February 7, 2018

More Baby Goats!


Monday was Violet's turn. She was off by herself most of the day, so I reckoned her time was close. Between 4:30 and 5 p.m. she delivered twins.

Buckling (right) was firstborn, doeling (left) came shortly after.

They're huge! Violet and Jessie had the same size baby bellies, but Jessie was carrying three small babies and Violet two big ones.


Violet's little girl has had a slow start. Kids are normally born feet first. Either front feet in a "nosedive" position, or back feet in a breech position. This little girl tried to come out nose first. In that case it helps to gently reach in to find feet to pull out first. I found one, but not the other. Even so she delivered easily. However she had contracted tendons in her front feet. Our very first kid had this and at the time I thought the kid was deformed. I tried to splint it and took him to the vet. The vet explained that it was caused the way the kid was lying in the womb. He recommended leaving it alone and that exercise would work it out. Sure enough, he was right.

Little doeling looked black at first, but has dried to
a salt and pepper mix of black with few brown patches.


But besides being reluctant to get up and move around, this little girl was lethargic as well. Newborns do sleep a lot, but after about a day or so they are usually getting more energetic. I find that giving kids NutriDrench really helps in that case, so she got a dose. She's doing a whole lot better today.



Violet's twins got sweaters to wear too, except that unlike Jessie's triplets, theirs almost fit them.



And these were some of my smaller sweaters!

Now I have five days before Daisy's due date! Then that will be it until April.

More Baby Goats! © Feb 2018 by Leigh

17 comments:

Mama Pea said...

Good to hear the little (big!) doeling is coming around. Your excellent care counts for a lot in this case! Your sweaters are a work of art. No cut off sweatshirts for these little cute bundles of kids!

Still sending healing thoughts for Dan. Hope he's able to get good rest 'cause that's when real healing takes place.

Living Alone in Your 60's said...

The goats are adorable hope Dad continues getting better.

9658 Textiles said...

Thank you so much for sharing this experience! I will live vicariously through you. <3 wishing the new families love in the new year.

tpals said...

Fun how they look like they're all ears at first. :)

Love the sweaters!

Mrs Shoes said...

I'm awfully glad to hear Dan is healing, but I second the thought that it does take more rest to heal properly than we are often willing to take, especially the kind of folk that feel the pressure of time & whose work ethic drives them to sometimes go beyond common sense. I have no doubt he is frustrated by now already - sit on him if you have to Leigh!

Baby goats, so so LOVE! When you have triplets, do you ever have to put one on another doe, or are goats just that good at mothering and producing enough milk for 3?

Mike Yukon said...

Well, I guess it's time to break the news to Dan, hurry up and heal those fingers because you need a bigger barn! :-)

Debbie - Mountain Mama said...

Wow, more baby goats, you must be just drowning in cuteness!! How many goats do you now have?

Leigh said...

Mama Pea, it's hard to see them struggle when they walk but at least I know that exercise will cure it! I have used sweatshirt sleeves in the past, but I love to knit so it's fun to make the little sweaters. It's a good wintertime project.

Thanks Tania, it's going to be a long road for Dan, I think.

Thank you 9658 Textiles!

tpals, those ears are Kinder trademarks. :)

Mrs. Shoes, he can't really do much so rest is the main thing on the agenda!

Mike, that's the hard part, putting everything on hold. We made really good progress for awhile, so this is a set back. But he's more important than the barn and we've got adequate shelter for the goats, so we'll have to rest on that.

Debbie, let's see, with the babies we have 13 goats with two more pregnant does. Ordinarily I keep six does and two bucks.

The Wykeham Observer said...

I hope the little doe continues her progress. She and the little buck are so cute. I'm sure they feel good in their jackets. Good luck all around there! Best wishes for your husb. to heal fast. Phil

Lady Locust said...

Those are some big kids! Even before you said so, I thought wow they look big. I wonder if it's just the picture- nope.

Henny Penny said...

I'm so glad you share this with us. It just touches mt heart to see these newborn babies. How do you ever leave them and go back inside.

Susan said...

There is honestly nothing quite as wonderful as newborn kids and lambs. They really are bigger than the first three! I love the sweaters - and good thing you have them, as this has been one very cold winter for you.

M.K. said...

Oh my goodness, they are so cute! I'm glad she is perking up.

Goatldi said...

Good job Violet! Cute and I love the does coloring.

I agree more often than not after a day or two those legs cramped from being in a crowded womb do extend on their own. I have found it handy to keep the inner rolls of the vet wrap I keep on hand for bandaging if needed.

They are firm and usually just the right size for those newborn legs. They can be cut down in length if needed and a bit of padding(quilt bat scraps are good) added to make them fit more snugly if too large. I know some folks used TP or PT inner rolls but I have found the one inside the vet wrap roll to be much more sturdy and will usually hold up a few days if needed.

Looking forward to the next installment to the growing herd.

Sandy Livesay said...

Leigh,
So precious, makes me want to have goats!
Love the sweaters you've made.
Hugs,
Sandy

Mark said...

Love the little sweaters! And those are some good size kids. I'm so glad it all went well. Still praying for Dan and you.

Madness, Trouble, Squish and Milkbone said...

Bebe goats make me so happy. Just look at how cute they are!