Monday, March 14, 2011

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise

I had a post already to go about the crazy things that went on with the animals yesterday and how I am blaming time change but..... the surprise of today will put that post off until later.

Yesterday as I was doing my hundreth butt check of the day I noticed Precious was getting a nice udder. She is a yearling, which means she hasn't kidded so shouldn't have much of one at all. William said he thought she was just getting a little larger one than other yearlings but nothing to worry about. Now remember I was dumb and put the 4 dwarf goats we got in with Precious and Buttons last fall. One of them was a buck. I wasn't thinking and so that left me not knowing when goats were bred or going to kid. Was I ever dumb! Never done that before nor will I do it again. But anyways, Precious wouldn't let Little Man have anything to do with her. I had written down in my day planner the dates I saw him try. Precious never showed any signs of being bred. She didn't get fat, she didn't have a full udder until yesterday and then it wasn't that full. William even bounced her yesterday just to make me happy. Bouncing is when you try to get the baby or babies to move or kick. He felt nothing and he has always been able to get them to kick or move a knee, etc. So this morning I go out to feed and everything is normal (well normal for my critters). William goes off to deliver eggs and plow a garden. I am sitting in the rocker feeding Lester when I hear over the baby monitor moaning. I hear it a few more times and tell Lester and Rusty I think one of the goats has gone into labor. Lester was almost finished with his bottle so I was going to wait and go out when he was done. The next instant I hear a loud moan and then a cry. I know that sound. A kid was being born right now! Poor Lester got sat on the floor, bottle tossed on the table as I grab my birthing kit and dash out the door. Precious had no idea what was happening to her and layed down behind the goat barn in the dirt. There was one foot and a nose and tongue sticking out. I shoo the dogs and other goats to the other pen, latch the gate and see what I can do. I have a large baby changing pad that works perfect for putting beneath the goats when kidding. Keeps the area out of dirt, hay, and cleaner for baby when born. Grab that from kit and see Precious cervix isn't dilated enough for the kids head. I hold the one foot and take my other hand to gently rub around the baby's head to dilate the cervix. I then reach in and find the other foot and bring it out. I keep rubbing around the cervix and soon the head is coming out. Precious had a BIG baby girl! Sorry I didn't think to grab the camera on my way out so these photos are of the baby at about 10 minutes old.

 I cleaned and suctioned the mouth, tied the cord while Precious just watched in disbelief of what she had just delivered. I lay the baby on a baby blanket in front of her and her mommy instints kick in. She starts cleaning and talking to the doeling like she has been a mommy forever. Within 5 minutes the kid was standing up and I moved them into a nice clean stall.



Gave Precious warm molasses water, grain, and hay. Baby was nursing like it was starving! I hooked up a heat lamp as its cool and windy today. Mom and daughter are doing outstanding. Precious is Diva's great granddaughter. Diva was my very first goat here at Hidden Haven.  And also the great granddaughter to my beloved Nitro.

I am so blessed to have their great, great granddaughter who's name is Little Diva but will be called Little D.

18 comments:

Ms Martyr said...

Such a darling fuzzy baby. I'm glad you were there to help with her delivery and that Precious is a good mommy. Poor Lester, he probably didn't know what hit him.

Unknown said...

Wow! Congratulations! She's a cutie!

Anonymous said...

How precious Little D is. I am so happy that everything went well and that you were there to help Precious.

Mom2fur said...

Surprise, surprise, huh? Isn't she the cutest thing? Congratulations on the new addition.

Denise said...

What a wonderful day at Hidden Haven! Congratulations :0)

Rain said...

Oh my goodness-she is beautiful!! Love her-and cant believe you had to do it alone-well you and Precious!!-thank the Lord everything went ok! Take care-Blessings till the next baby!!

Anonymous said...

What a special surprise! She is so cute...

Lamb said...

Aren't surprise babies wonderful?! Our little one here is doing fine, too, it's a little buck. We haven't decided what to name him.

Granny said...

Such cute pictures. I don't know who is more blessed, you for having such darling little goat babies or them for having such a loving, knowledgeable caretaker. Poor Lester is probably still wondering what happened.

Kelly said...

Oh Peggy what a happy day to have a bit of both Diva and Nitro again.

JoyceAnn said...

She's beautiful and absolutely perfect , how wonderful to have more of Ms. Diva and Nitro's bloodlines back at Hidden Haven. Glad all went well , it sounds almost like the scenario I had experienced last Friday.


~ Many Blessings ~

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the doeling!

Amy

DayPhoto said...

YAY! YAY! Happy DANCE!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Anonymous said...

Congrats! Adorable!

Lib said...

Congrats!
Love the bloodline back at Hidden Haven!
HAve a great day!
Blessins',Lib

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Congrats, Peggy.... You are the Grammy of alot of little goats this year... I'm SO happy for you and for Precious... Little D is adorable!!!!!!!

Bet William was surprised when he got home...
Hugs,
Betsy

Tossing Pebbles in the Stream said...

What fun a "surpris"e little goat. You remind me of similar efforts I did for first calves. A little worry, patience and some help all is well.

There were sad times too. I once had a calf that only half delivered with its hips caught in the cows pelvis. I did everything I could without success. By the time the vet arrived the large calf was dead. You should have seen how fast my son left when the vet cut the calf in three parts to get it out. I was left to help.
Sad and grim part of farming.

Meggie said...

SO glad I found a little time to check in here! What wonderful news Peggy. new hope and new life, wonderful!XX hugs.