For two weeks I have diligently watched with anticipation, as the biggest bellied (and uttered) goat I have ever seen, waddled around in preparation for her little ones. I was convinced that she was going to have triplets, but I was also convinced that she would have given birth two weeks ago.
Last night, I left work to go feed the goats and sheep. I got to the pasture about 5:45, and I saw “Mama” peep her head out of “the bunker” (as I call it). While the others were eating, I noticed Holly, the Great Pyrenees, was hanging close to the bunker. The fact that Mama didn’t come eat, and Holly was hanging close, made me realize that the babies were coming! I “fetched” a bucket of water from the pond, grabbed some hay, and a bucket of feed, and headed over to the bunker. Mama (and Holly for that matter), don’t usually like to be touched. They just don’t, and that’s OK, but on this night, Mama was different. I talked to her and petted her as she ate and “talked” in low, reassuring tones, unlike I had ever heard before.
Goat people say that when mamas start “calling to her her babies inside of her”, get ready. This mama was definitely telling her little ones to come on out with her calm, reassuring song.
Little did I know as I was talking to Mama and taking selfies, she was in active labor. When she turned around, she had a baby’s head sticking out! Now, I have never seen a goat have babies, but if a calf’s head is out with no feet showing….it’s not good. As in, you have to push the calf back in and find the feet?.
So….. the little one had no movement, and I thought it was dead. Mom looked at me like “please help me”, so….. Thankfully I had coveralls on because I crawled in to the bunker and gently pulled on the baby. Still no signs of life, and not budging a bit. I gently pushed the head back and found a knee….the front leg was bent under the baby and was wedged under mom’s pelvis. It was a relatively easy fix, thank you Jesus!
Once I straightened the leg out, the baby slid out, and it was BIG, and ALIVE! Mom and I rigorously cleaned and stimulated the little girl, and after my ritual of giving Vit B12/ Selenium, and dipping the umbilical cord, baby was up and nursing. I was afraid to leave because I knew AT LEAST one more was coming. By the time the second baby was delivered (uneventfully), and I was happy with the bedding, the nursing, and everything else it was 10:00!
Now I know that they have a good chance at life. We never know if they will make it, but I am satisfied that I have done all that I can to give them a good start! I pray that mom and babies continue to do well.
When I left, the babies had full bellies and were snugged in the hay. Mama was quietly talking to her babies, and now, they were talking to her too❤️.
