Unpredictable.

I truly intended to post yesterday.  In fact, I even had the post written.  But being an aspiring goat farmer is sure to be unpredictable!

In my communication with the goat breeder where I purchased Edna,  I expressed an interest in seeing a goat give birth.  She said she would try and call me when some does were in labor.

Last night around 8:30pm, I was finishing up the day's duties.  The phone rang.  "Does in labor…Do you want to come?"  Within minutes, the car tires were crunching the dirt road while the full moon and twinkling stars smiled down.

When I arrived at the breeder's farm a little after 9pm, I found two little bucklings from two different does.  One goat that had given birth to a strong baby buckling.  The goat kid was a little bit premature, so his pointy Alpine ears were flopped down. Another doe had given birth to another buckling shortly before I arrived, but this buckling was in trouble.  His umbilical cord looked funny, and he was very lethargic.  The doe was supposed to have twins, but the second kid had not arrived.

I helped with the healthy buck.  For being only a few hours old, he was quite strong.  In the early hours after a kid is born, it is crucial for the kids to get their colostrum (a pudding-like milky substance full of antibodies and nutrients for the kid).  I fed him some out of a bottle, then helped him latch on to his dam.  The mama goat was really short, and the baby could hardly fit under her tummy to nurse.  He eventually resorted to laying down to get underneath her!

We kept waiting for the other doe to kid.  I got to feel her tight tummy, trying to feel if there was another kid or if she was contracting.  I had to leave at about 10:30pm, and there were still no more births.  However, I am still thankful for the opportunity to help with the newborn goat kids.  It was a sweet time!

Edna all cuddled up...

On the home front, I am experimenting with a new bottle-feeding schedule and some shelter changes.  I am especially trying to get the puppies to "bond" with Edna.  Although the puppies and the goat are only together with supervision, the new shelter arrangement allows them to watch each other 24/7.  Edna seems a bit more "tired" than usual, so I am watching her closely to make sure she is not getting sick or stressed from the changes!

Edna being "Protected"

Puppy and Goat Love!

Coming up next: To worm?  Or not to worm?