All of mine have given birth just fine.. If they are very narrow through the hips and pins and or have a steep rump, it is a possibility.
Really??!!
Our new vet just told us that he gets a lot of problems with Nigerian Dwarfs giving birth! Is he right?!! I have never, EVER heard that, but, he IS a vet so...?
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I've had to assist due to kids being presented wrong but 99% of the time all is well.
Delivery issues with any goat can be due to many factors, feed management, age, size are the ones I think of atm.
Delivery issues with any goat can be due to many factors, feed management, age, size are the ones I think of atm.
Probably compared to larger breeds, yes, i'm sure there are more issues due to their size. Also, nigerians are very popular...a lot of people have them so i'm sure that increases the odds that the vet sees more nigerians than other breeds. Overall, the breed tends to be easy kidders. I have a large herd and have been raising them for awhile and have only had one doe in for a c section.
mine have always kidded without problem (had them for 4 years now and kidded out 5 this year). My friend only has 2 and both of hers had issues this year....we got the one pulled but the other died before we could it pulled out. Oh....and we used the same billy on all of them
We had an issue our first year, but I think it was mainly due to a lack of calcium in the diet. Newbie error. Second year things went very well. I have one doe who likes us to go in before she starts serious pushing, then she does well. The other doe delivered beautifully with correct presentation. I gave them grass hay, alfalfa pellets, herbs meant to assist in pregnancy, and a calcium drench when labor started.
I never had any problems with my Nigies when I had them. I always made sure they had a balanced diet, loose minerals and plenty of exercise while pregnant. I fully believe that being able to move around prior to labor/delivery makes for an easy birth. Goats can get lazy in winter, not wanting to go out and move about. I made sure they did by chasing them out of the barn every day and locking them out.
Whew! What a relief! Thanks all! 
Ok, I had 2 c-sections in my first 2 years. I got info on feeding and have had more luck since then. HOWEVER, I have assisted at many births. AND, I would recommend that anyone that breeds NDG's make sure they are present at every birth. My goats, generally have litters of 3 or 4. And, that many legs can get tangled. Also, with multiples, the doe may not be able to get them all cleaned and breathing in time. I have had kids "miss the exit" resulting in transverse presentation. I have had 2 kids present at once (head of one, feet of other). I have had a "full" breach, just the head, front legs back, etc. now, I have been breeding Nigerians for 6 years. 6-7 does/year. At least one is an unusual birth.
So, it is a good idea to try to get as much experience as possible before you do it yourself. Hopefully you have a good mentor. If not, go to this address www.fiascofarm.com, YouTube etc., and find video's of goat births. I do tend to be more "involved" then some folks, I will assist getting the kids out, faces cleaned, etc. I "go in" to check progress. I have saved many kids, and a few does, with my active assistance.
So, my feeling is...yes...miniature goats do need more assistance then standard breeds. Does it deter me? No. And if I have trouble I will come here first. Good luck! Read old posts, especially the nutrition related ones. I will say...please determine early on, what amount of intervention you are comfortable with...don't wait too long to get your vet involved. My vet said,"I would save more kids if folks would call earlier".
So, it is a good idea to try to get as much experience as possible before you do it yourself. Hopefully you have a good mentor. If not, go to this address www.fiascofarm.com, YouTube etc., and find video's of goat births. I do tend to be more "involved" then some folks, I will assist getting the kids out, faces cleaned, etc. I "go in" to check progress. I have saved many kids, and a few does, with my active assistance.
So, my feeling is...yes...miniature goats do need more assistance then standard breeds. Does it deter me? No. And if I have trouble I will come here first. Good luck! Read old posts, especially the nutrition related ones. I will say...please determine early on, what amount of intervention you are comfortable with...don't wait too long to get your vet involved. My vet said,"I would save more kids if folks would call earlier".
We have mini Toggs/ something Dairy mixes-- at least 3/4 Nigerian though. hoping their births go well as they are alittle longer legged and nice and wide than the purebreeds, we are getting a purebreed Nigerian buckling mid November, so any kidding will be late springish or summer....
Would love to guaruntee being there for the birth but I am out of town about 3- 4 nights a week..... so it will be hit or miss, child will sleep with them on the weekends, but that is as much supervision as we are going to be able to offer....
Would love to guaruntee being there for the birth but I am out of town about 3- 4 nights a week..... so it will be hit or miss, child will sleep with them on the weekends, but that is as much supervision as we are going to be able to offer....
I understand that most folks aren't able to be available 'round the clock. And, even I have issues as I do work part time. I have wired my barn with cameras and I can see the birth stalls from my house, I hope to be able to see those on line soon. I also have a granddaughter that is in cyber school, so she can come out and be here when I work, so I have babysitters available when needed. And, luckily, I work for my husband.We have mini Toggs/ something Dairy mixes-- at least 3/4 Nigerian though. hoping their births go well as they are alittle longer legged and nice and wide than the purebreeds, we are getting a purebreed Nigerian buckling mid November, so any kidding will be late springish or summer....
Would love to guaruntee being there for the birth but I am out of town about 3- 4 nights a week..... so it will be hit or miss, child will sleep with them on the weekends, but that is as much supervision as we are going to be able to offer....
When I started I had a baby monitor in the barn, it was just sound, but it did help a lot. Except, I had a "moaner". Lol!
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