This is our first kidding season. We have 3 pregnant does, Jolene, Juniper, and Bat Chick. Player (EZK Pay to Play) is the herdsire. Am I ready for Kidding?
I am nervous
I know that Kiko Does are supposed to be really good moms, and will usually kid successfully without any human interference… BUT… What if something goes wrong? How will I know when it it time?
I have been trying to get the birthing stalls ready. The snow finally melted enough that I was able to get the portable panels out of the ice and set them up in the barn. I still need to get some straw for their bedding.
Birthing supplies
I have put together a big bag of birthing supplies. Hopefully we won’t need to use many of them.
Our birthing kit includes:
- puppy pads and paper towels to help clean off babies and keep bedding dry
- lubricant and rubber gloves (in case I have to go in to reposition a kid)
- Selenium and Vit E injection (we are in a selenium deficient area)
- Vitamin B injection
- Nutridrench
- Betadine and shot cups to dip the umbilical cords
- needles and syringes
- Molasses (to make a warm drink for momma after birth)
- tums (can help strengthen contractions and expel the placenta)
- nose suction thing
- thermometer
- scale to weigh babies
Big Momma
Miss Jolene is looking HUGE! She has bagged up (that means her udder is filling with milk) and looks ready to Pop!
Juniper and Bat Chick are looking bigger than normal, but nothing like our big Momma.
How many kids?
I have no idea how many babies we will have. Juniper and Jolene each gave birth to twins last year. Bat Chick had a single kid. This is the second kidding for each of these momma’s and often they will have a higher number of kids the 2nd time around.
When?
We don’t know their due dates as we do not control our breeding dates. Player went in with the ladies on Dec 1, 2021 and he was with them until Jan 15, 2022. Therefore, we could have babies hit the ground anywhere from April 1 to May 15. See Dirty Stinky Beasts in Rut and Kiko Breeding Season to read about when they were together.
