April 26th had been a very busy day – grocery day & it’s trip to town had been delayed for a visit from some Pilgrim geese folks, so Thursday meant a trip to town. Groceries were purchased, along with an apple tree to honor Arbor day. We returned home, planted the tree & I began mowing in earnest to beat the predicted storms. Meanwhile Cole prepared all his gear for the next day’s turkey hunting.
Finally, all chores complete, we began chatting as we do, and as I gazed out over the pasture I noticed Image standing apart from the other girls. She seemed more uncomfortable than usual, and I decided we should bring her on in. Her due date was April 28, but when I put the lead on her she was making those characteristic gentle goat mommy noises… as if talking to her babies. About an hour after bringing her into the shed, she began pushing.
I was so excited to see that first little foot, until I took a second look and realized to was presented upside down! So either the kid was coming backward or somehow it was trying to be born head first while laying on it’s back. Wait, now I could see a nose pointed the right way and it was trying to breathe!. We had twins trying to come through the birth canal at the same time – one head first & front legs back along it’s side, the other back feet first.
Since the head first kid was already trying to breathe I knew if I tried to push him back he would likely fill his lungs with fluid so I decided to focus on him. But we were worried that if I let that foot slip all the way back in we might have another problem later. So I held the little hoof, but didn’t pull, and with my other hand gently pulled with Image’s pushes. She was a tough girl & we had the first kid out pretty quickly (though it seemed like forever). He was very tiny & limp, but breathing well. Cole took him to the table with our kidding kit and set about trying to get the little guy warmer & more alert. Meanwhile the second kid was coming FAST! Our daughter had to toss me a towel to catch him in & clear out his mouth & nose. This one had a LOT more energy & much to all of our relief he was the last kid.
The labor and delivery took a total of about 35-40 minutes. But it was certainly one of the more frightening. The second kid managed to get up and nurse a bit, but the little first born was so weak. I ended up giving colostrum by bottle for the first 18 hours. He didn’t stand on his own until about noon on Friday (so about 14 hours old). But by Saturday he was nursing from Image on his own and getting to know his younger, pushier brother. The boys are now a week old and they are doing terrific! Image is the most fantastic little mother, so careful & gentle.
I couldn’t be more pleased with the 2012 kids at Brown Fox Farm.
Alder and Rowan – You can see how much smaller Alder is. These boys are the first f4 generation Mini Nubians born at Brown Fox Farm. Alder will be available for sale at weaning.
