Two of my does are due in 2 weeks. We usually clean out the goat stall before kidding - we let them kid in the same stall. My concern is that this year it is really really cold still and I am concerned about the heat loss that could occur by putting down fresh bedding. I've heard that the slightly composting bedding provides alot of warmth for the goats. I usually have kids late in April so I am wondering about the temps this time of year. What do you folks think?

-- Tiffani Cappello (cappello@alltel.net), March 08, 2001

Answers

I wouldn't worry about cleaning right away (unless the bedding is excessively covered with manure) because the cold temps usually keeps the bacteria in check. I've had goats given birth in the middle of January & February and haven't had problems as long the kids aren't exposed to cold drafts. I've kept my stall closed up (in the past) to help contain some heat but not completely closed to prevent the fresh air from circulating. But as the weather gets warmer and the stall starts to smell (like ammonia) then it time to clean immediately. But it's better to clean up some of excessive manure and keeping the bedding down til "springtime cleaning." David

-- David Cripe (cripeland@aol.com), March 08, 2001.

Two of my goats kidded recently before I had a chance to clean out the barn. I threw down some "fresh" old hay on top and they did fine.

-- mary, texas (marylgarcia@aol.com), March 08, 2001.

We have a maternity pen (cattle paneled area so she can see her buddies), when a doe kids, she is put in their to finish, then it is spot cleaned, I then fill the pen back up with fresh shavings. The problem with adding fresh bedding to your already dirty bedding is that the doe in pawing the ground to kid, is simply going to dig up the old bedding to the top anyway! But of course!! They have all day to lay around an think of things like this to piss us off! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), March 08, 2001.

I was getting disgusted with the goat pen so I took about 6 inches out. My does are due to kid in a month and the vet suggested I take some more out before the time, that it will be enough for them.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), March 08, 2001.

Well, of course Vicki is right about them digging down. I delivered mine onto newspaper, and dried and iodined them before they ever hit the floor.

-- mary, texas (marylgarcia@aol.com), March 08, 2001.

I usually separate my does when they get close into kidding pens (about 4 days before)this gives them a chance to get used to being in their alone, although they can see the others through the chainlink fencing between the stalls. I keep the kidding pen completely clean with deep bedding and clean again after the birth. Living in Nfld,Canada it is very cold during Feb. but I find the cold doesn't do any harm, but you have to provide a draft free area. I find as the others said that if you leave anything under fresh bedding, they will dig it up anyway. Good luck with the kiddings!

-- Lorna Stuckless (clstuckless@thezone.net), March 12, 2001.