It is such a fun, exciting, busy time of year. Our farm gained 9 does & 6 bucks this spring from 5 mamas and 3 baby daddys.
My method of assisting the births is very hands off. I watch the mamas obsessively when their due date is approaching. I like to be there for the births in case they need help. But, I will only intervene if there is a problem. I am trusting the goats to know what they’re doing.
GEORGIA
2 Does & 1 Buck
Georgia is a champ. Birthing just seems to come easy for her.
We missed the births by just minutes. But when we got there, everything looked perfect.
These three are so very friendly – which is funny because Georgia is not the most loving goat.
MOON
2 Does & 1 Buck
Moon gave birth a few days before I was expecting. So, I was surprised one morning to find 3 cuties beside her.
Last year, Moon’s first freshening, I was not too impressed with her mothering skills. This year she is much better, thankfully.
WILLOW
2 Does & 2 Bucks
Poor Willow. She gets so, so big. She handles it well, though, and is always such a good mama.
I knew Willow was getting close to giving birth. So I kept checking on her. But, it was getting late so I finally left her alone. Sure enough, two hours later she gave birth to 4 kids.
WYLDESTYLE
2 Does & 1 Buck
I watched WyldeStyle the entire time she was in active labor and after kidding. I could tell she was getting close, so I just camped in the barn with her.
Her first kid came with little concern. Things seemed to be happening as they should and baby number 1 was born. She was very attentive to the baby, licking and talking to it.
Occasionally WyldeStyle would sit and push, but then get back to caring for Baby #1. We were nearing the half an hour mark and still not another baby. I was starting to get concerned because WyldeStyle behaved as if there was another one to be born.
Eventually, Baby #2 did come. But, the sac didn’t break. The baby just layed there completely surrounded and unable to take a breath. WyldeStyle didn’t try to help it because Baby #3 was coming.
Baby #3 was born the same way – without the sac breaking.
I waited as long as I could stand it. I was hoping the sacs would break and WyldeStyle would start doing her thing. But, they didn’t. So I went in the pen and wiped the babies clear. WyldeStyle right away got to licking. And all turned out well.
This was a new experience for me. I don’t know what the outcome would have been had we not been there.
BETTY
1 Doe & 1 Buck
Betty kind of surprised me. I wasn’t sure Betty was pregnant, but about 2 months before she gave birth I decided she was. She was looking a bit rounder and had a small udder.
As her kidding date got closer, though, I was having some doubts. Her body shape wasn’t changing, her udder wasn’t getting bigger. She wasn’t looking uncomfortable. My only clue that she might be was that she was a lot more interested in us humans. She wanted attention and to be pet – which is not her typical personality.
Her kidding date came and went. No kids. So I decided she must not be having babies.
And then…
I went to the barn to check on WyldeStyle and her babies the morning after they were born and I heard the tiniest cry from the other stall. Sure enough, Betty had recently given birth to 2 kids. One was up and crying. The other was laying there in its sac, still as can be. It was alive, but barely. I quickly cleaned her a bit and gave her back to Betty. Betty was not interested. So, I took her inside, kept her warm, and fed her a bit of colostrum. I didn’t have high hopes for her. She just wasn’t improving. Within minutes, kids are up and looking for milk. She wasn’t even trying to get up. It took her a couple hours. But eventually she seemed to be perking up, so I took her back out to Betty. Betty finally welcomed her and all seemed ok. Update: We ended up keeping this amazing little fighter. We named her Clifford and one year later she is doing fabulously.
These two were the smallest kids we’ve ever had. The little girl didn’t even weigh 2 pounds and the boy weighed just at 2 pounds.
Two weeks later, I can say these two are as spry and spunky as our other goat babies. And Betty is a fabulous mama. I’m really very impressed with her. ❤
#2kpioneer
