Ligament ??

Are you talking about the ligament they "lose" prior to kidding? That is around their tail. You put your fingers around their tail head. It's hard to explain, but easy to do. If you Google "kidding signs" you should get some pics of it.

AvyNatFarm said:

Are you talking about the ligament they "lose" prior to kidding? That is around their tail. You put your fingers around their tail head. It's hard to explain, but easy to do. If you Google "kidding signs" you should get some pics of it.

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Yes prior to kidding my boer doe I touch all my fingers around her tail head and her tail is even kinda floppy but here udder isn't very big so I wanted to make sure I was checking the right way how soon after they get that loose do they tend to kid? The earliest she is due is 12/9

Before they start relaxing they feel like cords, as they soften then will give when u push on them (i use a downward push/feel when checking)as they get closer they will get more elasticy/giving. They day of kidding my girls ligs feel "gone"

Thx

Ah ... thats my question! So what I'm feeling (slow increase in elasticity of the ligaments now I'm 1 week off due date) is normal?

And they will simply disappear entirely just before kidding?

That is what I've read/heard. A word of warning, however, there appears to be at least some goats that do not subscribe to this theory and refuse to conform. :laugh:

They can come and go multiple times before kidding - so it's just a rough estimate, not an exact science. When they are completely gone and stay gone they're usually close - other signs are the bag being "tight", dropped belly, and posty hind legs.

And how - exactly - are you going to know they are completely gone unless the doe kids? I don't pay any attention to them except for a cursory glance. They are simply too unreliable.

Exactly, lol! I just use them as an easy way to know when they're getting near and I should start keeping a closer eye on them.

You know, that is the best response I've ever gotten in response to ligaments in pregnant does. Thank you!

Oh bother so its not necessarily reliable ... thats a pity.

I'm assuming there is no other magic bullet for telling for sure "tonight/not tonight"?

Never payed this close attention to this before ... the meat goats just look after themselves and you wake up to find kids! Now my first dairys are due and I'm all nerves!

I've been faithfully feeling ligaments night and morning ...

Barnes19 said:

Never payed this close attention to this before ... the meat goats just look after themselves and you wake up to find kids! Now my first dairys are due and I'm all nerves!

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Dairy aren't that much different from meat when it comes to kidding. Relax and go with what you know from your meat goats

The posty legs have been the most reliable in mine - but not all goats are the same.

When I see a baby coming out is the best indicator for me!! LMAO I can see when they start to "open" and then start "streaming" mucous...that's when I start thinking we're close.

kccjer said:

When I see a baby coming out is the best indicator for me!! LMAO I can see when they start to "open" and then start "streaming" mucous...that's when I start thinking we're close.

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LMAO!!!! I tend to we are close then also!