Tips
It is best to stay with a doe in labor to ensure the placenta passes. The placenta should pass within four hours of the end of labor. If it does not, call a veterinarian or trusted goat breeder -- they can administer a hormone that will force it from the doe. Retained placentas can kill a doe in a very short time.
Being present at the birth of a new litter of goats is a rewarding and frightening affair. While goats give birth in a timely manner, they often break in between kids, making it difficult to know when birthing is completed. Fortunately, goat breeders have a method called "bouncing" or "bumping" that can help determine if any kids remain in the womb. If you don't see the goat pass her placenta, there is no way to completely be certain that she has finished giving birth.
Stand behind your doe (she must be standing as well) and wrap your arms around her like you're giving her a big hug. Your hands should meet right in front of her udder.
Flatten your palms with fingers facing the front of the doe and push upward in to her belly. Release the inward pressure on her belly and allow the contents to fall down. Do not move your hands from the original position in front of her udder.
Feel for the contents of the uterus. If she is finished giving birth, her stomach will feel soft when you "bounce" her a few times. When kids remain in the uterus, you will feel a hard or boney mass moving around inside as you bounce your doe. Practice a few times to get a feel for the movement. Bounce an open doe if you have one available.
Resources
Tips
- It is best to stay with a doe in labor to ensure the placenta passes. The placenta should pass within four hours of the end of labor. If it does not, call a veterinarian or trusted goat breeder -- they can administer a hormone that will force it from the doe. Retained placentas can kill a doe in a very short time.
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Writer Bio
Kristi Waterworth started her writing career in 1995 as a journalist for a local newspaper. From there, her meandering career path led to a 9 1/2 year stint in the real estate industry. Since 2010, she's written on a wide range of personal finance topics. Waterworth received a Bachelor of Arts in American history from Columbia College.
