The Kids Are On the Way

We are getting ready for a new season of kids!  All three of our does are very large with kids and Splat is first, due in the next week.  Splat is the queen of our herd and our best milker.  She gives a lot!  I'm looking forward to seeing what Dancer and Smores will do this year, also.  They were first timers last year and we'll see if their milk production will come close to Splat's records.  We sure are missing our milk and cheese around here!

Our does are enjoying alfalfa and orchard grass, In Season grain, free choice minerals, kelp and baking soda, handfuls of black sunflower seeds and woodland browse.  They sure love the salal and blackberries.

I think we have everything in order:  towels, molasses, baby monitor.....  It's always hard to know *exactly* what to have on hand for emergencies.  From talking to other goat folks, I have things in my herbal and medicine cabinet, but honestly there are times when THE thing you need happens to be what you're not equipped with.  Sometimes rotten things happen regardless of how ready or prepared you think you are.  And sometimes you have everything on hand with a dozen years of experience and still things go awry.  What I have found in our goat-communities is a lot of love and grace for those things that don't go as well as we hope, even when it is our own error.  There's always someone who has been there, done that (and then they give you their private telephone number so you can chat!). You sure learn a lot of humility raising these wonderful animals, too.

I'm not sure there will ever be a time we enter into this season without soberness and a bit of anxiety.  But it sure is helpful to know that ultimately these creatures are God's and we are just their caretakers.  We are praying for a sweet season, and for lovely homes for the kids when the time is right.

If you are interested in getting put onto a waiting list (no pressure to buy), feel free to contact me and we can do that.  If you know much about kinders, they usually sell fast!  We sure do love our goats.  Check back in soon; I hope to have news of successful kidding to share with you!

If you are not nearby, you can check out the new Kinder Goat Herd Map and find a breeder closest to you.

Preparing for Kids

 Some kids from 2011

There are a lot of pregnant females around our home and yard.  For one, I am overdue with baby number seven, and my four Kinder does are due to kid starting in two weeks.  Here is how I've been preparing for my goats to kid. This is only our second year of kidding, and so we are still learning.  I also know that everyone has *their* way of doing things, whether it's with goats or honeybees or whatnot; we're just trying to see what works for us in the environment we are in, and we're thankful for lessons and grace when we make mistakes.

About a month before, I gave my goats a tetanus shot.  They've never been vaccinated before but my confidence with tetanus has waned due to the pasture conditions we currently have (and are working to fix).  And because our soil condition is so poor, I supplement also with a bit of selenium and vitamin E (5ml, gel).  We raise our animals as organically as possible, but we also have to work around less-than-perfect conditions too.

I began feeding my does a cup of organic goat grain in addition to the alfalfa hay.  I'm not sure I won't lay off the alfalfa next time towards the end; I wonder if it's too much protein at this point.  The goats are just now getting access to wooded forage (finally!), and I always have free-choice minerals(MannaPro, and Diamond Yeast Culture) and baking soda on hand for them all. Once a week, year round, we worm all of our goats with an excellent herbal wormer (from Fias Co Farm).

I kept records of when breeding occurred, so I have a good idea of when kidding is due for each doe.  This helps me to be sure to stay home, so that I can be available to help if necessary and to encourage just with my voice and presence (which IS necessary in my mind).  I have a baby monitor that I will put into the barn so that I can hear if anything is going on, from the house.

I have phone numbers of goat friends ready, and a birth kit assembled.  I know I can't have everything for every imaginable need, but I do have some supplies on hand:

• towels for drying off the kids noses and helping to stimulate them
• molasses to add to drinking water for the mama for extra nutrients
• scissors, iodine, and a small cup for cutting and dipping the umbilical cord
• a working flashlight (if you have children around, you may understand that not all flashlights are working when you need them....if you can find them...)
• betadine, rubber gloves, and lubrication in case the birth process needs assistance.  In that same vein, I have penicillin ready to give to the mama if I do go need to assist.  I hope I never have to assist!
• garbage bags for the afterbirth; I don't want it hanging around attracting predators and really don't think my doe needs to eat it
• neck bands to keep track of kids
• a scale is fun to weigh the kids with
• B12, bovi sera (10 SQ), and nutri-drench in case my doe needs a pick-me-up at any time
• syringe tube or bottle (to supplement or to feed 2-4oz, every 2-4 hours if necessary), bovi sera (5cc), and selenium/vit E if the kids are weak or unable to nurse.   I might give the kids a pea-size amount of Fastrack to get their guts going, too.  I'll be watching them closely especially for the first few days to a couple of weeks.

Ahead of the birth-date, I'll have the stall for the kidding completely clean, and a little kid hut hideaway ready.  Also, although I am usually hands-on with all of my goats, I make it a point to regularly touch and handle the expectant mama's udder too, especially if they are first-timers.  

Next, I'll post our plans for the actual kidding and afterwards.  Unless, of course, I have a baby myself tomorrow (smile).