Kid-rearing
Kidding area in the barn should be clean with dry bedding (grass).
The doe may be kept in the kidding area for a few days before kidding in order to get used to the place.
The signs of a goat that is about to kid are:
Restlessness, separating itself from the flock, discharges mucus
Doe must clean and groom her kids and remain undisturbed (2-3 hours) after delivery.
When to intervene in the birth process:
Mal-presentation or difficulties in kidding, for example if legs instead of the head come out first.
Kid does not bleat or breathe.
Cutting the navel and apply of iodine to prevent infections.
Iodine application is not necessary if bedding is clean.
Kid housing
Keep the kids at home to about three months.
Warm and dry conditions. Make the kids house raised so that it is not affected by running water because this causes contamination and diseases
Bedding should be kept clean and fresh this eases detection of diarrhoea.
Feeding kids
Kids should suckle the first milk (colostrum) from their mother
Fostering or bottle feeding is recommended at times, at least 4 times a day with at least half a litre for each feeding session. Ordinary human baby feeding bottles can do
From 3 weeks of age, kids start nibbling grass and leaves, which is important for the development of the rumen.
Effective grazing and browsing starts at 3 months
Weaning
100 days old on average and weighing between 8-12 kilogrammes live weight. Live weight is the heaviness of an animal when alive.
Complete separation of the kids and the does should be done. This means that you create a second or third herd specifically for the weaned kids.
Vaccinate the kids to keep off diseases.
