CLIFFORD

GEORGIA

CLAIRE

WILLOW

Willow is 12 years old and doing amazing, but IMHO too old to be bred. It wasn’t planned, but she was bred. The birth did not go well and we had to call the vet for the first time during a kidding.

My daughter noticed Willow was in labor, but that it didn’t look right. Sure enough, she had birthed the placenta first. As time went by, Willow occasionally tried pushing but nothing was happening. She has always birthed 3 or 4 kids with no problems, so this was very concerning. I gloved up and felt around and noticed one kid not in its sac. I tried helping Willow all I could, but eventually I realized I couldn’t help in the way she needed and she couldn’t push this baby out herself. My daughter called the after hours vet and as we waited the hour for her to arrive I just sat with Willow and tried to make her feel comfortable. It was horrible. She was asking me for help and I just couldn’t help her.

When the vet arrived, she inserted a huge syringe of lube and got to work. She said Willow’s uterus was low and deep and the baby was in there further than typical. According to the vet, because Willow usually has 4 kids her uterus was stretched out. This time, because there was only 1 kid there just wasn’t enough happening to tell her body what it needed to do and she wasn’t dilated all the way. It’s likely the placenta was delivered first because it was what fit and could move through the canal. The vet pulled pretty damn hard and got the baby out. It was still alive. I was shocked. I was prepping myself mentally for our first newborn that didn’t make it. My daughter and I tended to the baby, while the vet helped Willow.

Both Willow and the baby came through the ordeal and are healthy. For me, though, it was a lesson in sticking to my gut. I knew she shouldn’t have been bred and I should have triple made sure that didn’t happen.

BETTY

#2kpioneer

The post 2023 Kidding Season appeared first on .

Thankfully another uneventful kidding season. All the mamas did great.

Our farm gained 7 bucks and 5 does.

I pushed out their kidding dates this year because I don’t like having babies in the colder, rainier weather. This year they were born the last week in April and first couple weeks in May – except for Moon, who kidded in July because her first breeding didn’t take.

Georgia

2 bucks

Willow

1 doe & 2 bucks

Wyldestyle

1 doe & 1 buck

Bunny

1 buck & 2 does

Moon

1 buck & 1 doe

#2kpioneer

The post 2019 Kidding Season appeared first on .

All the kids have been dam raised. They are already great foragers. They also receive lots of human interaction and are learning to trust us.

All bucks this year will be banded at 8 weeks and sold as wethers.

Goats are herd animals and should have other goats or companion animals to live with. Please do your research and learn about raising goats prior to purchasing.

Wethers are sold for $125 each or $100 if purchased with another goat from our farm. All other goats have a 10% discount if more than one is purchased.

The kids are bred from registered Nigerian Dwarf Goats. The does can be registered, at an extra cost, if desired by the purchaser.

[ 2019 KIDS ]

CG1
Wether

Elfin Acres F Tamarack  X  The BB Miss Georgia O’Keefe

DOB: 4/27/2019
Horn Status: Disbuddded
Availability: June 22nd
SOLD

* * * * *

CG2
Wether

Elfin Acres F Tamarack  X  The BB Miss Georgia O’Keefe

DOB: 4/27/2019
Horn Status: Disbuddded
Availability: June 22nd
SOLD

* * * * *

CW1
Wether

Elfin Acres F Tamarack  X  KK Snowd’N Edith

DOB: 4/29/2019
Horn Status: Disbuddded
Availability: June 24th
SOLD

* * * * *

CW2
Wether

Elfin Acres F Tamarack  X  KK Snowd’N Edith

DOB: 4/29/2019
Horn Status: Polled
Availability: June 24th
SOLD

* * * * *

CW3
Doe

Elfin Acres F Tamarack  X  KK Snowd’N Edith

DOB: 4/29/2019
Horn Status: Polled
Availability: June 24th
SOLD

* * * * *

CWS1
Wether

Elfin Acres F Tamarack  X  Plentywater WyldeStyle

DOB: 5/10/2019
Horn Status: Disbudded
Availability: July 5th
SOLD

* * * * *

CWS2
Doe

Elfin Acres F Tamarack  X  Plentywater WyldeStyle

DOB: 5/10/2019
Horn Status: Disbudded
Availability: July 5th
SOLD

* * * * *

CB1
Doe

Plentywater Wingman  X  Diji Farm Meredith

DOB: 5/13/2019
Horn Status: Disbudded
Availability: July 8th
RETAINED

* * * * *

CB2
Wether

Plentywater Wingman  X  Diji Farm Meredith

DOB: 5/13/2019
Horn Status: Polled
Availability: July 8th
SOLD

* * * * *

CB3
Doe

Plentywater Wingman  X  Diji Farm Meredith

DOB: 5/13/2019
Horn Status: Polled
Availability: July 8th
SOLD

* * * * *

[ YEARLINGS ]

Wander
Registered Buck

Elfin Acres F Tamarack  X  KK Snowd’N Edith

DOB: 3/5/2018
Horn Status: Polled
Availability: ready now
Registered Name: Plentywater Wanderlust
Sold as an intact male
SOLD

* * * * *

Betty
Registered Doe

Elfin Acres F Tamarack  X  The BB Miss Georgia O’Keefe

DOB: 3/2/2018
Horn Status: Scurs
Availability: ready now
Registered Name: Plentywater Wild Betty
RETAINED

* * * * *

Frankie
Wether

Elfin Acres F Tamarack  X  Diji Farm Meredith

DOB: 2/25/2018
Horn Status: Horns
Availability: ready now
$125

* * * * *

Click here to see our SALES POLICY

#2kpioneer

The post 2019 Goats for Sale appeared first on .

We will have 2 senior does that have kidded multiple times, Georgia (who kidded last year), and 2 first fresheners.

We will be using Tam again over three of our does. And, to keep Crash’s line going in our herd, Wingman will be bred to two of our does.

RESERVATIONS:
If you would like your name added to our reservations list, send us a message at ridgetopfarmandgarden@gmail.com noting your preferred breeding pair.

Reservations are free, but please check out our sales policy.

Doelings and Bucklings start at $300 and is dependent on lineage and characteristics.

Wethers are $125.

A discount may be offered on the purchase of multiple animals.

WILLOW & TAM

KK Snowd’N Edith *1M
ELFIN ACRES F TAMARACK FS86 (VV+ )

Possible Extra: Polled

Approximate Breeding Date: October 9th, 2018
Approximate Kidding Date: March 5th, 2019

BUNNY & WINGMAN

DIJI FARM MEREDITH FS86 (VV+V)
PLENTYWATER WINGMAN

Possible Extra: Polled

Approximate Breeding Date: October 9th, 2018
Approximate Kidding Date: March 5th, 2019

GEORGIA & TAM

THE BB MISS GEORGIA O’KEEFE
ELFIN ACRES F TAMARACK FS86 (VV+ )

Approximate Breeding Date: October 9th, 2018
Approximate Kidding Date: March 5th, 2019

MOON & WINGMAN

RTB SGW DANCE IN THE MOONLIGHT
PLENTYWATER WINGMAN

Possible Extras: Polled & Moonspots

Approximate Breeding Date: October 9th, 2018
Approximate Kidding Date: March 5th, 2019

WYLDESTYLE & TAM

PLENTYWATER WYLDESTYLE
ELFIN ACRES F TAMARACK FS86 (VV+ )

Approximate Breeding Date: October 9th, 2018
Approximate Kidding Date: March 5th, 2019

Goats are herd animals and should have other goats or companion animals to live with.

I spend a lot of time with and become quite attached to all the kids born on our farm, please do your research and learn about raising goats prior to purchasing.

The post 2019 Kidding Schedule appeared first on .

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

BB1
Wether

Elfin Acres F Tamarack  X  Diji Farm Meredith

DOB: 2/25/2018
Horn Status: Horned
Availability: ready now
$125

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

BG1
Wether

Elfin Acres F Tamarack  X  The BB Miss Georgia O’Keefe

DOB: 3/2/2018
Horn Status: Disbudded
Availability: SOLD

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

BG2
Doe

Elfin Acres F Tamarack  X  The BB Miss Georgia O’Keefe

DOB: 3/2/2018
Horn Status: Scurs
Availability: ready now
$300

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

BW1
Buck

Elfin Acres F Tamarack  X  KK Snowd’N Edith

DOB: 3/5/2018
Horn Status: Polled
Availability: May 7th
Sold as an intact male
$325

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

BW2
Wether

Elfin Acres F Tamarack  X  KK Snowd’N Edith

DOB: 3/5/2018
Horn Status: Disbudded
Availability: SOLD

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

BW3
Doe

Elfin Acres F Tamarack  X  KK Snowd’N Edith

DOB: 3/5/2018
Horn Status: Disbudded
Availability: SOLD

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Click here to see our SALES POLICY

The post 2018 Goats for Sale appeared first on .

We had three does due to kid the end of February to the beginning of March. Thankfully, all three mamas did great and we had a problem free kidding season.

We had such a mild winter with barely any snow, so I was hopeful the births would happen snow free. Nope. We received the most snow of the entire season during those couple weeks during kidding. The only snafu this caused was that we couldn’t use one of the kidding pens I planned to use.

BUNNY

Bunny surprised me just a little by having her baby a couple days sooner than I was expecting. She was in her kidding pen, though, so all was good. I was also a bit surprised that she had only one baby.

Farm Girl heard a goat making a horrible sound, when she investigated she noticed Bunny was in labor. We got to the barn just as Bunny birthed her little boy. We watched and watched expecting her to have another. After half an hour, both Farmer John & I checked her using the bouncing method and decided there were no more babies.

Because the temperature was below freezing I made the buckling a goat coat using fleece I had in my stash.

He was born on our friend’s birthday, so we started calling him Frankie. This worked out perfectly since one of my new favorite show’s is Grace & Frankie.

GEORGIA

Georgia, Georgia, Georgia.

She would have had her babies out in the snow. And, it’s all my fault.

I wasn’t expecting her to kid for another few days so I opened the stall door in case she wanted to go outside. She did. As I was about to go back inside the house I decided to check her backside for any indication that labor might be close. I noticed her vulva was a different shape. It had been puffy. Now it wasn’t puffy, but it was elongated. I right away brought her back into the barn and shut the door. I wasn’t expecting things to progress as quickly as they did, but I was hoping the change meant she was close.

Since Georgia had a change, I walked over and checked Willow. She did not have any noticeable changes, so I went back to peek at Georgia. Holy Guacamole, she was in active labor! She was laying down in obvious distress making a horrid sound.

I literally turned around, walked a couple feet, and grabbed the goat cam. Within those few seconds she pushed out her first baby – a boy. I stood there in awe and within another minute or two she delivered her second kid. This time a girl. It happened so quickly, I’m not even sure she knew she had another baby.

Doe on the left. Buck on the right. Their markings are incredibly similar, but the little girl’s tan areas are darker and redder than the little boy’s.

Georgia was a first freshener, so I was slightly concerned about how she would do during labor. She did fabulously. Below is her labor video.

WILLOW

I was getting a bit nervous about Willow. I was expecting her to kid over a week sooner than she did. For the most part, she didn’t seem in distress. But, there was a time two days before she delivered that I thought for sure she was in labor. When I checked her, her vulva was actually open a bit. Then later she was laying with one leg out obviously uncomfortable. A couple hours later – nothing. She went back to her typical self.

The next day – nothing. No indication that something was wonky the day before or that labor would happen soon.

The next morning, before taking the kids to school, I checked on her. I noticed nothing.

By the time I got back from school, she had 3 babies. I was so relieved!

She had 2 bucks and a doe.

I did get video of Willow’s birth. But, since the little rascal opted to have her babies in the short amount of time I was not home, the video is all from the goat cam.

This was our second kidding season. Last year we missed Willow’s birth by just minutes also. So this year I was determined to learn how to know when a goat is nearing labor.

I researched the topic and put up camera’s so I could watch their every move. I watched a ridiculous amount of Goat TV searching for signs that labor was near.

What I learned is that no amount of Goat TV will really give an indication of when labor is near. None of my goats gave early signs. I even went back and watched video prior to their labor’s searching for signs. Virtually nothing. One time Bunny pawed at the ground – big deal, Moon paws at the ground or backs of people and other goats all the time and she’s not even pregnant. Willow had a bit of excitement, but that was two days before she gave birth. I already knew she was close, so that didn’t really tell me anything I didn’t already know – expect cause me to worry something might be wrong.

None of the typical signs happened until they were in active labor. I was hoping for signs a little sooner.

I need more practice before the tail ligaments give me a clue to labor being near. I started feeling what I thought were their ligaments about a month before they were due. Unfortunately, I didn’t notice much of a change. Willow and Bunny’s may have been getting softer, but not so much that it was a clear indication of labor. And, Georgia’s always seemed loosey goosey to me.

I will continue my labor sleuthing skills next year.

I am incredibly thankful for the seemingly easy, trouble free births. We have 3 mama’s who did great and a total of 6 healthy babies.

The post 2018 Kidding Season appeared first on .

When I realized Willow surely was pregnant I began researching the items I would need for the birth. Willow had kidded multiple times, but this was a first for me. So I had to purchase most everything we would need.

SUPPLIES I PURCHASED

This is everything I bought:

Except for the puppy pads, everything fits nicely inside the bucket.

So, what exactly did I buy and why?

Here’s my list:
HAIR TRIMMERS… I read it was better to shave the doe prior to birth, so the kidding goo has less places to stick to. I didn’t think Willow needed this, so I skipped this step.
PUPPY PADS... to wipe off newly born, wet kids
HEAD LAMP… to see at night and to see if baby is in correct position when bubble first appears
OB GLOVES... in case I had to go in
BETADINE… iodine based skin cleanser
NASAL ASPIRATOR… to clear out baby’s nose and mouth
FLOSS… to tie off umbilical cord
SCISSORS… to cut umbilical cord
TRIODINE-7… 7% iodine to sterilize equipment and to dip umbilical cords in
SMALL CONTAINER… to pour triodine in to dip cords
NIPPLES… I bought the Pritchard brand. Use if kid needs bottle fed
16oz SODA BOTTLE… to use as milking bottle, if needed
COLOSTRUM POWDER… to have on hand in case baby doesn’t get colostrum from doe
1cc SYRINGE… to feed baby colostrum, if needed
CALCIUM DRENCH… in case doe shows signs of low calcium/hypocalcemia
MOLASSES… added to water for mama; she’s worked hard
THERMOMETER… to check temp in case of infection
KETONE TEST STRIPS... to test for toxemia or ketosis, if needed

Just because I like to keep track of things, the total cost to purchase all these items was $156.71
I didn’t use all the items for this kidding. But, they can be used for general goat health or later kiddings.

SUPPLIES I USED

What I did use:
PUPPY PADS… We used quite a few of these to wipe off the babies. Towels or paper towels would have worked, too.
NASAL ASPIRATOR… All 4 kids in this birth were breathing on their own when we got there, but I tried getting out gunk anyway.
TRIODINE-7 & SMALL CONTAINER… Dipped the umbilical cords in
NIPPLES & SODA BOTTLE… Since there were 4 kids I was unsure if I needed to supplement. I tried a couple times. They didn’t love it and I thought Willow was doing a fine job feeding everyone, so I quit. About 10 days after their birth, though, I think I’ll start supplementing.
CALCIUM DRENCH… Willow never showed weakness, but I gave her the calcium drench anyway. I need to research if that was ok.
MOLASSES… Willow loved this in her water

Thankfully this was a problem-free birth and I didn’t need a few of my purchases. And now I’m all set up for next time. Yay!

The post Kidding Supplies Bucket appeared first on .

Last week we had our first kidding on our little farm! Thankfully Willow is an experienced mother and everything went perfectly.

Since this was my first kidding experience, I did a lot of research on the subject. The #1 thing I continued to read was be there for the birth just in case the mother needs assistance.

I purposely didn’t plan extra things for about a week before her due date and a week after, just to be sure we would be home. However… with three of my own children it’s nearly impossible to stay home 24/7. Farmer John was not home, so in the afternoon I ran the kids to an orthodontist appointment then to taekwondo. I peeked at Willow before we left and she didn’t appear to be behaving any differently. The only odd-for-her behavior I noticed was the night before when I came to see her at the fence she didn’t get up to greet me. I tried numerous times to feel if the ligaments at her tail had loosened, as that can be a clue that birthing is near. But she didn’t like me messing around back there, so I never did get a very good feel.

Long story, short, we totally missed Willow birthing the babies. We literally got home as she was pushing out her 4th and final kid.

The good news is all 4 babies looked great and we were there in time to dry them off.

Willow did such a great job tending to her four little ones.

Not long after they were born, I dipped their umbilical cords in triodine-7. I’m still not sure if I should have tied the cords with dental floss and cut them shorter before dipping them. They didn’t seem obnoxiously long and a week later it doesn’t seem like there is a problem. But, it is something I should learn more about for next time.

Almost 2 hours later, Willow got real serious and in a zone. She was pushing out the placenta. When it was all out, she devoured it. She seemed to really enjoy it.

One mistake I made was misjudging the weather. Farmer John built Willow a covered kidding stall outside. It’s kind of enclosed, but not well. I wasn’t too concerned because I knew she was kidding during the summer. When we got home, though, to her giving birth it was a tad windy and I was cold. I thought if I was cold, it couldn’t be great for the damp babies. So I quickly cleaned out Georgia and Willow’s house, moved Georgia out and Willow and the babies inside. Farmer John moved the ceiling mount heater we have for the chicks into the goat house. This was a life saver for the first few chilly nights. You can just barely see the heater in the top of this photo above Willow’s head.

The next morning, everyone looked pretty well dried off, but not quite ready to bounce around much.

I know it won’t always be this easy, but I’m so happy things went so well for our first time. Willow is a pro.

The post Our First Kidding appeared first on .