The Goat Stork Flies Again
Here is an update on how our pregnant does are doing. I thought I would give you a pictorial that covers the past few months. We have three does that will be having kids somewhere between February 23rd and March 7th.
The first doe that is due is Velvet, on or about February 23rd. This will be her second year to kid. Last year she had a large single doe.
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| January 1, 2014 |
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| January 1, 2014 |
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| February 5, 2014 |
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| February 5, 2014 |
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| February 5, 2014 |
The next doe that will kid is Ivory, on or about March 2nd. Last year she had her first kids which were twins, a doe and a buck.
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| January 1, 2014 |
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| February 5, 2014 |
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| February 5, 2014 |
And the last doe to kid will be Copper. This will be her first time to kid.
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| January 1, 2014 |
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| January 1, 2014 |
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| February 5, 2014 |
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| February 5, 2014 |
This really cold weather we are having is keeping the goats in the barn more than they would like. Today the high has been about 18 degrees which is really cold for this part of the country. Nubians are warm weather goats and we are concerned how this weather may be affecting these pregnant does. Time will tell.
We pray everyone is able to stay warm and safe through the rest of this harsh winter. It's hard to really try and think about a collapse situation when the weather is so very cold. If things were to collapse during this dangerously cold weather, it would be devastating for many, many people. But it's kind of like have goat kids, we don't always get to choose when they come.
Until next time - Fern
Looks like two sets of twins and a single coming up. So happy for you...babies are wonderful, whether they belong to people or animals.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you. It does look like two sets of twins and one single. You must know your goats.
DeleteFern
Hi Fern! Thanks for sharing the update! The does are so pretty! We have Nigerian Dwarfs and tomorrow the girls get to meet the boys, if you know what I mean! We are excited, as this will be our first experience with 'kids'! I hope they get bred and have babies this summer. I so want to milk the does, if it works out.Still need a milking stand though. Our weather has been unusually cold too. But today and tomorrow we will experience 45 and 56! So glad to finally see the sun today! Hope Frank is better with those shingles! Have a nice weekend! Blessings from Bama!
ReplyDeleteFelecia, Frank built our milk stand. We looked up several different styles on the internet, then incorporated what we liked and put it together. There are just about as many different milk stands as there are people.
DeleteWe made it up to 32* today and are supposed to be above freezing for several days to come. It did snow some more today, though. I look forward to seeing the sun tomorrow for the first time in too many days.
Frank is getting better everyday. Thank you for asking.
Fern
Good luck with your kidding. We have had one ewe lamb and two more to go anytime. It is below zero temps at night! This has been one harsh winter!
ReplyDeleteThe rest of our ewes and our goats are not due until April, I hope it warms up by then!
Thank you, Sandra. I hope your lambs are doing well. I'm counting on it being warmer by the end of February and beginning of March. I don't want to try to deal with baby goats in these freezing temperatures.
DeleteStay warm.
Fern
Watch for frostbite on baby ears....I used to have that issue when calving out my purebred cattle in January. My trick was sleeves cut off old sweatshirts, cut out eye holes and then slide the over the babies head..the cuff would be around the nose and the long sleeve would cover the ears and neck. The wet ears would dry by the calves body heat and stay safe from frostbbite. I think kids sweat shirt sleeves would fit a baby goat. [they look so odd] It saved many an ear and helped keep calves warm. I am not sure if it applies but I thought it might help.
ReplyDeleteSo far, Fiona, I have never had any problems with frostbite on baby goat ears. Thank you for sharing this information. It may come in very handy for someone.
DeleteFern
Oh - I love goats! My hubby and I are trying to decide if we will get some. One day we say yes, because we want all that fresh milk. But then the next day we decide not to because we don't want to worry about them when we go on a trip somewhere! Decisions, decisions! I can't wait to see the babies when they are born!
ReplyDeleteVickie,
DeleteHaving livestock is a life style choice. All baby animals are cute, but they do grow up and need constant care. And sometimes things don't work out the way you want them to, like when One Stripe had her babies early and they all died. It is a big responsibility with lots of benefits and fun.
Fern