Does should be observed closely at kidding time. Goats usually have twins and occasionally triplets or more at kidding.Two to three days prior to kidding, place the doe in a clean and disinfected pen where she can be alone. Provide plenty of clean, dry bedding and fresh water. Leaving the doe in the pen for a few days after kidding may reduce chances of uterine infection. A doe usually does not need assistance at kidding. However, if she strains strongly and does not deliver within an hour, consider contacting an experienced person to help with kidding, or call a veterinarian. Placenta (afterbirth) should be expelled within an hour after kidding, then buried or burned.

Dry the kids with an absorbent cloth. Make sure they do not chill. It is important to allow the mother to lick her newborn kids. Provide lukewarm water for the doe to drink. (If you are raising kids under a CAE preventative program, remove the kids immediately and feed with heat-treated colostrum, and then pasteurized milk).

Kids will be ready to nurse the doe in about two to three hours. If not, milk the colostrum (first milk) from the doe and feed the kids. Colostrum is a first secretion of the mammary glands that is rich in nutrients and important antibodies that protect newborn kids from infection.

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