May 9, 2014

Kidding: Last But Not Least, Zoey!

Zoey and twins, buckling on the left, doeling on the right.

Yesterday afternoon I gathered up the goats for evening milking but noticed Zoey wasn't there. Knowing she was due to kid in three days I went looking for her. I scanned the pasture and saw her in the far corner. Was everything all right?


If she'd isolated herself, it could only mean one thing. As I got closer, I noticed a little brown thing standing next to her. I picked up my pace. Then I saw a little white thing on the ground behind her. I started running.

These are second generation Kikobians, a Nigerian, Nubian, Kiko mix.

Twins! Not only that, but they were both completely dry and she'd already delivered the placenta. I was shocked I'd missed it but relieved everyone was all right.

It was hard getting her to leave that spot, even though I was carrying her twins and sticking them right under her nose. We finally got to a clean, comfy, safe stall and I got the new little family settled in.


She has a boy and a girl, and is a good first time mama.

That wraps up kidding season for the year with 10 healthy kids: 4 bucklings and 6 doelings. We had a couple of close calls, but all are well and thriving. I feel very blessed.

Kidding: Last But Not Least, Zoey! © May 2014 
by Leigh at http://www.5acresandadream.com/
on

20 comments:

  1. DawnMay 9, 2014 at 12:40 AM

    What a loving closing chapter to the kidding season, she looks so proud of her babies.

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  2. Frugal in Derbyshire May 9, 2014 at 5:34 AM

    That last picture is brilliant!
    Kidding over and all present and correct. What a good result. I bet you are relieved.
    How's the planting going? Only just starting here really as we have had so many other projects taking up out time. (and yet ANOTHER swarm of bees!)
    Gill

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  3. UnknownMay 9, 2014 at 6:23 AM

    Leigh, you are very blessed. Just look around you. Truly blessed.

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  4. helenabelleMay 9, 2014 at 6:46 AM

    Oh my goodness! I love the last picture you posted. What a sweet little family and a very strong mama! The little buckling is just precious, well they both are...He is going to be so handsome!

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  5. Woolly BitsMay 9, 2014 at 8:40 AM

    I agree, that last picture is lovely, they all look content (I know it's humanizing animals, but she looks as if she's smiling:) and well looked after... enjoy your herd:)

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  6. Mom at homeMay 9, 2014 at 10:26 AM

    She sure does look content. Now the raising begins! They are a beautiful color.

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  7. Felecia CofieldMay 9, 2014 at 10:44 AM

    Hi Leigh! The babies are so cute! They're Momma looks proud! Love the pics! Are these dairy goats? Just wondering what they're purpose is. Thanks for sharing! Happy Mother's Day! Blessings from Bama!

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  8. Sandy LivesayMay 9, 2014 at 1:18 PM

    Leigh,

    Congratulations!!!! Zoey looks like a proud Mama, and the babies are so adorable.

    You're very blessed!!!

    Sandy

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  9. tpalsMay 9, 2014 at 4:15 PM

    I think it looks like she is winking at us in the last picture. :) A lovely family.

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  10. IzzyMay 9, 2014 at 4:35 PM

    What a great surprise! So happy for all of you!

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  11. MarkMay 9, 2014 at 9:07 PM

    Congrats, Leigh! What a cute little pair and that from a first time mama! Wonderful picture, too. We worried about our first calf heifers the same way when we had cattle. Twins are very rare in beef cattle though, and we bred for easy calving rather than high birth weight. I'm thinking about goats as a retirement endeavor.

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  12. BillMay 9, 2014 at 9:09 PM

    Wonderful! What a good-looking pair they are. I'm glad your kidding season went so well. Most of our mamas kidded in the dead of winter. Now is a much better time.

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  13. LeighMay 9, 2014 at 10:16 PM

    Thank you everyone. It's so much fun to share good news like this with people who appreciate it. Zoey is a proud mama, LOL

    Gill, Zoey's blessed event pre=emtped my next gardening post. More on spring planting next!

    Felecia, my goal is a dual purpose goat. Since we do eat meat and milk it makes more sense to have one breed rather than two on our small acreage.

    Mark, I would go for easier calving (kidding) too. We might have considered a cow or two, but really don't have the pasture for them. Goats work better on what we've got and are very versatile, not to mention highly entertaining!

    Bill, so far so good. Flies are a nuisance, but everyone is warm and well. :)

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  14. Cozy Thyme CottageMay 9, 2014 at 10:27 PM

    Love the pictures of the twins and Mama! All is well that ends well. Glad everything turned out okay. Nancy

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  15. SarahMay 9, 2014 at 10:38 PM

    Leigh- so glad that the entire season went well! I love the first pic. The doeling has a "hey ma- quit fussing! We're just fine" expression.

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  16. AnonymousMay 9, 2014 at 11:14 PM

    Good girl Zoey! It is a challenge getting them to abandon the place they gave birth in, isn't it. The new babies look great, and you all should be proud.

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  17. AnonymousMay 10, 2014 at 6:51 AM

    What a good momma! You have been blessed this year with all those gorgeous babies!

    http://caffeinatedhomestead.weebly.com/blog.html

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  18. Farmer BarbMay 10, 2014 at 7:26 AM

    I didn't know goats could smile for the camera, but I swear she is doing it!

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  19. NinaMay 10, 2014 at 4:11 PM

    They are beautiful. I did so need pictures of something so sweet and lovely today.

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  20. QuinnMay 11, 2014 at 9:33 PM

    Awww! You're done and I'm just about to get started! But only two does bred this year, so nothing like your gang :)
    I love the buck's color, but the little girl looks just like here mama, doesn't she? So sweet!

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