 |
| Lily and her newborn twins |
At 4:45 yesterday morning when I went to check on Ziggy and Lily, all was quiet. Lily was just standing there and Ziggy was lying down. When I do a pregnant goat check, I always wait and watch for awhile, to make sure I'm not just taking a peek between contractions. Nothing was going on, so I went back to the house to do some writing. It was light by 6:15, so I went out to get ready for milking.
As I approached the goat shed, I heard the bleating of a baby goat! When I got there, I found this....
I grabbed my birthing kit, camera, and a towel to start drying this little one off. I didn't even have time to check the sex before a second kid was presenting. Considering how vociferous and determined the first kid was to get a first meal, I figured it must be a boy.
Honestly, I don't think Lily even pushed, but suddenly there was baby number two.
I was delighted to discover that they are both little does. I had to check about six times to make sure. But it was true, both girls.
Lily wasn't very sure about nursing them at first. It does happen that does occasionally reject kids, but I hadn't seen any indication that she wasn't interested. She loves to be brushed, so I held her collar and brushed her while the kids got their bellies full of colostrum. After that she didn't mind.
So what do we look like all cleaned up and dried off?
 |
| Firstborn twin |
The firstborn has markings and coloring similar to Alphie. The second isn't what I'd call solid white, but more of a cream, like Elvis. Lily's mother was very similar to Elvis in color and markings.
 |
| Second born twin |
What did the others think? Was Ziggy at all inspired by this blessed event?
 |
| Ziggy, don't you want a turn too? |
Not really. She showed only a mild interest but made no effort to join the ranks of 2013 goat motherhood. Surprise and Alphie were equally disinterested.
 |
| Lily's Kikobians |
So there are Kikobians numbers two and three. I've got a good start on my little Kikobian herd!
Lily! Twins!! Girls!!! © May 2013
Congrats Lily! And Leigh! Now, come on Ziggy, get to work.
ReplyDeleteAwww, congrats:)
ReplyDeleteI've been checking in regularly to see if there had been any arrivals. I'm so pleased to see that not only was it a double delivery but females to boot. Congrats. It's a great result for your herd ambitions.
ReplyDeleteSue, thanks! Honestly, I don't see how Ziggy can last much longer.
ReplyDeleteCindi, thanks!
Anonymous, thank you so much. If Alphie is any indicator of the Nubian/Kiko cross, they should make nice homestead goats.
Jean, isn't this a fun time of year? Ziggy's next potential due date is next week, so, fingers crossed!
So sweet...like a little Yin and Yang :)
ReplyDeleteThey are absolute darlings, congratulations to both the 4 legged and 2 legged Mommas!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, they are so adorable! ! Congratulations :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the TWO doelings! I'm jealous :)
ReplyDeleteAnd what a great kidding....POP! And they're here!
Come ON Ziggy!!
YAY!!! When I saw the title, I broke into a huge grin & was like, "Girl, it's about time!!" :) Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteYay! They are adorable!
ReplyDeleteCan't believe we are still waiting for Ziggy!
That's about a 10 on the cuteness scale. So glad mama and babies are doing well!
ReplyDeleteGood for Lily! They are beautiful kids.
ReplyDeleteCome on, Ziggy! Aren't you tired of being such a wide load?
Alphie is almost as big as bis mom! They grow up so fast, don't they?
Now that's a wonderfully big increase to your homestead herd of goats! They look to be good-sized twins. Gotta say I'm partial to the darker colored one. Names, please?
ReplyDeleteMay Ziggy kid as effortlessly as Lily!
Yay for litle doelings. They are both beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHard to believe Ziggy has not exploded by now. Good luck, hope she kids soon.
ReplyDeleteTanya, LOL. My first thought was salt and pepper. :)
ReplyDeleteJacqueline, thanks! They're always so cute when they're little.
Stephanie, thanks!
Carolyn, after Surprise's problems, this was a blessing indeed.
Ginny, thanks! And oh yes, I'm delighted to have girls!
Cecilia, and all this time I thought she'd kid first. :)
CrankyPuppy, they are so adorable when they're teeny, aren't they?
Benita, I'd hoped Ziggy would be inspired! And Alphie seems like a real chunk in comparison, LOL
Mama Pea, no names yet. I'm still watching and waiting on that. The dark one is really pretty, isn't she?
Nina, thank!
TL, I keep thinking it's any day now, but the next due date would be next week. Hard to believe she can hold out any longer!
Way to go Lily. Very cute kids. Come on Ziggy!
ReplyDeleteI don't believe it - maybe Ziggy just ate a sponge that won't come out?:) ebony and ivory are very cute - and it's nice that they came on their own without help. now I can't get that song out of my head:)
ReplyDeletegood luck for the wolf that Ziggy apparently swallowed:)
Bettina
YAY congrats and what lovely little does!
ReplyDeleteThey are too sweet! We hope to have goats one day, but for now, I will adore looking at yours! Keeping my fingers crossed for Ziggy!
ReplyDeleteMy first thought when I saw your post on my reader was "OH YAY! Ziggy finally had her babies!" Then I saw it was Lily. LOL
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! They're adorable. You're gonna need a bigger shed here fast. ;)
I can't believe how big Alphie is.
Congrats! You must be so pleased to get two does.
ReplyDeleteSo adorable! I've been tempted to bring a goat or two onto my little five-acre farm. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteGreat news! And both does! They seem to be healthy and large - congratulations. Now... ZigGY! ZigGY!
ReplyDeleteLeigh,
ReplyDeleteTalk about a very nice morning here. It's great to see Lily was just fine with her deliveries, the babies are adorable. Congrats on your new little girls.
Ziggy's baby (ies) are waiting to make a grand entrance. Timing isn't right yet!!!
Hooray!!! Congratulations! They are beautiful! I just l-o-v-e the chamoisee coloration, and they look like my favorite breed!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to mommy Lily! The kids are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteCongrats! That's great news, and well done Lily!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about checking and rechecking the gender. I did the same thing with Violet and Lily of the Valley's girls this year ;)
Wonderful; congratulations!!! The news couldn't have been any better – unless Ziggy had also lambed (with triplet does!).
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect outcome! Ziggy, take notes.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! Thank God for an easy birth(s) and healthy kids! Good job, Lily! (Now we're looking at YOU, Ziggy.)
ReplyDeleteYay! Congrats! They are so cute and I'm happy for the growth of your homestead!
ReplyDeleteHurray for two little girls! Ziggy, you need to get busy!
ReplyDeleteSpring time is such an exciting birthing season...congrats on the twins...Ziggy looks so 'full' of life. Can't wait to see if it's also twins for her.
ReplyDeleteBlessYa
Double adorable :) Congrats on two healthy little ones and a happy new Mama :D
ReplyDeleteAdorable baby girls indeed, congratulations Leigh and Lily. Now Ziggy, that's how it's done girl . . . let's get going okay?
ReplyDeleteHow precious and their both does....yay! So happy all is well and happy! Congrats, Leigh and goaties!
ReplyDeleteAwwe. Excellent. Now Zigs needs to step up.
ReplyDeleteHave we been waiting, or what? They are adorable! YEA!!! GIRLS!!! Almost a herd!
ReplyDeleteDFW, we're really pleased. :)
ReplyDeleteBettina, I'm thinking she ate double watermelons. :)
Sherry, thanks!
Jaclyn, thank you! Goats are truly a joy, especially the little ones.
Renee, I think you're right. We do have plans for a "barn". Nothing actually huge, but bigger than what we've got. And Alphie, he's only 8 weeks old!
Candace, thanks! We're almost up to 50/50 in our homestead goat births.
Mary, thanks! Oh, you should. But better make it two. They are herd animals and love companionship. :)
Susan, let me open the window so she can hear you!
Sandy, I'm just hoping Ziggy's time is soon, maybe next week. Both of this year's deliveries have been on Wednesdays, so who knows.
Michelle, thanks! Actually I was wondering what to call her coloring. I need to find a good webpage that shows them all. Do you know of one?
Shannon, many thanks!
Quinn, it's as though we don't believe our own eyes, LOL
Michelle, thanks! I'm thinking at least triplets for Ziggy. :)
Sylvanna, thanks! I'm relieved and very happy.
Debbie, oh yes, Praise the Lord for easy births!
Ashley, thank you so much!
Martha, poor Ziggy is getting pretty tired of it actually. I know she'll be glad to not have to carry that load around any more.
Dar, good to hear from you! Twins at least!
April, thanks!
Janice, it's funny, but sometimes Lily actually looks at me as if to say, "Now, what am I supposed to do with them?"
Pam, thank you!
Cloud, I confess I get worn out just watching Ziggy. She's a trooper though.
Barb, thanks! Keepers for sure. :)
Two girls, what a treat! Glad it was problem free. Now Ziggy, it's your turn next!
ReplyDeleteWow, congrats! They're adorable.
ReplyDeleteOohhh, how totally adorable they are!! Congratulations to all of you! xo
ReplyDeleteSWEET!!!
ReplyDeleteLeigh, I'm so glad it turned out fine. Two doe kids to boot! Congrads!
ReplyDelete...Su
...kaufarmer.blogspot.com
Ok, here's a genetics question: If Elvis is the sire of Alphie and the girls, can he only then breed with Surprise and Lily every year? Are you only going to breed Alphie to the girls and whatever girls Surprise and Lily have? At what point do you not breed back a sire to his offspring and how far away do they have to be?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lesson!
Hurray! They look so sweet and how very nice for two does! Ziggy is building up for quite an audience. :D
ReplyDeleteHi Leigh, this is the best coloration page I've beena able to find so far: http://nigeriandwarfcolors.weebly.com/coat-colors.html
ReplyDeleteHTH!
Congrats to Lily and you Leigh! Those adorable kidlets need flower names. Daffodil for the creamy one and trillium for the dark.... well, that would be my suggestion if i may ;o)
ReplyDeletecome on Ziggy! i can't wait to see what she's got in there. i'm guessing a blue whale at this point, lol. i'm amazed those delicate looking little goat legs can hold such a load. she's sturdier than she looks.
Chris, thank you. The delivery was such a relief. And yes, now Ziggy.
ReplyDeleteCassandra, thanks!
Sherri, I just can't get enough of watching them. :)
Jaime, agreed!
Su Ba, thank you! I was just happy for an easy delivery and healthy kids, but doelings are the icing on the cake.
Barb, excellent question. I've done some preliminary research on that very thing, but haven't taken any notes yet. My plan is to replace Elvis with a different Kiko buck (hopefully one about Alphie's age so they can become buds). That one will breed Surprise and Lily next fall. Ideally Surprise would have at least one doe and Lily one buckling. That would give me at least some genetic diversity to start. Line breeding is fairly common in the goat world, but there are some "rules," hence the need for research. When I start to get a grasp on it, I'll pass the information along.
Angie, thanks! Poor Ziggy, she doesn't even know how famous she's becoming. :)
Michelle, thank you! Looks like a really good page with lots of examples. I'm guessing the same colors and colorations apply to other goat breeds (?). Very interesting to look at.
Icebear, thanks! You're the second person who's said they need flower names. I'm mentally experimenting with names, trying to see which ones "fit." :)
I've heard those smaller breeds who have frequent multiples can have back trouble later in life. I hope that's not the case (and she does lie down a lot.)
I was noticing Alphie's size. I hope you've castrated him...
ReplyDeleteLaura, that's the Kiko in him. He's hefty too. These are some of the qualities I'm trying to bring to the Nubian/Kiko mix, so I will need him for breeding later on down the road.
ReplyDeleteYes, the color names are the same across the breeds. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle. It's good information.
ReplyDeleteYou're most welcome! :-)
ReplyDelete