The Kidding Stall
A calm place and practical hub preparation of new life, steady hands, safe kidding, healthy offspring, and clean records.
Quick jump to buttons below
My Doe Is In Labor
Fast steps + red flags
Somethings not Right
Check Presentation
Weak or Cold Kid
Don't feed! TEMP 1st
Colostrum/Feeding
Don't feed! TEMP 1st
Write This Down
Record DOB
Aftercare
For Mama
Kidding season is exciting … and it can also make your brain feel like it has 47 tabs open. This page is your one-stop “reset”: what to do before, during, and after kidding + what to record and where to go next.
Before Kidding
A few small things done early can save you a lot of stress later. Have these items ready: Clean kidding area with dry bedding, Fresh water + quality hay for the doe, Gloves, towels, lubricant, Iodine/umbilical dip + small cup, Thermometer, Scale (if you have one) + notepad, Flashlight/headlamp, Basic first-aid and your vet contact info, Confirm due dates and make a simple watch schedule, Braid or Ponytail excessively long hair where needed for cleanliness, Keep a kidding notes sheet nearby (date, time, events) or a photo on your phone until you can get to the house works too.
During Kidding
Normal can look messy. The goal is stay calm observe and clean assistance only when needed. Watch for strong labor/contractions with no progress, Obvious distress or exhaustion, A kid presented incorrectly, Excessive bleeding, Anything that feels “off” to your gut.
If something doesn’t seem right, it’s okay to pause and get experienced help quickly. Calm and timely beats panicked and late.
After Kidding
Make sure the doe is stable, drinking, and interested in her kids, Dry and warm the kids as needed, Dip navels, Confirm nursing/colostrum intake, Note any concerns right away so you don’t forget later. Then record: Date/time of birth, Number of kids + sex, if any assistance was needed, markings, eye color, any early observations (strength, nursing, temperament)
Need Help?
If you’re a member and you’re in the thick of it, you don’t have to go it alone. Reach out through the member area and we’ll help you troubleshoot calmly and quickly.
When it’s urgent: always contact your vet first.
My Doe Is In Labor (Right Now)
Quick Start (Next 5 Minutes)
Clean hands, gloves if needed, good light.
Fresh bedding. Quiet. Minimal “helpers.”
Watch for steady progress (not just contractions).
If you need to check, use lubricant and go gently.
Have your vet/mentor number ready before you need it.
Note: Calm hands help more than frantic Facebooking/Googling.
What’s Normal
Nesting, pawing, vocalizing, getting up/down.
Water bag/bubbles.
A kid appears with two front feet + nose.
Doe rests between pushes but returns to pushing.
Red Flags (Don’t Wait)
Call help if:
Strong pushing with no progress
Water breaks and time passes with no kid
Only one foot showing / no head / something feels “not lined up”
Doe is exhausted, trembling, distressed, or collapsing
Heavy bleeding or foul smell
What NOT to Do
Don’t force or pull hard against resistance.
Don’t keep checking repeatedly “just because.”
Don’t let the stall become a party.
Don’t ignore your gut, early help is cheaper than late help.
Quick Notes to Record (Even if you’re tired)
Doe, buck, date/time labor began
Birth order (Kid A, B, C)
Any assistance given
- These are important notes that help you learn your doe and her patterns
I Need to Check Presentation / Something’s Off
Normal Presentation -What we Want
- Two front feet + nose (think of it as a diving pose)
Pushing a baby out can take some time. Stay calm. This will help your doe stay calm. Have faith in her. She’ll feel your energy.
Quick tip: If she’s doing good but having a little trouble passing that big ole baby forehead, lube up & stick your finger in her bum. Push down gently. Babies head should pop right out.
Signs It Might Be Wrong
One foot only
No feet, just nose
Feet but no head
Head but no feet
Doe pushes hard but nothing advances
If You Must Check (Safe Basics)
Wash hands, glove up, use lubricant
Gently feel for two feet + a head
Work slowly; stop if you meet firm resistance
If you can’t confidently identify what you’re feeling: call help
When to Call Immediately
Stuck kid
Exhausted doe
You can’t identify presentation quickly
You’re unsure. Period
Weak or Cold Kid
First Priority = Warmth
Cold kids can’t digest milk well. You MUST Warm them first.
Dry thoroughly
Warm environment (careful with heat sources)
We use a heat pad & blankets
Warm the kid’s core gradually
Quick “Is This Kid Okay?” Check
Healthy signs:
Warm mouth
Strong suck reflex
Trying to stand
Red flags:
Cold mouth, limp body
No suck
Weak cry / unresponsive
After Warmth - Then Colostrum
Once warm and alert:
Encourage nursing
If not nursing, supplement appropriately (your preferred method)
When It’s Urgent
Kid won’t warm up
Labored breathing
Persistent weakness after warming
Call vet/experienced help.
Colostrum & Feeding
Why Colostrum Matters
Colostrum is immune protection + energy. Early intake matters most.
Nursing Checklist
Kid latches and sucks strongly
Doe allows nursing
Belly feels “fed,” kid settles after
If the Doe Won’t Cooperate
- Have you given her private space with her baby? Many does are very private.
- Does she need a quiet, contained space away from the rest of the herd?
- Ponytail her flank hair, hold the doe calmly & steady. Help guide the kid to the nipple.
Last Resort: Consider separating briefly and doing supervised nursing sessions
When to Supplement
Supplement if:
Kid is weak or not nursing
Doe has udder issues
Multiple kids and one is consistently missing out
Simple Feeding Notes (for your records)
Nursed vs supplemented
Any concerns (weak kid, slow starter)
HSFGR Bottle Feeding Calculator Click to calculate age by DOB and suggested bottle schedule
HSFGR Kidding Stall Tool
Bottle Feeding Calculator
Enter a kid's date of birth and this tool will estimate age in days, weeks, and months, then suggest a bottle-feeding schedule using the HSFGR Kidding Stall guide.
Read before using this guide
This calculator is a general bottle-feeding guide for goat kids. Every kid is different. Appetite, size, birth weight, health, temperature, strength, and nursing history all matter.
Newborn kids need adequate colostrum as early as possible. A weak, chilled, bloated, scouring, dehydrated, or refusing kid needs hands-on help and may need veterinary guidance.
Do not force large amounts into a kid that is not swallowing well. Small, frequent feedings are safer for fragile kids. Always use good judgment and adjust based on what the kid is telling you.
Record This Kidding (For Registration)
Minimum Record (Recommended)
Doe + buck
Date/time of birth
Number of kids + sex
Assistance needed (none / mild / significant)
Markings and notable traits (polled/horned)
Notes: vigor, nursing, concerns
Helpful Extras (If You Can)
Birth weights
Birth order (A/B/C)
Placenta passed time. Eaten or not?
Any meds given
What Makes Registrations Easier Later
Write it down same day
Keep kid IDs consistent (Kid 01 = first born, etc.)
Take a quick photo per kid for your own reference
Member Shortcuts
Aftercare: Doe + Kids (Next 24–72 hrs)
Doe Check (Daily)
Eating/drinking normally
Bright attitude, normal movement
No foul smell, no fever signs
Udder comfortable, milk flowing
Kid Check (Daily)
Warm, active, nursing
Normal poop (watch scours)
No coughing/labored breathing
Growing stronger each day
Bonding Issues
Some does need a little time
Supervised nursing helps
If rejection is strong/persistent: get help and make a plan