Basic Kidding Kit:
     ~Old towels
     ~Puppy pads
     ~Nasal Aspirator/Bulb syringe: The single most used tool!
     ~Gloves
     ~Lube (Mineral oil, OB lube, etc.) 
     ~Iodine for dipping umbilical cords after birth
     ~Plastic shot glasses for iodine
     ~Sterile scissors
     ~Kellie's Kid Puller (for an emergency)
     ~Molasses: We like to mix 1-2 Tbsp. Molasses in a 2 gallon bucket of warm water for moms after            birth.
     ~Vet's Phone Number in case of emergency
     ~Frozen Colostrum or colostrum replacer (NOT colostrum supplement) in case
 
Pre-kidding prep:
    Does are dried off approximately 2 months before their due date. Moms are given CDT vaccinations about 30 days prior to kidding. Some studies have shown greater efficacy in kids immunity if given less than 4 weeks prior to birth. It should be given sooner than 10 days prior to birth or kids will not have immunity. Starting about a week before kidding, does are given several tums a day as a calcium supplement. They can be given a "sanitary trim" of the hair on their rear legs, udder, and underside of tail so as to make cleanup after birth easier. Does can begin developing an udder 6 weeks prior to their due date and may have clear or white discharge.
     Also keep in mind a doe and her kids nutritional needs. You may want to increase her grain ration in the last few weeks of pregnancy to ensure those needs are met.  Increasing nutrition in the late stages of gestation is a good way to manage or prevent pregnancy toxemia. I like to give a bit of extra grain to does that are carrying triplets or quads. They make look very large, but after all those kids are out they can actually be very skinny. If a doe has to break down a lot of her fat stores to support her kids, the breakdown of those fats releases ketones into her blood which can cause detrimental effects in excess. The resulting low blood glucose can cause decreased appetite, lethargy, decreased milk production (if in milk), teeth grinding, and disorientation. You can test a doe for low ketones using ketone strips from any drug store or Amazon.

Stage 1: Early Labor:
      Ligaments (or pin bones) are tendons that branch off from the does tail bone in a "V" shape. Does ligaments can start to loosen and may become lower in the days leading up to her due date. When the ligaments soften and can no longer be felt, you will generally have kids on the ground within 24 hours. We have had does kid 4 hours after losing their ligaments and some kid 27 hours after, so it depends on every doe. The doe may show signs of being uncomfortable such as being restless (getting up and down repeatedly), pawing the ground, "star-gazing", or pressing her head against objects. She may also exhibit personality changes such as becoming very needy or the opposite: separating herself from the herd and being distant. First fresheners typically are in early labor longer than does who have freshened before. As they approach active labor, their udder will become very full and tight and their sides will hollow on the top as the baby or babies drop and move into position to come out of the birth canal. We have also noticed our does squatting like they are peeing when they do not need to pee as they are getting closer to active labor.

Active Labor:
     Typically a doe in active labor will lay down and stretch both her rear legs out to the side. This can be a tell-tell sign that she is going to start pushing. If a doe has not gotten a kid out after 30 min to an hour of pushing, there may be an issue with the kids size or positioning. Some people give their does more time, but we do not care to let a doe and baby become too tired and stressed which might lead to worse complications. Using sterile gloves and lubricant, you can go in and try to determine if the kid is in a proper position to exit, or if it needs some maneuvering. We like to start with gentle counterpressure if a doe is having some trouble, then gently feel around a kids head which may help work it out on it's on and make sure the legs are properly positioned forward. Maneuver the kid to a correct position (2 legs forward either with a head or breach) if it is not and you may pull with the does contractions at a slightly downward angle using your hands or a Kellie's Kid Puller to give you a better grip. Make sure the kids airways are cleared, even if only the head has passed through the cervix. Learning the different ways kidding and kid positions can go wrong beforehand allows you to remain calmer and be better prepared in the event that something does go wrong. These resources go into more detailed instruction on kidding positions and how to assist a doe if necessary: 
     ~Fiasco Farm: How to Deliver a Kid
     ~Weed Em and Reap: Kidding Positions 

Post Kidding: Moms
      We like to give mom's a tablespoon or two of molasses mixed in a gallon of warm water after kidding to give them a boost of energy and something to enjoy. They love it. Ensure the doe has passed the placenta within a few hours. They may eat it. If the placenta has not passed within 12 hrs, she has a retained placenta and likely needs veterinary assistance. If assistance was needed during delivery, antibiotics should be given to prevent infection. Assess the does parasite load after kidding when they are more susceptible to a parasite bloom and treat if necessary. 

Post Kidding: Kids
     Kids airways should be cleared immediately after birth. We love to use a bulb syringe or "snot sucker".  Kids must nurse or be bottle fed colostrum (or colostrum replacer NOT colostrum supplement) within 2-4 hours of birth. I like to make sure they drink within an hour of birth. If being bottle-fed, it is recommended they receive 10-15% of their body weight in colostrum in their first 24 hours of life. Their umbilical cords are trimmed with sterile scissors and dipped in 7% iodine to prevent bacteria from entering the cord and causing joint ill.