2017 Kids

Pippi and Matilda have both kidded! Super easy births with super healthy kids! Tilly had 1 buckling and Pippi had 2, making a grand total of 3 bucklings. Pippi's kidded on March 31st (one of her boys was HUGE!) and Tilly was April 6th. I already have homes lined up for all three of them, so unfortunately I won't have any kids available for sale this year. and those two being my only does this year, that wraps up the kidding season for me.

Kidding Supplies Checklists

Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds - Proverbs 27:23

With kidding season here I find it helpful to have a list of all the things I'll need. Even if you know, and have, all the needed supplies it is helpful to have a list handy as a reference, just to make sure you aren't forgetting something.
Or, if this is your first time breeding, it can give you confidence to  know that you are prepared.
 I've done the work for you and put this list together.

If you have anything to add or that you do differently, please leave a comment.

Kidding Supplies:

• Baby monitor (You will want to keep a monitor near the mother for the days approaching her due date. Get so you are familiar with the usual 'barn sounds' and if there's any difference, check on her. The kidding can be very quick, Keep the receiving end near you if you want to be there for it.)
• Kidding Stall/Pen/Crate (the doe should not be with the herd when she is kidding. She needs to be isolated in a separate, quiet space where she wont be bothered by nosy aunts) 
• Flashlight (for those "fun" Nighttime births)
• Lots of clean towels.
• Scissors (to cut the umbilical cord if it doesn't break or if it's too long)
• Iodine (to clean the cord)
• Unscented Floss (to tie off bleeding umbilical cords)
• Rubber gloves (I don't use gloves personally, but they could be helpful if you are squeamish at all. I know for a lot of people gloves are a must) 
• Infant Nasal Aspirator (to clear the kid's nose of womb slime)

These are just the basics. Many things can go wrong during a birth, in case of difficulty you will want to contact your vet.
Make sure that all your supplies are clean, don't use anything that's unsanitary.

Post Kidding Supplies - Mother:

• Molasses (I give the mother a mixture of hot water, molasses, and grain after the birth to give her extra energy - they love it!)
• Hot water and Hay (make sure she can get all that she wants.)

As important as it is that she gets her energy back, it is also important that the mother doesn't neglect her child. If the food is a distraction from her baby take it away till the kid is cleaned and well cared for. You can help her by wiping the kid/s off with a towel. Don't be afraid to wipe the baby down kind of roughly, it's actually good to and gets their blood flowing.

I have had does who want nothing to do with their kid (I have one doe who tried to stomp her kids) in that case take them away from her and don't let her be alone with them. You will have to take the roll of mamma goat.

Post Kidding Supplies - Kid:

• Goat Coat (or tiny dog coats. If you live in a warmer climate than I do this may not be necessary, but New England is cold! I keep coats on my baby goats almost 24/7 for the first couple weeks)
• Syringe (Colostrum is the first milk that the mother produces after birth and is packed full of vitamins, minerals, and proteins that will make sure the kid has a healthy start to life. That said, it is important the baby gets the colostrum. If it is too weak to nurse or stand you will have to milk out the mother and feed the kid with a syringe or tiny bottle.)
• Pritchard nipples and clean, empty soda bottles (You can either bottle feed your kids or you can let the mother raise them. If the mother refuses to raise them you will have to bottle feed. Bottle feeding also makes the kids much more friendly.)
• Kid Milk Replacer (if the mother doesn't produce enough milk, or if something has happened to the mother, you can use milk replacer. Just make sure the kid gets the colostrum after birth and make sure you get Kid Milk Replacer. Cow or Sheep milk would be bad for the kid and definitely avoid the bags that say they are "multi species". That's not good for kids at all. I use Manna pro Kid milk which you can get HERE) 

As I said, this is just the basics. There are any number of instances where you will need special equipment or veterinary assistance. 

I have also put together a simple milking list. You can milk with a machine or by hand. I milk by hand, so the list I have here is just for hand-milkers.

Hand Milking Supplies:

• Milking Stand
• Grain (the goat will most likely not stand for the milking if she doesn't have food)
• Iodine or udder wash (in a spray bottle to clean udder before and after milking. I have a gallon size jug of concentrated iodine which I bought 4 years ago and it's about half  empty. You can buy it at any feed store. There's also an udder wash concentrate HERE which in non-iodine)
• Paper Towels (to clean udder and any messes) 
• Stainless Steel Pan (you'll want one with a wide, flat bottom that the doe can't easily spill. I actually use a bread pan)
• Canning Jars (or other clean, sanitary container to store the milk in the fridge)
• Stainless Steel Funnel (you can buy funnels that are made to hold the filters and sit on the canning jars. That's the way to go.)
• Milk Filters (make sure you get the right size filters to fit in your funnel)

I hope this is helpful, let me know if I have left anything out or if you have anything to add. 

If you have any questions please leave a comment.

Free Printable Kidding Checklist 

THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE ANY PROFESSIONAL VETERINARY ADVICE. IN CASE OF DIFFICULTY OR CONCERN CONTACT YOUR VETERINARY IMMEDIATELY.

2016 Kids

I had a rather disappointing and unlucky spring. Most of the does that I bred didn't end up pregnant.
Faye kidded first, on May 18th. For her 4th time kidding she had one kid. a beautiful blue eyed doeling. Lacey kidded 10 days later, on the 28th, super early in the morning. It was her first freshening, with two little girls. One with blue eyes! And that's it. Just three adorable little girls this year.

Violet 

Faye's baby, Violet, has been sold to Tiny Hill Farm. So I'll be able to see her grown up and see what kids she has when she's bred in a year or so.

Faye's kid, Violet

Lacey's kids

Tawny

I still have Lacey's kids and am bottle feeding them to make them extra friendly.

Lacey didn't want anything to do with them when they were born, so I've been mamma goat since the first day! They are the cutest little things.

Cyan

Kid Update

Here's just an update on the kids I've had. Sometimes I feel like I post these more so I can keep track of all the kids rather than for any followers! The boys were born 5/2/15 Laura's first freshening. The girls are 5/4/15 and Faye's, oh..... I'm gonna say 3rd freshening? Yep that sounds about right :) Boys are for sale, I'll be keeping on of the does (Not yet sure which one) and will be selling the other at a later time. 

Peewee from Tiny Hill Farm is their father.

 I do name all the kids I have born. Anyone who buys a goat from me is more than welcome to call it whatever they want. I just name them because it's easier for me to keep track of everyone from year to year than, say... calling them 10, 11, and 12.

Arnie

Mr. I'm-too-cool-for-picture-day Aaron wouldn't stand still, so this is the best picture I could get of him. I will try to get another at bottle time! 

Missie (She seemed to like the camera and posed for it!)

Marty

I have at least one more doe bred and due by the end of this month.\

I will be adding some of these kids to the For Sale page as soon as I have more information and am certain of which ones will still need homes. In the meantime feel free to contact me (See Contact Page) with any questions.


ADDED
I got a better picture of Aaron as well as a great picture of Arnie, who is a little more photogenic than his brother!

Aaron

Arnie

Lillian

My first kid of the season was born yesterday. One little girl. Her parents are Elesmèra and Linus (from Tiny Hill Farm). Unfortunately she was born with an extra teat and can't be bred. I will be selling her as a pet. If anyone is interested in an adorable Nigerian Dwarf doeling please let me know. We'll be calling her Lillian while she's here.

Due Dates

My does are all bred (fingers crossed)
Due dates are:
Pippi - March 20 - Linus
Laura - March 23 - Linus*
Faye - March 26 - Linus
Elesmera - March 29 - Linus
Matilda - May 1 - Peewee
Faye - May 2 - Peewee*
Laura - May 2 - Peewee
Margaret - May 23 - Peewee
Lacey - May 23-25 - Peerwee

Linus and Peewee are both from Tiny Hill Farm

If you are interested in Nigerian Dwarf goats please let me know. I will have Doelings, Young Wethers, and possibly Does in Milk for sale. You can let me know of your interest ahead of time and I can keep you posted personally. If you have any questions feel free to ask. (See contacts page)

*Faye and Laura each have two due dates. The marked two are the most likely dates.

Rugen

I thought this was an adorable picture of Count Rugen. 

So I actually sold Rugen, my cousin bought him! He will be staying here though, so I get to love on him :) He's so cute. I also sold Thornton. and honestly, good riddance. And I've still got the two girls. I'll try to get some pictures of them soon.   

Pink Saturday

I couldn't get as good a picture of her as I had hoped, she's a squirmy little girl! And they are blurry :( But here is Lacey decked out in her pink bunny costume! Happy Pink Saturday all!

Pippi's Babies

Pippi Kidded the afternoon of the 24th. She had a girl and a boy both of which were huge and strong right away. It doesn't really surprise me, considering their mother. I brought out all my newborn baby goat coats and none of them fit! They are wearing the same size coats as my three week old babies! The girl is the red, brown colored on, and the boy is the creamy, Palomino. Neither have any moon spots at all, the only real marking is a dark line down the doeling's spine. I named them Lacey and Rugen. Count Tyrone Rugen to be precise. That's the name of the six fingered man in Princess Bride, in case you were wondering! They are both beautiful! They are easily my favorite babies I've ever had born. I will be hanging on to Lacey and I can't even tell you how much I want to keep Rugen. I have to control myself though, keeping a boy is out of the question...But that doesn't mean I don't want to :) Lacey is very cute though, and they both have such sweet temperaments! 

Lacey

Rugen

Crazy mamma goat

Pippi and the Babies

Babies, about half an hour old

Elesmera kidded also, she had one little doeling. Unfortunately there was something wrong with her when she was born and she only lived to be about twenty-four hours old. I named her Jane. 

Jane

Margaret and Thornton

          Faye kidded yesterday While I was working at the Library. My mom and sister delivered them. Margaret is the Buckskin and Thornton is black and white. I'm very tempted to be keeping Margaret. Faye's udder is even more amazing than it was last year. Either way, she's not going any where very soon. They are both very lively for only just being borne. Unlike Matilda's babies, who are still quite mellow. Thornton is really shy but already playing with the other kids! 

         Fezzik and Vezzini left last night. I do miss them a little, but Buttercup, Westley, Margaret, and Thornton are more than enough to keep me occupied. 

Buttercup

I went out side to feed the goats and Buttercup was sitting like this. I opened the door and she just continued sitting! It wasn't till I put my camera away that she actually stood up. This sitting, actually runs in her family. Her aunt and her grandmother both do it frequently. So Cute. I love the 'Patch' under her eye. 

Matilda's Babies

Buttercup's first steps

Matilda kidded on the 28th around three thirty in the afternoon.  She had a girl and a boy, and they are so darn tiny!  I'm calling them Buttercup and Westley. Tilly is such a good mamma, and she doesn't mind Leipchen's kids in there with her at all.

Baby Westley, a couple hours old

Tilly cleaning Westley

Fezzik welcoming his new aunt into the world

Westley two days old

Mamma and grandma

Update on the boys

Fezzik and Vezzini are doing great! They are almost three weeks old now and they have the biggest personalities. I don't actually think I'll miss them when they go. Sure I love em and they're adorable, but someone else will love them too. And besides,  there are many more coming!
And yes, Fezzik is in a pink shirt. I didn't have a boys' coat that would fit him.

Baby goats borne today

 Leipchen kidded this morning around 10 am. She had two Adorable boys!

We are calling the grey one Fezzik and the buckskin Vezzini. Any one seen The Princess Bride?(Shame on you if you haven't)

     So this is my first kids this year, hopefully a sure sign of Winter coming to a close.

Both of these gosh darn cute babies will be for sale in a couple weeks when they are old enough. And I hope to have many more real soon! I know Larissa at Tiny Hill Farm will also be selling many kids this year.

 

 

 

Leipchen pulled the same trick she did last year. She had them without me. 

I had just come in the barn from checking on her and not ten minutes later I plug the monitor in and I hear babies crying. She had already had them both! 

 

 

 

All Dried Off Now

February update

We had a fresh dusting of snow last night. Just enough to need shoveling. 

So now that the due dates are growing nearer I am able to tell that all of them are bred except for Laura. I'm trying to get her bred again which would make her due in July. Babies in July could prove to be challenging, it's very off season, I'd rather her be bred than not though. 

Leipchen, who we weren't sure was bred at all, is most certainly pregnant, and I'm guessing she's due much sooner rather than later. I think she should be one of the first to kid. I'm excited about this kidding season coming up, although I can easily wait for it. I know so many people who are impatiently, and desperately waiting for  spring's arrival. I personally love winter. Chores are so easy in the winter! It's like my brake before I'm swamped with baby goats to feed and cranky does to milk!

Don't talk with your mouths full!