I want to start off by saying I am no kidding expert! In fact I am far from it. I am however learning fast. I'm being forced too actually. I have been relying on friends, especially my closest friend Michelle from BRC boers, Richard and Sandy from Richard and Sandy's Boer Goats, Laura & Fred Newman from Stabler Farms and fellow CBGA members. Number one thing for preparing for kidding I'd say is have contacts in place! If an emergency arrives which believe me it will, you'll know exactly who to call. Belonging to an email list helps out before you even start kidding. Everyone kids all year long, get information BEFORE it happens to you!!

Have a vet. My vet is mainly a cat and dog vet, but she does have her own herd of sheep which helps out tremendously, but I'd definitely recommend a vet that specializes in goats if you have one close because they will be invaluable.

Preparation is definitely the key. Have kidding stalls ready so the does can be by themselves when the kid(s) arrive.  Plan ahead. I put mine in the day before their 10 day window.

Know when you are expecting to kid. If you are planning to kid in the cold, winter months (I highly do not recommend it) make sure you have measures in place to keep the kids warm!

 

Have vaccines and other supplements you may need if you have to bottle feed a kid.  The best is whole milk, & buttermilk.

Have goat colostrum on hand. Actual colostrum from mom would be best, but if not, find some! Supplements from the store aren't as good, but find one with antibodies. Don't just buy the cheapest. 

Have a kidding kit. Everything you might need to not only assist delivery, but anything for the goats. I have one, use it alot, need a bigger one because you always find more stuff you wish was in it. (I'll make a list of what's in mine some other time)

Give CD & T shots 3 weeks before does kid, I'm going to start adding bose shots 3 weeks before also as a precaution. (Be careful there has been some reports of does aborting, though I haven't seen it myself.) More than half of my kids showed signs of selenium deficiency. Symptoms varied, from minor to major.  This is what I do it may or may not work for your herd.  Kids get 0.25-0.5ml of bose at birth and you can give Bovi-Sera (or Poly-Serum) and if bottle babies CD/T anti-toxin.

Before assisting your doe with her delivery, be prepared. Ask yourself some questions. Is she without a doubt in trouble? Is your goal to save the kids? The Doe? Both? And if you make things worse instead of better, are you ready for the consequences? (Like losing the kids & the doe).

Part of Tip #8, is You think your doe is in trouble, are you just going to wait? How long do you wait? Can you deal with the consequences of not "acting"? Like losing the kids and the doe. These two tips or questions (#8 #9) I'm speaking from going through this issue. You do the best you can at that time and make your decisions. But If you think it out before hand, you won't have to second guess yourself later. No regrets. You do what you do and it either works out or it doesn't. BUT you and your goat(s) have to live with the decision/consequences. No pressure to make that "right" decision. :)- Someone told me, "If it was easy, everyone would be raising goats."

Go with your gut. Listen to everyone, ask questions, get advice, but do what you think is right.  You know your goats better than anyone else..