knows that we have a farm and is understanding if something comes up..Right now I have a dairy goat due any day and I have already let him know that I might need to take a vacation day on short notice because of that. We have been lucky and really have not had problems with any of our animals (knock on wood)..

goatkid · #11 02/03/11, 12:23 AM

When I was interviewed for my job, I told them that I raise goats and may need to be late or miss a day if I have a goat in labor. When I have several does due within a few days of each other, I request some vacation time in advance. My DH does not work, so he's always home in case a doe kids while I'm away. He's very good at delivering babies. so I feel confident in leaving him with a goat who is due. My biggest issue with him is that he does not like to bring kids in the house and leaves them on the dam. If it's really cold and I know a goat is going to kid, it's best that I take that day off to be sure the babies are warm.

Backfourty,MI. · #12 02/03/11, 06:03 PM

I work but only part time so I'm home alot & when I know they are getting close to due dates I don't very rarely leave the house if I don't have too. Dh is retired but really in a problem situation I don't think he'd know what to do, He has been home alone with them when they kid & I'm at work & he helps towel them off, makes sure there breathing good, crying, suckling, etc. Oh & he can spray the navals. Anything more I think he'd need help himself.