How to Check Tail Ligaments to Know When Your Goat Will Kid

One of the best ways to tell when your doe is getting close to kidding is by checking her tail ligaments. Those small, cord-like bands that run alongside the tail head. As a goat’s due date approaches, these ligaments gradually soften and eventually disappear completely, signaling that labor is just around the corner.

It can take some practice to learn what “normal” ligaments feel like versus ones that are soft or gone, but once you get the hang of it, this method becomes one of the most reliable indicators that kidding is near.

Below are photos and explanations to help you see and feel the difference between a doe who’s still a ways off and one who’s about to kid. If you watch the videos alongside these pictures, you’ll get a clearer idea of what to look for and how the ligaments change as labor approaches.

First, below is a goat with normal ligaments not about to kid. If you take a glance at the picture then watch the video, you can see where my fingers rub over the ligament. There's no give, it's like strumming a guitar string. This is a great place to start so you know what it is you're looking for in the first place. You can find them on any non pregnant goat, or a pregnant goat not close to kidding.

Below is a goat that is about to kid. If you take a glance at the picture then watch the video, you can see where my fingers run right through where the ligament would normally be. In her case it has completely disappeared, I can touch my fingers all the way around her spine right where they should be. Once they completely disappear like this, they usually kid within 12 hours. If you can find the ligaments at all (even loose) I wouldn't start the clock, they can still tighten and relax for days or weeks. It's when they are nowhere to be found that labor is imminent usually. Sometimes you can even wrap your fingers around like in the video and still feel them. They will completely be unfindable when it's time.