Kidding Season Preparation Timeline

Kidding season does not start when the first doe goes into labor. It starts months earlier with breeding decisions, and the preparation intensifies as due dates approach. Having a month-by-month timeline ensures nothing falls through the cracks — vaccinations happen on schedule, supplies are ready before you need them, and you are not scrambling at 2 AM because you forgot to buy iodine.

5 Months Before Kidding (Breeding Month)

• Record breeding dates for every doe. Exact dates give you accurate due dates (breeding date + 150 days).
• Confirm buck and doe pairings. If using hand breeding, observe and confirm successful breeding.
• If pen breeding, note the date the buck went in and came out to establish a due date window.
• FAMACHA check and deworm does if needed before breeding.
• Body condition score all does — target 3.0 to 3.5 at breeding. Thin does have lower conception rates.

4 Months Before (Early Pregnancy)

• Watch for does returning to heat 18 to 21 days after breeding — if she cycles, she did not settle.
• Ultrasound at 30 to 45 days to confirm pregnancy and count kids (optional but valuable).
• Maintain normal nutrition. No extra grain needed yet.
• This is a low-maintenance period — enjoy it.

3 Months Before (Mid Pregnancy)

• Hoof trim all pregnant does. Easier now than when they are heavy with kids.
• Body condition check. Does should be maintaining 3.0 to 3.5. Thin does need supplementation now.
• Order kidding supplies if anything needs to be purchased online — do not wait until the last week.
• Plan your kidding area. Which stalls will be kidding pens? Do they need repair or cleaning?

6 Weeks Before (Late Pregnancy Begins)

• CDT vaccination booster. This is the critical timing — 4 to 6 weeks before kidding. The booster ensures maximum antibody levels in colostrum, which protects kids in their first weeks.
• Begin increasing grain for does carrying multiples. Start at 0.5 lbs per day and increase gradually.
• Switch to higher quality hay if available (alfalfa or alfalfa-grass mix).
• Selenium and Vitamin E supplement (BoSe injection) in deficient areas — per your vet's protocol.

4 Weeks Before

• Does should be on their full late-pregnancy grain ration (0.5 to 1.5 lbs/day depending on size and kid count).
• Set up kidding stalls — clean, bed deeply with fresh straw, check that gates and latches work.
• Assemble kidding kit in a clean bin near the kidding area.
• Freeze colostrum from a CAE-negative doe (if available) as emergency backup.
• Test heat lamps and extension cords if kidding in cold weather.
• Program your vet's emergency number into your phone.

2 Weeks Before

• Move first-due does to kidding area so they are comfortable in the space before labor.
• Start checking ligaments daily — feel the ligaments on either side of the tail head. When they soften significantly, kidding is 12 to 48 hours away.
• Watch for udder development — filling, tightening, possible waxing (drops of colostrum on teat ends).
• Set up barn camera or baby monitor if using one.
• Prepare bottle feeding supplies in case a kid cannot nurse.
• Review kidding procedures — reread your birthing positions guide, watch a refresher video.

1 Week Before

• Check kidding kit — everything present and accessible?
• Iodine cups pre-filled
• Towels unfolded and stacked
• Bulb syringe, feeding tube, Pritchard nipples ready
• Flashlight batteries fresh
• OB gloves and lube if you might need to assist
• Nutri-Drench or CMPK for post-kidding doe support
• Scale for weighing kids
• Begin checking does twice daily (morning and evening at minimum)
• Reduce your own schedule commitments if possible — kidding season requires availability

Kidding Day and After

• See the full Kidding Checklist article for day-of procedures
• Record everything: date, time, sex of kids, weights, presentation, assistance level, dam condition
• Ensure colostrum intake within 1 hour
• Dip navels in iodine 2 to 3 times in the first 24 hours
• Monitor doe for placenta passage (4 to 12 hours)
• Start coccidia prevention program for kids at 3 to 4 weeks
• Schedule disbudding at 3 to 10 days (breed and sex dependent)
• Begin DHIA testing when the first does are settled into milking routine