Kidding season is one of the most exciting, and occasionally nerve-wracking, times of the year here at Rafter O. After years of welcoming Mini Nubian kids, we’ve learned that the best way to keep things calm and efficient is to have a well-stocked kidding kit ready before the first doe even thinks about going into labor.
Nothing is worse than a doe pushing while you’re running around the barn looking for gloves or towels. Having everything organized and within reach lets you focus on what matters most, helping mama deliver healthy kids.
Here’s what we keep on hand.
The Basic Kidding Kit
This is the kit we use for nearly every birth. It holds the everyday tools and supplies that make kidding clean, organized, and efficient.
Our setup is simple. Everything lives in a hook ‘n feed bucket that can be hung in the kidding stall when needed. It keeps supplies off the ground, easy to see, and right where we need them when things start happening.
Organization & Clean-Up
- Trash bag
- Puppy pads
- Paper towels
- Towels
These help keep the kidding area clean and dry. Puppy pads are especially handy for catching fluids or setting newborn kids on while we get them dried off.
Protective Gear
- Nitrile gloves – make sure they are your size. We wear these no matter what, and might change pairs a few times during kidding.
- OB gloves – these are longer sleeved gloves if we must assist and “go in.”
- Lubricant – never assist dry. Always use lube.
Most kiddings go smoothly, but when you need to assist, you want to be prepared. Gloves and lube are essential anytime you have to check positioning or help guide a kid.
Delivery & Kid Care
- Bulb syringe
- Scalpel blade
The bulb syringe helps clear mucus from a newborn’s mouth or nose if needed.
A scalpel blade is useful for popping a sac and can also be used to trim umbilical cords.
Navel Care
- Fight Bac – used to disinfect the navel area
- Umbilical spray – we switched to the new Umbirez Umbilical Spray this year, and it is performing magically. Previously, we used Vetericyn Super 7 Ultra Navel Care. Both are great products.
- Navel clips – these are used if the navel cord is longer. Sometimes, the dams will chew them off, and no clip is needed.
Proper navel care is critical to preventing infections in newborn kids. We spray the umbilical cord shortly after birth to disinfect and protect the open tissue and clip if needed. We spray again before leaving momma and baby, and again several hours after birth if the cord was longer.
Lighting & Comfort
- Headband – keep your hair out of the way
- Headlamp – the rechargeable, lightweight ones that tilt are best
- Stool or small chair
- Heat lamp – helpful for warming kids if temperatures are chilly or if a kid needs a little extra help drying and staying warm
- Human snacks and beverages – because kidding season can mean long nights in the barn, and you might be there awhile
Kidding often happens at the most inconvenient hours, usually late at night or before sunrise. A good headlamp keeps your hands free, and a small stool makes long waits beside a doe a lot more comfortable.
The Emergency Kidding Kit
Most deliveries go perfectly fine on their own, but when something doesn’t look right, having a second kit ready can make a huge difference.
This kit stays nearby and only comes out if we need a little extra help.
Monitoring & Assessment
- Stethoscope
- Digital thermometer
A stethoscope allows us to listen for a kid’s heartbeat if we’re unsure what’s happening inside the doe. A thermometer can help quickly assess a weak or chilled kid.
Assisted Delivery Tools
- Kellie’s Kid Puller
This specialized tool can help apply gentle traction during difficult births. When used correctly, it can be incredibly helpful in getting a stuck kid delivered safely.
Kid Revival
- Lamb/Kid Resuscitator
This device helps stimulate breathing in newborn kids that need a little encouragement to get going. The Lamb/Kid Resuscitator is a constant delivery resuscitator designed to inflate the lungs of newborns that are unable to breathe but still have a heartbeat.
One person can operate the Resuscitator using a simple push/pull action. Valves at each end do all of the work. The aspirator mask is attached to the wide end of the pump to draw out mucus or fluids that may be blocking the airway. Once clear, the aspirator mask is removed and the resuscitator mask is attached to the narrow end of the pump. A bi-directional valve allows the animal to exhale without removing the unit, then pumps fresh air back into the lungs.
Includes C10 pump, aspirator mask, resuscitator mask, and case.
Feeding & Newborn Support
- Colostrum – frozen goat colostrum or powdered backup in case a doe cannot provide enough
- Bottle and Pritchard nipple – useful if a kid needs assistance getting that first meal
- Cayenne pepper – a small amount rubbed on the tongue can stimulate breathing and circulation in sluggish newborn kids. It’s an old farm trick that many breeders swear by
Weighing & Records
- Hanging scale
- Kid sling or small bucket to weigh kids
Recording birth weights can be very helpful for tracking growth and evaluating genetics over time.
Preparation Makes Kidding Season Easier
Most of the time, does handle kidding beautifully on their own. But having the right supplies ready means you can step in quickly if help is needed.
At Rafter O, preparation helps us stay calm, organized, and ready for whatever kidding season brings. When the barn starts filling up with those wobbly-legged Mini Nubian kids, you’ll be glad everything is already within arm’s reach.
Every breeder develops their own system over time, but the goal is always the same: healthy does, healthy kids, and a kidding season that goes as smoothly as possible. Taking a little time to prepare your kidding kit ahead of time can make all the difference when the big moment arrives.
Download our Kidding Kit Checklist below.
